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Course Description

Academic Year 2023-2024 • Grade 7 and above • Science Sequence

For reference only; see current year course listing for course availability and details.

Natural Science II

Natural Science is a unique two-year course for junior high and early high school students, designed to provide the background and skills in earth, life, and physical sciences necessary for success in intensive college-preparatory courses in the sciences, specifically Scholars Online's courses in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Astronomy. Adults wishing to gain a new perspective on science or refresh their understanding of key concepts are also welcome to take the course.

Using a wide range of internet readings, simulations, and videos, we explore the core concepts of modern science in their social and historical contexts, rather than as abstract theories isolated from each other or their historical roots.

Discover the basic principles underlying both the physical and life sciences, including matter theory, motion and force, energy, electricity and magnetism, classification of living things, ecology, evolution, and cellular biology, see how these apply to the sciences of geology, meteorology, astronomy, oceanography, zoology and botany, and learn how some theories were readily accepted while others were challenged for both scientific and social reasons as we move through the history of scientific ideas from the ancient world to our own time. Learn to apply and recognize the limitations and advantages of scientific methodology, experimental and observational methods, to use mathematical methods for data analysis, and to appreciate not only the interrelations between different areas of scientific knowledge, but how the methods of critical analysis of observations developed, and how social forces shaped modern science.

The second year covers the development of modern science since the Renaissance, including the development of chemistry, thermodynamics, genetics, quantum mechanics, relativity, information science, ecology and cosmology. .

For more information on how this course fits into the Scholars Online Science Curriculum, please read the Science Curricum Design page.

This course is taught using the Scholars Online Chat software, which allows the teacher to embed graphics, mathematical equations, and movies in the chat session, with complete logging available for the entire year. Audio software is deliberately not used, as a means of enforcing students students to think clearly and write precisely. [Students with limited online bandwidth can also participate fully in the course.]

Course Website: Natural Science II

Sections and Teachers

Section 1:

Instructor: Christe McMenomy

Starts: September 5, 2023
Ends: June 1, 2024

Thursday 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM ET

Tuition: $550.00


Prerequisites

Natural Science I or permission of instructor.

Recommended background

Junior high level courses in life, earth, and physical sciences are useful but not required. Students should have taken a survey course in world history or western civilization, or be taking one concurrently. While some pre-algebra experience with ratios and equations is useful, we will cover math concepts as needed in class.

Teacher's notes:

Parents: please read the Procedures page at the teacher's website above, which describes the course in more detail. NOTE: this course has two sections. Sign up for either the Tuesday or Thursday section.

Textbooks and Materials

There are no textbook or materials currently required for this course. Check instructor's notes above for additional information, or contact the instructor.

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