1. Future Freshmen (Class of 2015!) & Parents … Welcome to Science!
Tonight we will…
Present the NVHS Science Department’s values, beliefs and core expectations of the science student
Present the “typical” sequence of science courses
Provide clarification to your questions and concerns regarding your child’s future as a science student of NVHS

2. Neuqua Valley Science Department
Believes…
Science education allows students to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary for making decisions about the natural world and their role in it.
Values…
Science reasoning skills
Increasing understanding of how world works
Fostering curiosity
Building awareness of how elements of nature impact each other

3. Selecting an Appropriate Course
“Allows success while challenging ability”
The Uniquely Qualified 8th Grade Teacher
Familiar with strengths and weaknesses
Aware of scope, sequence, and cognitive demands that Freshman Biology places on students
The Explore Test (Honors = 20 composite score)
Science Test: reasoning skill, data interpretation, graphical analysis, evaluate experimental designs and conclusions
Reading Test

4. Greenhouse Mngmnt and Floral Design …Plus the others listed ABOVE
Biology
Honors Biology
10th
Chem / Physics
Chemistry
Honors Chemistry
Astronomy AP Environmental Genetics
AP Chemistry AP Biology Anatomy/Physiology
Horticulture
11th
Earth Science
Physics
Honors Physics
Electives
AP Physics
Greenhouse Mngmnt and Floral Design
…Plus the others listed ABOVE
12th
A Typical Student Science Sequence

5. Freshmen Courses Biology and Honors Biology
Emphasis on Inquiry
College preparatory introduction to study of life
Honors Biology
Inquiry based instruction
Generally moves at a faster pace and explores some content in greater detail
Considerably greater daily preparation and independent learning

6. Recommendations Honors Biology
Student needs to meet all three of the following:
8th grade science evaluation of B or better
Composite Score of 20 on the EXPLORE Test
Middle school teacher recommendation
Independence and maturity in lab situations
Proficiency in organizing and interpreting data and graphs
Self motivation
Above average in reading and comprehension skills
Above average in verbal and written communication

7. Comparison of Courses Expectations and Assessments
Biology
Honors Biology
Homework
Narrow scope, building connections between concepts, guided practice in class…
Student directed, Independent, college habits developed…
Labs
Inquiry based, good reasoning skills, 3-4 formal lab reports
Inquiry or research based,
Strong reasoning skills. Greater number of major projects.
Assessments
Smaller quizzes, larger unit tests, final exams
Guided class study preparation
Independent study preparation

8. Sophomore Courses Recommendations
10th
Chemistry
See Sophomore Science Recommendation Flowchart
Intention of taking Physics next year
Honors Chemistry
Intention of taking Honors Physics or Physics next year
AP Environmental Science
A in Biology OR took Honors Bio
Astronomy (semester)
Recommend Chem/Physics, Chemistry
Chem/Physics
None

9. Sophomore Courses 10th Sophomore Science Recommendation Flowchart
FRESHMAN SCIENCE PLACEMENT
SOPHOMORE MATH RECOMMENDATION
BIOLOGY GRADE
SOPHOMORE SCIENCE RECOMMENDATION
H. CHEMISTRY
A or B
Alg 2/Trig, H. Alg 2/Trig,
Precalculus,
H. Precalculus
CHEMISTRY
**If placement in H. Chem
is desired: Student MUST take the Honors Chem. Science Reasoning and Math Assessment
B I O L O G Y
C or
H. Geometry,
Algebra 2
Geometry,
Alg 2/Trig /Geometry “block”
CHEMISTRY
CHEM/PHYS
**If placement in Chem is desired: Student MUST take the
Chemistry Science Reasoning and Math Assessment
Geometry Survey,
Math 200

10. Sophomore Courses 10th Sophomore Science Recommendation Flowchart
FRESHMAN SCIENCE PLACEMENT
SOPHOMORE MATH RECOMMENDATION
BIOLOGY GRADE
SOPHOMORE SCIENCE RECOMMENDATION
H O N O R S
B I O L O G Y
Alg 2/Trig, H. Alg 2/Trig,
Precalculus,
H. Precalculus
H. CHEMISTRY
A or B
C or
CHEMISTRY
**If placement in H. Chem is desired: Student MUST take the
Honors Chem. Science Reasoning and Math Assessment
Geometry,
H. Geometry,
Algebra 2 ,
Alg 2/Trig /Geometry “block”

11. Junior Courses Recommendations
11th
Physics
Recommend 1 year Chem and Bio
Recommend Alg II/Trig OR taken concurrently
Honors Physics
A or B in Honors Chemistry
A or B in Algebra II/Trig
Enrolled in math analysis
Earth Science
Recommend Physics or Chem/Physics OR taken concurrently
AP Biology
Honors Bio, Honors Chem, Honors Physics or Physics concurrently
AP Chemistry
B or higher in Honors Alg II/Trig
Genetics
Bio, Chem – recommend B
Recommend Physics or concurrently
Anatomy/Physiology
AP Environmental, Astronomy, Chemistry recommendations on previous slide

12. Senior Courses Recommendations
12th
AP Physics
B or Higher in Honors Physics
A/B in Calculus
Floral Design and Greenhouse Management
Horticulture (Plant and Soil)
Physics
Honors Physics
Earth Science
AP Environmental
Horticulture (Plant and Soil)
Astronomy
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
Genetics
Anatomy / Physiology
Recommendations on previous slides

13. Access our Freshman Science Course Selection Advisory Packet:
For More Information...
Access our Freshman Science Course Selection Advisory Packet:
CLICK HERE,
“Class of 2015”
THEN…

14. For More Information: Access our Freshman Science Course Selection Advisory Packet
The Packet includes:
This PowerPoint
FAQ section for 8th grade science registration
Procedures for Changing a Recommendation
A detailed comparison of Biology and Honors Bio for HW, LABS, & TESTS
Four Year Course Recommendations and typical student flow chart
CLICK HERE,
“SCIENCE”

15. Thank You for your Participation
Questions… Concerns…