Data Analysis and Coding Lab

Did you know that the average person generates 1.7 megabytes of information or that it would take 181 million years to download all the data from the internet? Data drives our world but most of us don’t understand what it means, why we need it, and how it works. In this self-paced course, you will complete a variety of interest-based projects that deepen your understanding of coding and data analysis. Through examining real-world case studies from healthcare to social media and from education to culture, you will explore different types of data, identify biases, and apply your data literacy and coding skills to communicate and deconstruct underlying messages. You will be better equipped to be critical consumers of information, read your “data world,” and make informed decisions about your personal life. This course is open to all students, no prior coding knowledge required.

Physics Applications – Sustainable Energy

This course explores the fundamental principles of thermodynamics, with a focus on understanding climate change and its implications for sustainable energy solutions. This interdisciplinary course will delve into the intricate relationship between energy, environment, and society. Through an interdisciplinary approach, students will analyze Earth's energy budget and the mechanisms driving climate change, evaluating the scientific evidence behind global warming and its consequences. They will delve into various sustainable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass energy, investigating the physics principles underlying each source and assessing their environmental impact and scalability. By examining real-world case studies, students will gain insights into the practical applications of sustainable energy systems and the challenges and opportunities associated with transitioning to a low-carbon economy. Through collaborative projects and presentations, students will develop critical thinking skills and propose innovative solutions to enhance energy sustainability and address the impacts of climate change on a local and global scale.  Prerequisites: Chemistry Foundations. Open to 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students

Advanced Biology – Molecular Research Techniques (Honors)

This course will provide students an opportunity to learn advanced techniques in molecular biology and their applications in biotechnology. Students will delve deeply into advanced topics such as genetic engineering and synthetic biology and the ways in which they can be used to solve real-world problems in medicine, agriculture, and more. Students will travel to the BioBuilder learning lab at Ginkgo Bioworks for an immersive experience in which students learn the skills and tools of molecular research through an ongoing research project.  Prerequisites: any Chemistry or Biology Applications course at the Honors level and with departmental permission. Offered at the Honors level only.

Literature of Food

For millennia, humans have had a unique and ever-shifting relationship with their food. From growing vegetables in the soiled ground to buying a Big Mac at the drive-through, we all relate to and connect with food and tastes in varied ways. Additionally, from Fatima Ali to Rebecca May Johnson to Will Guidara, chefs and authors have explored what we eat, how we eat, and how our relationship with food matters. In this class, we will read, write, cook, and eat. Using a range of narratives, we’ll examine the politics of food, food insecurity, and how our relationship to what we eat and how we eat informs, nourishes, and shapes our lives.

Student Directed Project – SDP

A Student-Directed Project empowers students to do an in-depth exploration of a topic of interest throughout the term. The student designs, plans, and leads their research project in collaboration and with the guidance and support of a coach (faculty advisor). It allows students to delve deeper into their passion and to be the designer of their own learning. There is a wide range of Student-Directed Projects; they are multi-disciplinary, non-linear, and most importantly, student-created and led. That’s what makes them so interesting. Here are some examples of past projects:

• Creating an architectural model using 3D architectural software
• Through their eyes: Photo and interview series of veterans
• Robosub electromagnetic linear accelerator
• Acoustic pinger for Robosub
• Virtual Reality game for visually-impaired persons
• Creating a concept album
• Dispute: Landlord-tenant board game
• Multimedia journalism: Producing a podcast series
• Perplex: English and Theater Study
• Sensors and fiber optics: Building a fiber optic dress
• Haptic technologies: Force-Feedback Virtual Reality
• Applications of integrals to analytical continuation of functions

Chemistry Applications – Physical Chemistry

This interdisciplinary course will explore the physical and chemical properties of matter using two main themes: electron structure and thermodynamics. Students will cover in this course the challenging fields of thermodynamics, thermal and chemical equilibrium, and quantum mechanics. A thorough understanding of how chemical systems behave will be gained through hands-on laboratory experiences, and students observe how these systems will respond to external stress. Students will spend the last part of the course discussing advanced electron structures using the principles of quantum mechanics. Throughout the course, lab skills and writing will be emphasized in order to practice effective scientific communication and inquiry-based design challenges. Prerequisites: Chemistry Foundations and Biology Foundations.

Chemistry Applications – Biochemistry

Biochemistry explores the fascinating intersections of chemistry and biology This course delves into the molecular processes reactions necessary for life. Students will first review the foundations of chemistry while looking at the connection between photosynthesis and cellular respiration. In this lab based course, students will explore the structure and function of carbohydrates and proteins, molecules with critical biological functions in nutrition and metabolism. Other themes will include natural product extraction, exploration of bioactive molecules, and food chemistry. Students will gain exposure to lab based methodologies such as gel electrophoresis, and protein purification. Students get the chance to do an independent research project to learn about a personal interest. Honors has an expectation to do deeper level content, more autonomous work and self-learning, and application of mathematics to solve problem sets.  Prerequisites: Chemistry Foundations and Biology Foundations.

Social Psychology: To be is to be perceived!

How is our behavior influenced by our social environment? How does our perception of others affect what we do and our sense of identity? Whether we want it or not, people (others) influence how we act or behave (how we dress, what we say or don’t say, what we feel). In this social psychology course, we will aim to get a deep understanding of human behavior, especially interpersonal relationships. We will look at theories and findings in psychology and social psychology, will learn about key ideas, and explore some recent research and unanswered questions. This course will be driven by student interests, and will also include topics such as biases, attitudes, obedience, mental health, social identity, and prejudice, among others. We will try to understand how others affect who we are and how we behave, and if indeed “hell is other people.”  Students can opt to take this class at the Honors level.  Open to Grade Levels: 10,11, 12

Biology Applications – Neuroscience

The most basic function of the brain is to keep you alive. Your 100 billion neurons regulate breathing, heart rate, hunger and sleep cycle. But perhaps what fascinates us the most about the human brain is how it goes beyond these basic functions and generates emotions, perceptions, and thoughts that guide behavior. In this course, we will take a deep dive into brain science, exploring everything from the biochemistry of a neuron, to the latest research on psychological disorders such as depression and addiction. Topics in this course include neural anatomy and physiology, synaptic transmission and action potential, neurochemistry, and the impact of substances on the brain. Students have the opportunity to attend the Harvard MEDscience program to participate in the Nervous System patient simulation as part of this course. Prerequisites: Chemistry Foundations and Biology Foundations.

Foundations for Algebraic Reasoning

This course is designed for students who have not completed Algebra 1 through quadratics in middle school. Students will build a strong foundation in algebraic reasoning and grapple with real-world applications. Work will focus on solving linear equations and systems and the exploration of exponential and quadratic relationships.

Not offered at the Honors level.

Biology Applications – DNA and Genetics

DNA is often referred to as the “code of life”. This course seeks to explore what we know about how our bodies interpret and utilize our genetic code and how our understanding has changed in recent years. Included in this course will be discussions of the evolving concept of what a gene is, DNA structure, function, and replication, and how DNA is used to shed light on evolutionary relationships among organisms. In addition, students will be introduced to laboratory techniques that have driven our understanding of these topics, including DNA extraction, gel electrophoresis, PCR, and bacterial transformation. Emphasis on effective communication of experimental design and findings through primary source research, formal reports and presentations will also be an integral part of this course. Prerequisites: Chemistry Foundations and Biology Foundations.

Biology Foundations – The Structure & Function of Life

From the use of antibiotics to evolution of skin color this survey course applies the concepts of biology to the real and changing world around us. This course will give students the opportunity to learn about the fundamentals of life, from the evolution of homo sapiens down to the microscopic viruses that invade us. This course focuses on a deeper understanding of the biological concepts of biochemistry, cellular biology, genetics, and evolution while further developing lab skills, data analysis, inferences and reasoning, scientific writing, and presentation skills. Collaborative and independent research projects have students incorporate strategies to processes and deeper understand complex biological concepts and how they play out over time. Prerequisites: Chemistry Foundations. Honors section with departmental permission.