The science program at Ideal Schools emphasizes a project-based approach where the principles and techniques of scientific inquiry are developed as much as possible through various hands-on activities and investigations. The study of the history of science is an important part of the curriculum and is integrated with the social studies classes as much as possible.
The particular topics in the science course are determined less by the traditional categories of Chemistry, Biology, Physics, etc. and more by a realization that there are concepts that students should be familiar with in a modern technological world. For example, electrical and electronic devices are everywhere, so a study of the basic principles of electricity is needed to be able to understand these technologies and to be able to use them in the most effective way possible. Similarly, biotechnologies such as genetically modified food plants and hormone-fed beef are in the news daily. A study of these ideas would involve topics and concepts traditionally found in a Chemistry curriculum as well as a Biology curriculum, but to gain a practical understanding of the subject both are needed simultaneously. This is the reason that at Ideal Schools the course is considered "topics in Science." One week the students might be studying material that would traditionally be included in a Biology curriculum, whereas the next week the students might be looking at ideas that would be considered to be Chemistry.
Course work is a mixture of activities such as lab work, readings in science, problem solving activities, and class discussions. Typical hands-on activities would be lab sessions where the students take measurements, calculate results, and communicate their understanding in the form of a written report or an oral presentation. Problem solving activities include topics to research or numeric calculations. Students are often asked to find out about a particular scientist or engineer and report to the class what they have learned. The students find the internet useful for these activities but are also encouraged to reference written texts or periodicals, or to speak to someone working in the field of interest.
The historical development of science is an important part of the class and students will gain an appreciation of how developments in science and technology have influenced political changes through the centuries as well as understand how prevailing social attitudes and ideas have influenced the development of science.
During the senior year, we intend to place students in laboratories off-campus so that they are able to work on their Senior Projects in the sorts of laboratories where, and among the experts with whom, they will work in college and, possibly, as professionals.
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