Science Core Curriculum

Designed for students in grades 11 and 12, this course gives students a first-hand glimpse into modern agriculture, using lessons and hands-on activities that bring to life critical issues in sustainability, the science behind farming, organic farming principles, and entrepreneurship. In this course, students investigate more deeply the importance of soil health, soil types, basic chemistry as applied to soil science, weather trends, impacts on modern agriculture, and the impact of erosion. Students explore botany, understanding the biology, structure, life cycle, and growth needs of plants, with emphasis on the harvest cycle of plants. Students learn about plant reproduction, pollination, fertilization, and the impact of invasive plants in native habitats in our area. The role of the nitrogen cycle, composting, aquaponics, land and water conservation, and climate change are interwoven threads recurring throughout the course.

Designed for students in grades 11 and 12, this course gives students a first-hand glimpse into modern agriculture, using lessons and hands-on activities that bring to life critical issues in sustainability, the science behind farming, organic farming principles, and entrepreneurship. In this course, students investigate more deeply the importance of soil health, soil types, basic chemistry as applied to soil science, weather trends, impacts on modern agriculture, and the impact of erosion. Students explore botany, understanding the biology, structure, life cycle, and growth needs of plants, with emphasis on the harvest cycle of plants. Students learn about plant reproduction, pollination, fertilization, and the impact of invasive plants in native habitats in our area. The role of the nitrogen cycle, composting, aquaponics, land and water conservation, and climate change are interwoven threads recurring throughout the course.

This course provides an introduction to Astronomy through individual, collaborative, as well as web-based tutorial-guided activities. The course will survey major concepts of Astronomy such as star formation, evolution of planetary and galactic systems, gravity and the role it plays in shaping up our universe as a whole, light and how its spectra allow us to observe the universe in a variety of ways using corresponding telescopes and data collection devices. Latest astronomical observations, results from recent space missions, and undergoing research in this ever-changing field will both guide as well as allow students to keep abreast with the progress Astronomy undergoes, which in turn improves their understanding of humanity's place in this magnificent cosmos. In addition, this course fosters the idea of becoming good readers of scientific literature and the writing of scientific journals and reflections.

Evolutionary biology provides a framework for understanding everything from ecology to human physiology and genetics. This course takes advantage of the expansive and diverse outdoor study areas on campus and off. Ecosystem biology frames the fall semester, concluding with a creative expression of knowledge and concern for endangered species. The content moves indoors and online in the spring for cellular biology, genetics and human physiology. We close the year with a unit on botany and local food production.

In this science course, students explore the complexities of regenerative agriculture through the lens of documentary film study and with an engaging hands-on science experience. The course is targeted toward 9th and 10th grade students. This course will fulfill the requirements for science.

The course begins with a focus on ecosystem biology by exploring the importance of our natural and native ecosystems and how they play a critical role in our food systems and local agricultural production. Students will understand the interconnectedness among the soil, water, air, plants, human health, climate change, and the delicate balance that must exist in order for regenerative agriculture to not only provide healthy food but also to help heal the planet and the ecosystems for which we live.

We then will explore the impact of agriculture's global impacts across the planet. From small scale local ecosystems to large scale regions, we will look at the way that agriculture impacts all living beings and the critical role that agriculture plays in climate change across the globe.

We will end the semester discussing the impacts of agriculture on human health and nutrition. In doing so, we will explore how what we eat, and how it's grown, impacts the human body, mind, and overall health of each one of us. Positing regenerative agriculture in the center of the human diet can help lead to many answers when it comes to understanding the best, most healthy choices for human diets.

Throughout the course, students will conduct labs, experiments, have hands-on experiences, and engage in science content while utilizing documentary-style film to guide some content themes of the course.

In this science course, students explore the complexities of regenerative agriculture through the lens of documentary film study and with an engaging hands-on science experience. The course is targeted toward 9th and 10th grade students. This course will fulfill the requirements for biology.

First, the course begins with an American historical overview of the methodologies utilized in agriculture in the early 1900s that quickly led to degraded land, a reliance on abundant pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, and a fear of what the natural world may provide when it comes to challenging the success, abundance, and financial gains of agricultural harvests.

The course then explores the concept of regenerative farming. Students will understand the interconnectedness among the soil, water, air, plants, human health, climate change, and the delicate balance that must exist in order for regenerative agriculture to not only provide healthy food but to also help heal the planet. We will explore the vital role that plants play on earth and spend time investigating botany, as well as the role of animals in regenerative farming.

We will end the semester discussing the impacts of agriculture on human health and nutrition. We will consider the introduction of GMOs, synthetic lab-created meat products, the growing nutritional push for plant-based diets, and the challenge that we face when selecting what to eat. Throughout the course, students will conduct labs and experiments, with hands-on experiences while utilizing documentary-style film to guide some content themes of the course.

This course offers students a modern, relevant course in high school level chemistry. The program combines the theory and concepts of chemistry with practical applications for a basic program for high school students. Atomic structure, chemical bonding, and molecular changes are unifying concepts. Demonstrations and laboratory activities are an integral part of the course, emphasizing quantitative as well as qualitative relationships. Students explore particular topics in chemistry of special or personal interest through a variety of research projects. A strong mathematics background is recommended.

In Ecology, students learn basic ecological concepts. While wading, hiking, and snowshoeing, the class studies the abundant stream, lake, bog, swamp, marsh, dune, field and forest habitats of the area. The course is presented as a synthesis of the naturalist's sensitivity and the ecologist's understanding of the natural world. From frequent contact with and exposure to nature firsthand, it is hoped that students gain an awareness and appreciation of the beauty and interdependence within the natural world. The primary goal of the course is the development of an ecological ethic. Snowshoes and waders are provided, but sensible outdoor clothing is required for morning and cool-weather outdoor classroom experiences.

This course is an introduction to Forensic Science. Basic ideas of Forensic Science such as Locard's Exchange Principle, fingerprinting, spectrum analysis, blood spatter, document analysis, ballistics and firearms, are introduced, defined, and shown how they may be used to solve a variety of actual crime scenes. Students should expect to be challenged to complete and solve case studies involving crime scenes. The course features labs and hands-on activities as well as a variety of media that facilitate the understanding of forensics.

Students explore the biological sciences from the macro end of biology (ecology and evolution) to the micro end of biology (cells and organelles). Students who successfully complete this course receive university credit from Indiana University. Students survey the biological sciences at the college level, with an emphasis on how the content applies to human beings. The syllabus, laboratories and assessments are defined by Indiana University. At the university level, this course is intended for non-science majors; at Interlochen, it is especially intended for seniors and post-graduates who seek to leave the Academy with transferable college credit. The pre-requisites are high school courses in biology, chemistry, and Algebra II. Students who complete this course may select to earn both high school and college credit, transcripted by Indiana University and transferable to any other college or university.

This course emphasizes the comprehension of fundamental chemistry concepts by introducing material within the context of how and why it was developed. It will focus on applications of basic chemical principles and problem solving strategies via hands-on laboratories. The goal of this course is to help students make sense of chemistry by promoting comprehension, problem solving, and critical thinking. Applications of concepts from this class will also be explored. This course can fulfill college general education requirements or prepare students planning on majoring in science for future college chemistry classes. The syllabus, laboratories and assessments are defined by Indiana University. Students who complete this course may select to earn both high school and college credit, transcripted by Indiana University and transferrable to many colleges and universities.

This course emphasizes the comprehension of fundamental chemistry concepts by introducing material within the context of how and why it was developed. It will focus on applications of basic chemical principles and problem solving strategies via hands-on laboratories. The goal of this course is to help students make sense of chemistry by promoting comprehension, problem solving, and critical thinking. Applications of concepts from this class will also be explored. This course can fulfill college general education requirements or prepare students planning on majoring in science for future college chemistry classes. The syllabus, laboratories and assessments are defined by Indiana University. Students who complete this course may select to earn both high school and college credit, transcripted by Indiana University and transferrable to many colleges and universities.

This is a learner-centered, activity-based, and modeling-oriented introductory physics course. Students learn special theory of relativity, basic quantum mechanics, classical mechanics, optics, electricity and magnetism, and waves and sound. Students conduct experiments, discuss processes and results, discover laws themselves, apply learned material by completing STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) projects. Students engage in group activities both in and outside of class.