Rainshadow CCHS – Fall 2009 ID Science 1A Syllabus

This course serves as an introduction to scientific methodology

and the role of science in interdisciplinary inquiry.
Joe Ferguson *** joe@rainshadowcchs.org *** www.joerainshadow.weebly.com
Course Description: This first year Rainshadow science course provides an introduction to scientific
methodology and the role of science in interdisciplinary inquiry. It combines the basic principles of
several scientific disciplines: Earth Science, Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, and
Physics. Students will study thematic issues in science to discover how science influences our daily
lives, will participate in labs, do hands-on experimentation, independent work, and discussion to build
their own science knowledge and to begin creating educated opinions about the world.
Course Aims and Objectives for this 9 Weeks:
Upon completion of this 9 week unit, students will;
- Study and learn the nature of scientific processes of inquiry, including systems, models, risk,
prediction, values and attitudes.
- Examine the disciplinary divisions of science.
- Relate science questions to interdisciplinary investigations.
- Experience scientific exploration and inquiry through reading, writing, and hands-on
experimentation.
- Study scientific, historical, and technological perspectives on a range of human problems.
- Apply mathematics and literacy skills to science.
Requirements:
- participation in classroom activities every day.
- record of daily activities, current events, notes, and vocabulary flash cards.
- completed portfolio of assignments. (see requirements below)
- completed projects, presentations, quizzes, and exams.
- completed Science Fair Project.

Week / Dates Monday Wednesday

School rules and regulations. Course intro What is science? Deductive reasoning
1) Aug. 31, Sept 2
and class expectations. project.
Intro to the scientific method and
2) Sept. 7, 9 No School: Labor day Rainshadow’s first annual science fair.
Gather science fair project ideas.
No School: Professional Development More on the scientific process.
3) Sept. 14, 16
Day Experimenting and coming up with results.
What do scientists do? The science
4) Sept. 21, 23 Finish our science disciplines project.
disciplines: a project.
Intro to exploration and invention. What
5) Sept. 28, 30 Science disciplines project presentations.
is an invention?
No School: Professional Development
6) Oct. 5, 7 Inventions project part 1.
Day
7) Oct. 12, 14 Inventions project part 2. Inventions powerpoint presentations.
Exploration and invention with
8) Oct. 19, 21 Mindstorms inventions.
mindstorms.
Finish mindstorms and other Lego
9) Oct. 26, 30 Mindstorms inventions.
inventions.
Intro to forensics: science investigation in Analyzing handwriting: a lab
10) Nov. 2, 4
action. investigation.
11) Nov. 9, 11 Intro to fingerprints: collecting evidence. No School: Veterans Day
 Solving mysteries with evidence: a
12) Nov. 16, 18
fingerprints lab.
Modern forensics and crime solving.
13) Nov. 23, 25
DNA evidence and technology.
Engaging in conservation: protection the
14) Nov. 30, Dec. 2
endangered snow leopard.
15) Dec. 7, 9 Snow Leopard: Mountain Mixer.
16) Dec. 14, 16 Snow Leopard: What’s the Plan?
17) Jan. 4, 6 Finishing our science fair projects.
Course review and final exam study
18) Jan. 11, 13
guide.
19) Jan. 18, 20 No School: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Investigating fraud: grades altered lab.
Introduction to ecology and population
biology.
Snow Leopard: The Cat’s Out of the Bag!
Snow Leopard: It Takes All Kinds of
People.
Snow Leopard: Taking Action.
Putting the finishing touches on our
science fair projects. In-class mini science
fair.
Final exam.
Last class. Course reflection. Updating the
science section of your Rainshadow
Portfolio.

Grading Policy and Assessment: This class will be based on an approximately 2,500 point system
for the 19 week period.
Point Breakdown:
Attendance and Participation – 500 points
Complete Folder of Work – 500 points
- includes classwork, projects, and lab exercises.
Major Projects, Presentations, Quizzes, & Exams – 500 points
Science Fair Project – 500
Literacy Course – 500
Portfolio Contents: You will maintain a folder to be kept in-class with all of the assignments that you
complete for this class. You will also be required to maintain an online portfolio for each of your
Rainshadow classes where many of your assignments will be saved. At the end of the semester you will
complete your modified online school portfolio that will showcase all of your best work from this
course. Work done in this class should be included in the science section of your comprehensive
Rainshadow Portfolio.
 Interdisciplinary Science 1A & B…
This course explores science as a means of interdisciplinary inquiry with
an emphasis on scientific investigation and methodology.
This Freshman-level Rainshadow science course provides an introduction to scientific methodology and the
role of science in interdisciplinary inquiry. It combines the basic principles of several scientific disciplines:
Earth Science, Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Students will study thematic issues in
science to discover how science influences our daily lives, will participate in labs, do hands-on experimentation,
independent work, and discussion to build their own science knowledge and to begin creating educated opinions
about the world. This course meets Rainshadow & State of Nevada standards for General Science and prepares
students to use science as a tool in careers, higher education, and life.
Objectives
Students will…
 …study and learn the nature of scientific processes of inquiry, including systems, models, risk,
prediction, values and attitudes.
S20 (N.12.A.1-6) Systems, Models, Risk, Prediction: mathematical models, predictions, systems, statistical
modeling, risk analysis.
S21 (N.12.A.1-6) Values and Attitudes: curiosity, honesty, skepticism, reproducing results, multiple
explanations.
S24 (N.12.A.1-6) Laboratory Skills: safe procedures, use scientific apparatus, record data, follow
procedures, design and conduct experiments.
 …examine the disciplinary divisions of science.
S10 (E.12.C.1-5) Structures and Compositions: rocks and minerals, landforms, layers, soil creation,
atmospheric changes, Nevada geological features.
S11 (E.12.C.1-5) Earth Models: locating positions, Nevada mapping, mapping and earth models, tune, location,
latitude, and longitude.
S12 (E.12.C.1-5) Earth History: change over time, geological record, fossil record, radioactive dating
S13 (E.12.A.1-5) Cycles of Matter and Energy: internal and external energy sources (gravity, sun, radioactive
decay), weather, water cycles, climatic context and changes, global dynamics,
greenhouse effect.
S14 (E.12.B.1-7) The Solar System and the Universe: solar system, celestial motion, energy in galaxies, origins
of the universe, tools and methods of astronomy, laws: Newton, Kepler, thermodynamics, relativity, and
quantum theory.
 …relate science questions to interdisciplinary investigations.
S19 (N.12.A.1-6) Reasoning and Critical Response Skills: evaluate data, credibility of sources, cost/benefit
analysis, risk analysis, system analysis, hypotheses, laws, theories, rules, generalizations,
assumption, analogies models.
 …experience scientific exploration and inquiry through reading, writing, and hands-on
experimentation.
S22 (N.12.A.1-6) Communication: follow experimental procedures, use tables and charts, participate in group
discussions, making arguments and claims.
S24 (N.12.A.1-6) Laboratory Skills: safe procedures, use scientific apparatus, record data, follow procedures,
design/conduct experiments.
 …study scientific, historical, and technological perspectives on a range of human problems.
S18 (N.12.B.1-4) Scientific, Historical, and Technological Perspectives: scientific processes and rules,
economic influences on research, public policy, science as collaboration, disputes and interpretations,
technological outcomes and consequences, theory production, ethics.
 …apply mathematics and literacy skills to science.
S22 (N.12.A.1-6) Communication: follow experimental procedures, use tables and charts, participate in group
discussions, making arguments and claims.
S23 (N.12.A.1-6) Applications of mathematics: correlate variables, use algebraic equations as appropriate,
estimate answers, use ratios and proportions, constants, estimate error, take random samples.

**Complete a Science Fair Project**