School Year

They develop…  Critical thinking & problem solving skills  Applying mathematical skills  Analysis/data skills  Communication with peers and adults about findings Both Honors Earth & Biology will…  Conduct individual and partnered research throughout the year  Present their projects at the Science Symposium next spring

They will be used…  In all other upper level science classes  In college  In the capstone research course “Independent Science Research: Oceans and Climate Change” offered to seniors passionate about science research & Earth Science (It’s Earth Science- based course!)  When students compete in the Regional Science & Engineering Fair as seniors in ISR

  Click on academics  Scroll to “science”  Click on LCPS Regional Science and Engineering Fair  Click on 2013 student abstracts

HONORS EARTH:HONORS BIOLOGY:  investigates questions related to Earth Science  learns APA format- how to cite sources within a paper & make a reference page  learns how to write scientifically & analyze data  develops critical reading skills essential for writing  applies/builds upon Earth Science skills to:  investigates questions related to Biology  collect and analyze data from in class & data sets  uses upper level math to perform statistical analysis on data  must learn to write about results & conclusions

 the study of how the Earth and all of its components interact and change (life, rocks, atmosphere, space, water, and ice)  Topics include: meteorology (weather & climate), oceanography, astronomy (space & the solar system), plate tectonics (changing continents), minerals, rocks, natural resources, VA history/geology, geologic time, and environmental issues; mapping skills will also be integrated

Earth Science- 9 th grade 10 th : Biology 11 th : Chemistry, Environmental, Physics, AP Biology (w/Chem), GIS 12 th : AP level courses, Environmental, GIS and/or ISR Honors Biology- 9 th grade 10 th : Chemistry 11 th : AP Biology, AP Chemistry, Physics, Environmental, GIS 12 th : AP level courses, Environmental, GIS and/or ISR

Earth Science- 9 th grade  Entering Algebra I or a higher level  Should be an A/B student in math  Should have passed all science & math SOLs Honors Biology- 9 th grade  Entering Geometry or a higher level  Should be an A student in math  Should have passed all science & math SOLs  Should enjoy math

 Learning how to complete background research for inquiry based labs and Earth Science related projects; creating procedures for conducting different Earth Science projects  Applying Earth Science to real-world issues and the environment  Must be passionate about science & math analysis  Be organized and on top of their work  WANT TO BE IN SCIENCE CLASS  Examples: Meteorology Project- tracking hurricanes during the season using NOAA and our ArcGIS program Oceanography Project- using a saltwater tank to model conditions found in the oceans using salinity measurements & hygrometers

 Furthering skills in statistical analysis, analyzing data, utilizing skills gained in Honors Earth Science to perform inquiry-based labs  Using a higher level of math than most of their peers  On top of their school work & ask questions!  Passionate about science & math analysis  Takes responsibility & completes extra work  Student should WANT to be in science class

 You will complete the following assignments over the summer: 1) Learning to Read Scientific Research 2) Annotated References for 10 scientific sources 3) 1000 word research paper on a chosen scientific question  These assignments will be due the second week of school!

 A 3 part assignment to help you gain understanding on how to read scientific papers: 1. Scavenger hunt on how to find scientific papers and the information they contain. 2. Using a scientific journal article and analyzing the parts of the scientific inquiry (hypothesis, IV, DV, control, constants, results, analysis, and conclusion) 3. Using TED Talks to analyze the scientists’ findings

 Student will pick a research question  Student will find 10 scientifically credible sources and create an annotated reference page using APA format  Student will organize information from the 10 sources into a well written paper:  Must have an introduction to topic as well as a conclusion based on what has been discovered about their topic and the future implications the topic has for humans  1000 words (roughly 4-5 pages)  Use APA format for in text citations and bibliography

If you’d like to switch courses…  your student’s guidance counselor or Gabrielle Carpenter THS Director of If you have further questions…  Kathryn Blessing Science If you need help with the assignment…  Harvey Vandenburg or Benjamin Kagan both Honors Biology If you need another copy of the Summer Assignment…  Go to the THS Science website (under Academics scroll down to Science)