Science Core Curriculum

Evolutionary biology provides a framework for understanding everything from ecology to human physiology and genetics. This course takes advantage of the expansive and diverse outdoor study areas on campus and off. Ecosystem biology frames the fall semester, concluding with a creative expression of knowledge and concern for endangered species. The content moves indoors and online in the spring for cellular biology, genetics and human physiology. We close the year with a unit on botany and local food production.

This course offers students a modern, relevant course in high school level chemistry. The program combines the theory and concepts of chemistry with practical applications for a basic program for high school students. Atomic structure, chemical bonding, and molecular changes are unifying concepts. Demonstrations and laboratory activities are an integral part of the course, emphasizing quantitative as well as qualitative relationships. Students explore particular topics in chemistry of special or personal interest through a variety of research projects. A strong mathematics background is recommended.

This is a learner-centered, activity-based, and modeling-oriented introductory physics course. Students learn special theory of relativity, basic quantum mechanics, classical mechanics, optics, electricity and magnetism, and waves and sound.  Students conduct experiments, discuss processes and results, discover laws themselves, apply learned material by completing STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) projects. Students engage in group activities both in and outside of class.

In Ecology, students learn basic ecological concepts. While wading, hiking, and snowshoeing, the class studies the abundant stream, lake, bog, swamp, marsh, dune, field and forest habitats of the area. The course is presented as a synthesis of the naturalist’s sensitivity and the ecologist’s understanding of the natural world. From frequent contact with and exposure to nature firsthand, it is hoped that students gain an awareness and appreciation of the beauty and interdependence within the natural world. The primary goal of the course is the development of an ecological ethic. Snowshoes and waders are provided, but sensible outdoor clothing is required for morning and cool-weather outdoor classroom experiences.

This course gives students a first-hand glimpse into modern agriculture, using lessons and hands-on activities that bring to life critical issues in sustainability, the science behind farming, organic farming principles, and entrepreneurship. In this course, students investigate more deeply the importance of soil health, soil types, basic chemistry as applied to soil science,  weather trends, impacts on modern agriculture, and the impact of erosion. Students explore botany, understanding the biology, structure, life cycle, and growth needs of plants, with emphasis on the harvest cycle of plants. Students learn about plant reproduction, pollination, fertilization, and the impact of invasive plants in native habitats in our area. The role of the nitrogen cycle, composting, aquaponics, land and water conservation, and climate change are interwoven threads recurring throughout the course.

This course provides an introduction to astronomy through individual, collaborative, as well as web-based tutorial-guided activities. The course will survey major concepts of astronomy such as star formation, evolution of planetary and galactic systems, gravity and the role it plays in shaping up our universe as a whole, light and how its spectra allow us to observe the universe in a variety of ways using corresponding telescopes and data collection devices. Latest astronomical observations, results from recent space missions, and undergoing research in this ever-changing field will both guide as well as allow students to keep abreast of the progress astronomy undergoes, which in turn improves students' understanding of humanity’s place in this magnificent cosmos.

This course is an introduction to Forensic Science. Basic ideas of Forensic Science such as Locard’s Exchange Principle, fingerprinting, spectrum analysis, blood spatter,  document analysis, ballistics and firearms, are introduced, defined, and shown how they may be used to solve a variety of actual crime scenes. Students should expect to be challenged to complete and solve case studies involving crime scenes. The course features labs and hands-on activities as well as a variety of media that facilitate the understanding of forensics.   

 

Students explore the biological sciences from the macro end of biology (ecology and evolution) to the micro end of biology (cells and organelles). Students who successfully complete this course receive university credit from Indiana University. Students survey the biological sciences at the college level, with an emphasis on how the content applies to human beings. The syllabus, laboratories and assessments are defined by Indiana University. At the university level, this course is intended for non-science majors; at Interlochen, it is especially intended for seniors and post-graduates who seek to leave the Academy with transferable college credit. The pre-requisites are high school courses in biology, chemistry, and Algebra II. Students who complete this course may select to earn both high school and college credit, transcripted by Indiana University and transferrable to many colleges and universities.

This one-semester, advanced-level chemistry course students will focus on understanding atoms, starting with the structure of individual atoms and moving outward to look at how atoms interact with other atoms. In this course students will explore the historical development of the atomic theory up to and including quantum theory. These theories will then be used to understand nuclear chemistry, bonding theories and how molecules interact. Applications of the theories and laboratory experiments to explore these concepts will be incorporated into the class.

This one-semester, advanced-level chemistry course students will focus on understanding chemical reactions. These reactions will be considered from the perspectives of electrochemistry, thermochemistry, kinetics, and equilibrium. Students will explore these concepts through discussion, applications of theories, simulations, and laboratory experiments. Students will get hands-on experience conducting experiments and analyzing data.