1. Science Progression Chart
Courses Available to 9th graders:
10th
11th
12th
Earth Science
(both levels)
Biology
Biology & Chemistry
Chemistry/ AP Biology
AP Environmental Science
Environmental Explorations
Physics
GIS (DE)
AP Sciences
ISR
GIS
Env. Explorations
Research Biology
(only)
Chemistry
AP Biology or AP Chemistry
AP Sciences (except AP Environmental)

2. General Information for Rising 9th Graders
What makes a course a “Research Course”?
All research sciences are the new version of Honors courses. They focus on scaffolded research skills and require a semester-long research project to be presented at the school-wide Science Symposium. All research courses offer a 0.5 GPA bump.
What is the difference between Research Earth Science & Research Biology?
The actual subject– biology focuses on life sciences and microbiology and earth science focuses on all earth systems and how they interact. Earth has a little of all science strands!
Both courses teach different sets of research skills. Skipping Earth would require you to be proficient in the skills that you missed by skipping the course.
Earth science is a prerequisite for AP Environmental science, which is an Earth Science course despite the amount of biology also present in the curriculum.
SOL Science Courses
Earth Science
Biology
Chemistry
Diploma Requirements
Advanced- follow “4-3-2 rule”
(4 science courses, 3 strands, 2 SOLs passed
Standard- follow “3-2-2 rule” (3 science courses, 2 strands, 2 SOLs passed)
Science Strands & Courses Offered
Earth Science: Earth Science (research & academic) & AP Environmental
Biology: Biology (research & academic), Environmental Explorations & AP Biology
Chemistry: Chemistry (research & academic) & AP Chemistry
Physics: Physics (DE & conceptual) & AP Physics
Science Electives
- GIS I & II DE (general elective)
- ISR (science elective)

3. AP Environmental Science
What is
APES?
Course Topics
Debate/Case Studies
Are Humans On A Sustainable Path?
Are we causing global warming?
Air Pollution & Ozone Depletion
Ecology & Human sustainability
Is “Organic” food worth the cost?
Farming vs. Logging vs. Ecotourism in the Amazon
Energy Efficiency & Resources
In this class you will learn about the interrelationships in the natural world, how to identify and analyze natural and human-made environmental problems, and how to determine risks and solutions associated with these problems.
Land Use & Forestry
Population Dynamics
Water Resources & Pollution
Food Security & Agriculture
What is the science behind Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s)? Pros/cons?
Climate Change
Energy Sources – crops, algae, fossil fuels, wind or solar?
Solid & Hazardous Waste
Students who have not taken an Earth Science course are not eligible to take this course as an 11th or 12th grader.
See Mrs. Blessing or Ms. Hennessey in room 1505 for questions & details!!!
AP Environmental Science
A new course at RRHS as of school year
Environmental Science Related Jobs
Air Quality Specialist Alternative Energy Specialist Aquaculture Bioprospecting Climate Change Specialist Ecologist Ecotourism Specialist Environmental Architect Environmental Chemist Environmental Economist Environmental Educator
Environmental Engineer Environmental Journalist Environmental Lawyer Environmental Nanotechnology Forester Fuel Cell Technology Geographic Information Systems Specialist
Field Trips & Outdoor Labs
Hydrogen Energy Specialist Hydrogeologist Indoor Air Pollution Specialist Industrial Ecology Infectious Disease Prevention Integrated Pest Management Limnology - a Career in Inland Waters Marine Scientist Organic Farmer Paleontologist Reconciliation Ecology Restoration Ecology Specialist Rooftop Garden Design Soil Scientist Solar Cell Technology Water Conservation Specialist Water Quality Specialist
Biodiversity at RRHS
Air Quality and Your Vehicle
AKA Wallops Island
Water Pollution Control Facility
Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve
Water Quality Testing
Soil Testing
Canoeing on the Shenandoah River