APPLIED SCIENCE (required for Freshmen & Graduation)

This lab-based course develops knowledge and understanding of the concepts of matter, force, energy and natural processes in the areas of physical and earth science. The course involves demonstrations, discussions, lectures, and  experimentation. The student does experiments in order to obtain data that can be evaluated by the class and hopefully some conclusion can be reached. It is intended that students learn to appreciate how scientists get information in order to discover the working of nature. Skills in the use of the metric system are developed. The student will gain a strong background for more advanced science courses such as chemistry or physics.

● Students may bypass Applied Science with the commitment to take Biology, Chemistry, and Physics while at Northland Pines High School and meet the prerequisites below. If a student decides to forgo this agreement, they will be  required to take Applied Science.

Applied Science Exemption Prerequisites:
● Completed Exemption Form
● Take Geometry during 9th grade or maintain a grade of B or better in Algebra
● Students must complete the required Earth Science assignments from the Applied Science course. Please see Mr. Aerts with questions.
● Agreements can be found in the Student Services Office. Late agreements will not be accepted.

ASTRONOMY (PROJECT BASED)

Introduction to Astronomy is designed to present students with a basic understanding of the composition and structure of the universe. The course will be divided into 5 parts: The Earth, The Solar System, The Evolution of Stars, The Motion & Structure of Galaxies and exploring new and future discoveries. Due to the brevity of the course, detail will be sacrificed in order to present the larger concepts. The central objective of this course is to develop an understanding of how the universe began and is evolving. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the science that produced the evidence that has led to our current understanding of the cosmos.

BIOLOGY (LAB BASED)

Biology is a course designed to introduce students to the different shapes and forms of life. Emphasis is placed on the six kingdoms: animals, plants, fungi, protists, and two kingdoms of bacteria. The plant and animal kingdom will have the most emphasis and will include many labs and demonstrations. Through these organisms the course teaches students about classification, cellular interactions, body systems, genetics and DNA technology. Comparative anatomy techniques will be taught through a series of dissections and live labs. Application of these topics gives each student a better understanding of the complexity of life, the study called biology.

ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT (LAB & FIELD BASED)
FALL TRIMESTER (Phenology, Soils, Forestry, Biomes and Energy)

It is recommended to take two trimesters of Ecology, but students can register for one, two or three trimesters. Get outside and experience the Northwoods during the fall and early winter months! Through a series of inquiry based labs and field work, students will develop an awareness of their place and connection with the natural world. Student hands will get dirty as they test the physical and chemical properties of soils and learn about this “forgotten” yet foundational resource. The woods will become a laboratory of study as the connection between soils and plants to help students better relate to the world of forestry and the many benefits we get from our abundant forests. Human impact on natural resources will be addressed and sustainable living will be a common thread throughout all topics. As students use critical thinking skills to analyze and evaluate the health of familiar ecosystems, they will then be prepared to formulate possible solutions to local environmental issues and encouraged to have citizen action. Lab work, outdoor field testing, and field trips will be interspersed with direct instruction. A $20.00 fee/trimester is required to cover the cost of several field studies. 

ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT (LAB & FIELD BASED)
SPRING TRIMESTER (Phenology, Biodiversity and Invasive Species, Global Change and Water Chemistry)

It is recommended to take two trimesters of Ecology, but students can register for one, two or three trimesters. Get outside and experience the Northwoods during the late winter and spring! Through a series of inquiry based labs and field work, students will develop an awareness of their place and connection with the natural world. Your feet will get wet in aquatic ecosystems as you explore bogs, marshes, rivers and lakes in the study of water ecology. Human impact on natural resources will be addressed and sustainable living will be a common thread throughout all topics. As students use critical thinking skills to analyze and evaluate the health of familiar ecosystems. Human impact on natural resources will be addressed and sustainable living will be a common thread throughout all topics. As students use critical thinking skills to analyze and evaluate the health of familiar ecosystems, they will then be prepared to formulate possible solutions to local environmental issues and encouraged to have citizen action. Lab work, outdoor field testing, and field trips will be interspersed with direct instruction. A $20.00 fee/trimester is required to cover the cost of several field studies. 

ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT (LAB & FIELD BASED)
WINTER TRIMESTER (Phenology, Winter Ecology, Wildlife and Endangered Species, Garbage and Pollution)

It is recommended to take two trimesters of Ecology, but students can register for one, two or three trimesters. Get outside and experience the Northwoods during the mid-winter and spring months! Students will become immersed in the mysteries of winter ecology through tracking and the study of snow and its many unique functions in nature and the not so quiet winter world will be revealed. Wildlife management, species identification and endangered and threatened species research will be studied to better understand wildlife. Human impact on natural resources will be addressed and sustainable living will be a common thread throughout all topics. As students use critical thinking skills to analyze and evaluate the health of familiar ecosystems, they will then be prepared to formulate possible solutions to local environmental issues and encouraged to have citizen action. Lab work, outdoor field testing, and field trips will be  Interspersed with direct instruction. A $20.00 fee/trimester is required to cover the cost of several field trips. 

INVESTIGATIONS IN FORENSIC SCIENCE (LAB BASED)

Investigations in Forensic Science will introduce students to the history of how forensic science started and some of the major forensic science topics. Students will learn skills needed by a forensic scientist and apply them to “crime scenarios.” This will require students to apply critical thinking skills to analyze the crime scene and come up with plausible explanations. Students would also be expected to maintain a portfolio style laboratory notebook that would chronicle their skills obtained in class.

CHEMISTRY (LAB BASED)

An experimental and conceptual study of high school chemistry. Course content involves basic studies of atomic and molecular structure, the periodic law, chemical and physical changes, matter and energy relationships, chemical properties of various solutions and substances. Course procedures include lectures, note taking, problem solving, laboratory study and report writing. This course fulfills the college requirement for chemistry. 

HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY - HONORS (LAB BASED)

Learn about the incredible human machine! This course is intended for serious college bound students who plan on continuing their education and/or pursuing a career in the life sciences. The course has been formatted to a college freshman Biology class and is challenging. The human body systems will be covered in depth and a comparative anatomy component will accompany the curriculum with dissections of several mammalian organs and a full fetal pig dissection.

MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY - HONORS

This course focuses on the component parts of medical terms: prefixes, suffixes and word roots. Students practice formation, analysis and reconstruction of terms. Emphasis will be on spelling, definition and pronunciation of medical terms. An introduction to operative, diagnostic, therapeutic and symptomatic terminology of all body systems will be approached, as well as systemic and surgical terminology. Material will be presented with some laboratory work, viewing of procedures and surgeries through DVD and internet resources, many word games and memorization activities, guest speakers, local field trips, and experience in research and translation of case studies. This is the course you need to start your career in the medical field! *This course is an Advanced Standing course with Nicolet College. A student may earn 3 college credits if the course is completed with a grade of 80% or higher.
*This is a Transcripted Course with Nicolet College.

AP CHEMISTRY (LAB BASED)

This course will go deeper into the content covered in General Chemistry and cover the additional topics not covered in General Chemistry. Topics include matter, periodic law, gas laws, bonding, equilibrium, kinetics, and thermodynamics. Each topic will be explored with an in-depth lab activity. This course will be helpful for creating a very solid chemistry foundation for anyone interested in pursuing science in college, or having a chance to complete science general education requirements in college. A fee is required to take the AP Exam.

PHYSICS - HONORS (LAB BASED)

This class is an experimental and conceptual study of algebra based physics. The course will include the study of mechanics, energy, fluid flow, electricity, and magnetism. There is an emphasis placed on problem solving, mathematical relationships, and experimental exploration. Students will also be expected to apply their physics knowledge to design and create various devices in class which include model rockets, motors, timing instruments, waterwheels, collision safety devices, and windmills.