Woodford County High School Academy

STEM Pathway [Type text]

STEM Pathways:

The STEM pathway is for students who enjoy and show exceptional talent in the areas of:  Science  Technology  Engineering  Math

Students in the STEM pathway must complete an application process to attend.

Students in the academy will have the opportunity to take selected advanced STEM courses, as well as participate in culminating events throughout their high school career. As part of the academy, all students are expected to complete a rigorous curriculum in addition to the selected STEM courses.

Within the STEM portion of The Academy, students will choose either: the bio-medical pathway or the engineering pathway. While advanced math and science courses are required for both pathways, elective courses in each path will reflect a student’s preference for bio-medical courses or engineering courses. All students in The Academy will elect their senior year to take either:

Option One, which will result in senior classes being taken at Georgetown College

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Option Two, which will require students to participate in capstone courses their senior year Table of Contents

STEM Pathway

Requirements 4 Admissions Process for 2013/14 5 Advanced Placement Offerings 6 Science courses offered 7 Math courses offered 10 Engineering courses offered 13 Course Progressions 15

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The STEM Pathways in The Academy will consist of highly motivated students who show a strong commitment towards the sciences. They will be the strongest math and science students in Woodford County. These students will demonstrate a deep commitment to their independent learning.

STEM Requirements:

 Application into the Program the fall prior to the freshman year

 Must obtain and keep a 3.0 cumulative GPA in all course work

 Must stay in good standing with Woodford County High School in regards to discipline and attendance

 Must complete and pass a minimum of 5 AP course exams with a minimum score of “3”

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Admissions Process

for 2013-2014 for the STEM Pathway:

1. Students will request in writing to be admitted to the academy by May 10, 2013.

2. Students will be notified in writing by June 2013.

3. Students admitted into the academy from the class of 2015 for the bio-medical pathway should immediately enroll in AP Biology and AP Chemistry for the 2013-2014 school year.

4. Students admitted in the academy from the class of 2015 for the engineering pathway should immediately enroll in AP Biology and AP Physics for the 2013-2014 school year.

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5. Students admitted into The Academy from the class of 2016 should immediately enroll in AP Chemistry (they will be exempt from taking IS II)

6. Students admitted into The Academy from the class of 2017 should immediately enroll in the Integrated Science I and II Combination course (3 trimesters)

7. Students admitted into The Academy from the class of 2018 will take IS I as 8th graders and then will enroll in Advanced IS II as freshmen. Advanced Placement Offerings A student in the STEM Pathway will complete 5 Advanced Placement Courses. Refer to page 14 and 15 for specific STEM requirements.

Advanced Placement Classes Offered:

AP English Language AP English Literature

AP Government AP US History AP World Civilization AP Psychology AP European History

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AP Calculus AP Statistics

AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Physics

AP Spanish

AP Music Theory AP Art History

STEM Classes Offered:

Science

Integrated Science I and II Combination Course (3 trimesters) for freshmen in the Academy:

To be taken the freshman year, this is a class in which students will work both on Integrated Science I, which is a geo-physical course, and Integrated Science II, which is a geo-chemical course. Students will be given an intensive three trimester course combining both of these concepts.

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The geo-physical science portion of the course will integrate a basic physics curriculum with related topics in the earth and space sciences. Major topics will include: measurement and computation, motion and forces and energy. The geo-chemical portion of the course covers the topics related to introductory chemistry and earth science. These topics include: chemical and lab safety, scientific method, kinetic and atomic theories, the periodic table, chemical bonding, chemical reactions, nuclear reactions, natural resources, the big bang theory, astronomy, acids and bases, and biochemistry. Lab work emphasizes the inquiry approach. This combined class is only open to academy members.

College Prep Biology (2 Terms):

This course will cover the same topics as biology, but will be more rigorous in pace and depth in preparation for college level biology. This is an End of Course Assessment class.

Advanced Placement Biology (3 Terms)

Prerequisites: Adv. Integrated Science II (if taking AP as a first high school course in biology); Science teacher recommendation; Chemistry I or Chemistry AP may be taken concurrently.

The AP Biology course is equivalent to a two-semester college introductory biology course and is designed to enable students to develop advanced inquiry and reasoning skills. Emphasis will

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be placed on science practices, such as designing a plan for collecting and analyzing data, applying mathematical routines, and connecting concepts in and across biology. The College Board’s AP Biology course and examination are organized around underlying principles called Big Ideas, which encompass the core scientific principles, theories, and processes governing living organisms and biological systems.

The Big Ideas are: 1. Evolution: The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life 2. Cellular Processes: Energy and Communication-Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow, reproduce, and maintain dynamic homeostasis. 3. Genetics and Information Transfer: Living systems store, retrieve, transmit, and respond to information essential to life processes. 4. Interactions: Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess complex properties.

Students taking AP Biology as their first high school biology course will take both the state End of Course assessment and the AP examination.

Advanced Placement Chemistry (3 Terms)

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Prerequisite: Advanced Integrated Science II; Algebra II or concurrent enrollment in Algebra II Advanced; Science teacher recommendation;

Chemistry AP is designed to be the equivalent of the general chemistry course usually taken during the first year of college. This is an academic, quantitative chemistry course. Chemistry is the study of atoms and molecules and how they interact according to physical laws. Topics of study include atomic theory, chemical bonding, and thermodynamics. Lab experiences will allow students to observe matter firsthand

Advanced Placement Physics (To be offered 2014 -2015)-

Prerequisite: Integrated Science I; Algebra II, or concurrent enrollment in Advance Algebra II; Science teacher recommendation.

Physics AP is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory physics course. This course builds on the conceptual understanding of physics obtained in Integrated Science I. It provides a systematic development of the main principles of physics, emphasizing problem solving and helping students develop a deep understanding of physics concepts. It is assumed that the student is familiar with algebra and trigonometry, although some theoretical developments may use basic concepts of calculus. This course includes a laboratory component. It provides a foundation in physics for student in the life sciences, pre-medicine, and some applied sciences, as well as, other fields not directly related to science.

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Geometry (2 Terms ) Prerequisite: Algebra I

Designed to introduce the fundamentals of geometry, this course will help students develop basic geometric skills and learn to apply geometric principles. Geometric vocabulary, theorems, and formulas are presented. Topics will include points, lines, planes, area, volume, symmetry, transformations, angle relationships, slope, right triangle trigonometry and similarity of polygons.

Advanced Geometry(2 Terms) Prerequisite: Grade of ‘B’ or better in Adv. Algebra I or Math teacher recommendation.

Topics will be the same as Geometry but more rigorous in pace and depth and will include proofs. This course leads toward Calculus AP.

Algebra II (3 Terms) Prerequisite: Algebra I; Geometry.

While expanding the mathematical concepts of Algebra I, emphasis will be placed on preparation for study of higher mathematics – abstract thinking skills, the function concept, and the algebraic solution of problems in various content areas.

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Topics include matrices, quadratic equations and inequalities, graphs of functions and relations, sequences and series, probability and statistics, linear equations, systems of equations, polynomial and rational functions, radicals, radical equations and introduction to conic sections, exponential, logarithmic functions, and trigonometry concepts. Advanced Algebra II (3 Terms) Prerequisite: A grade of ‘B’ or better in Adv. Algebra I and Adv. Geometry or Math teacher recommendation.

Topics will be the same as Algebra II, but more rigorous in pace and depth. This course leads to Calculus AP.

Trigonometry (2 Terms) Prerequisite: Algebra II or Advanced Algebra II; Math teacher recommendation

This course is designed for those students excelling in the general track of Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. Topics include but are not limited to: functions and their inverses; graphs and applications of polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric and absolute value functions; analytic geometry and complex numbers. This course is for the college-bound student.

Pre-Calculus(2 Terms) Prerequisite: A grade of an ‘A or B’ in Advanced Algebra II or Math teacher recommendation

This course is intended for students who plan to take a calculus course in high school or college. Topics include but are not

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limited to: functions and their inverses; graphs and applications of polynomial, rational, exponential logarithmic, trigonometric and absolute value functions; analytic geometry and complex numbers. This course leads to the Calculus AP course.

Calculus (1 Term) Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus or Trigonometry; Math teacher recommendation

An introduction to calculus for the college-bound student, this course will include an in-depth study of limits and differentiation and a brief introduction to techniques of integration.

Advanced Placement Calculus (3 Terms) Prerequisite: Precalculus; Math teacher recommendation

This course includes concepts of differential and integral calculus. It includes an introduction to the concepts of a limit, differentiation, related rates, extrema, monotonicity, and concavity of a function, subsequently leading to integration concepts which include: areas under and between curves, volumes of solids or revolution, integration by parts, and integration involving natural logarithms. This course covers all material prescribed by the College Board Advanced Placement

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program. Students enrolled in this course must write the AP examination.

Advanced Placement Statistics (3 Terms) Prerequisite: Algebra II or Advanced Algebra II; Math teacher recommendation.

The purpose of the Advanced Placement course in statistics is to introduce students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. Students are exposed to four broad conceptual themes: exploring data, planning a study, anticipating patterns, and statistical inference. AP Statistics is an excellent course for any student who has completed Algebra II regardless of the student's intended college major. Engineering

Students in the Engineering pathway should complete 3 credits in the engineering courses prior to the senior year.

INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING DESIGN (IED) Prerequisite: Math PLAN scores of 16 or Math Explore score of 14 (Highly Recommended)

In this course, students use the engineering design process and 3D modeling software to create solutions to various problems. Students will learn how to document their work and communicate their solutions. The major focus of this course is to expose students to the engineering design process, engineering design software and equipment, global and human impact, engineering standards, and technical documentation.

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PRINCIPLES OF ENGINEERING (POE) Prerequisite: IED

This course is an engineering survey course that exposes students to some of the major concepts they will encounter in post-secondary engineering studies. Students will investigate and report on engineering and high tech careers. They will apply math and science concepts in the solution of engineering design problems. Additionally, students will develop problem solving skills and apply their knowledge of research and design to create solutions to various challenges. Students will create projects from various fields of engineering, including mechanical, electrical, civil, material, and computer engineering. Students learn to document their work and communicate their solutions.

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DIGITAL ELECTRONICS (DE) Prerequisites: IED and POE

This is the study of electronic circuits used to process and control digital signals. Digital electronics is the foundation of all modern electronic devices, such as cellular phones, MP3 players, high definition television, computers, etc. The major focus of this course is to expose students to the design process of combinational and sequential logic design, teamwork, communication methods, engineering standards, and technical documentation. Students will analyze, design, and build digital electronic circuits. While implementing these designs, students will continually hone their interpersonal skills, creative abilities, and understanding of the design process.

CIVIL ENGINEERING & ARCHITECTURE (CEA) Prerequisites: IED and POE

This is the study of design and construction of residential and commercial building projects using Building Information Modeling software. This course includes an introduction to many of the varied factors involved in building design and construction including building components and systems, structural design, storm water management, site design, utilities and services, cost estimation, energy efficiency, and careers in the design and construction industry. The major focus of this course is to expose students to the design and construction of residential and commercial building projects, design teams and teamwork, communication methods, engineering

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standards, and technical documentation.

I. Bio-medical Suggested Math/Science Pathway

Class of 2015 Class of 2016 Class of 2017 Class of 2018 (current 10th graders) (current 9th graders) (current 8th) (current 7th) 9th grade Advanced Geometry Advanced Geometry Advanced Advanced Or Adv Alg II Or Adv Alg II Geometry Geometry Or Adv Alg II Or Adv Alg II Adv Integrated Science 1 Adv Integrated Science IS I/II Combined Advanced IS II 1 course (3 tri) 10th grade Adv.Algebra II Adv.Algebra II Adv.Algebra II Adv.Algebra II Or Pre-Calculus Or Pre-Calculus Or Pre-Calculus Or Pre-Calculus

Adv Integ. Sci II, AP Chemistry AP Biology and AP plus AP or CP Adv. Integ. Sci II Chemistry Biology 11th grade AP Calculus OR AP Calculus OR AP Calculus OR AP Calculus OR Pre-Calculus & Pre-Calculus & Pre-Calculus & Pre-Calculus & Calculus Calculus Calculus AND/OR Calculus AND/OR AP Stats AND/OR AP Stats AP Stats AND/OR AP Stats AP Biology and AP AP Biology AP Physics Chemistry AP Chemistry AP physics (elective option) AP Physics (elective option) 12th grade Option One: Option One: Option One: Option One: Georgetown College Georgetown College Georgetown Georgetown for Calculus for Calculus College College and science courses and science courses for Calculus for Calculus and science courses and science courses

Option Two: Option Two: Option Two: Option Two: culminating courses at culminating courses at culminating courses culminating

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WCHS WCHS at WCHS courses at WCHS

Gray= classes already taken Pink= classes for 2013-14 Gold= middle school

II. Engineering

Class of 2015 Class of 2016 Class of 2017 Class of 2018 (current 10th graders) (current 9th graders) (current 8th) (current 7th) 9th grade Adv Alg II Adv. Algebra II Adv Algebra II Adv.Algebra II

Adv Integrated Adv Integrated Science IS I/II Combined Advanced IS II Science 1 1 course (3 tri)

Intro to Intro to Intro to Intro to Engineering(2tri) Engineering(2tri) Engineering(2tri) Engineering(2tri) 10th grade Pre-Calculus Pre-Calculus Pre-Calculus Pre-Calculus

Adv. Integ. Sci II Adv Integ. Sci II, plus AP Biology and AP AP or CP AP or CP Chemistry Biology and AP Biology Chemistry

Principles of Principles of Principles of Principles of Engineering(2) Engineering(2) Engineering(2) Engineering(2) 11th grade AP Calculus AP Calculus AP Calculus AP Calculus AP Calculus OR Pre-Calculus & Calculus

AP or CP AP physics AP Physics AP Physics Biology, and AP Physics AP Chemistry (elective AP Chemistry AP Chemistry option) (elective option) (elective option)

Digital Engineering Digital Engineering Digital Engineering Digital Engineering 18 STEM Pathway

12th grade Option One: Option One: Option One: Option One: Georgetown College Georgetown College Georgetown Georgetown For Calculus For Calculus College College and science courses and science courses For Calculus For Calculus and science courses and science courses

Option Two: Option Two: Option Two: Option Two: culminating courses at culminating courses at culminating courses culminating WCHS WCHS at WCHS courses at WCHS Gray= classes already taken Pink= classes for 2013-14 Gold= middle school

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