Rainshadow CCHS – Fall 2009 ID Science 4A Syllabus

This course is a synthesis of the role of the sciences in interdisciplinary inquiry

with an emphasis on the relationships between Science, Technology, and Society.
Joe Ferguson: joe@rainshadowcchs.org *** www.joerainshadow.weebly.com
Course Description: This culminating RS Science course provides synthesis of the role of the
sciences in interdisciplinary inquiry with an emphasis on the relationships of science, technology, and
society. It presents a historical overview of science and provides discussion of overarching science
concepts such as systems, models, risk, prediction, and applications of science. This course delivers
Rainshadow and State of NV Standards for grade 12 and prepares students to use science as a tool in
careers, higher education, and life.
Course Aims and Objectives for this 9 Weeks:
Upon completion of this 9 week unit, students will;
- Take an interdisciplinary perspective in studying the role of sciences in the physical world.
- Analyze such issues as biodiversity, ecosystems, and Nevada ecology.
- Use science as a tool for prediction to explore global issues and problems.
- Form a sense of their personal uses of science and technology in everyday life.
- Connect science inquiry to inquiry and values in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.
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 to the scientific method and
1) Aug. 31, Sept 2 intro and class expectations. Course Rainshadow’s first annual science fair. Gather
syllabus and website. science fair project ideas. What is STS?
Intro to the scientific method. Deductive
2) Sept. 7, 9 No School: Labor day
reasoning project.
No School: Professional Development Scientific inquiry and the scientific method.
3) Sept. 14, 16
Day Finding ideas for your science fair projects.
The science, technology, and society
Proper nutrition and your food intake: begin
4) Sept. 21, 23 links in human health and nutrition.
food journal project.
Intro to food and medicine
Sicko and the American health care
Finish Sicko and discuss. Any solutions to the
5) Sept. 28, 30 system. What is the big deal with
problems that we learned about?
health insurance?
No School: Professional Development Past and modern medical technologies. Bill
6) Oct. 5, 7
Day Nye the Science Guy video.
Finish medical technology projects and
7) Oct. 12, 14 Medical technology project.
present.
Intro to the biochemistry and drugs
8) Oct. 19, 21 Biochemistry project work.
project.
9) Oct. 26, 30 Biochemistry project presentations. Intro to food ingredients and additives.
10) Nov. 2, 4 Food ingredients brochure project. Finish food ingredients brochures.
Intro to foodborne illness and food
11) Nov. 9, 11 No School: Veterans Day
forensics. Food science video.
12) Nov. 16, 18 Food forensics project work. Finish foodborne illness projects. Present.
 End food journal project (just before
13) Nov. 23, 25 Food chemistry lab. Thanksgiving!). Analyzing our results. Where
to cut back and what we lack?
Intro to modern food technology and What are GMOs? Collecting information to
14) Nov. 30, Dec. 2
genetic manipulation. make an informed decision.
More on GMOs and modern Taking sides and making informed decisions
15) Dec. 7, 9
agriculture. about the food we eat.
16) Dec. 14, 16 GMOs debate. Finishing our science fair projects.
Putting the finishing touches on our
17) Jan. 4, 6 science fair projects. In-class mini Mini-science fair project evaluations.
science fair.
Course review and final exam study
18) Jan. 11, 13 Final Exam.
guide.
No School: Martin Luther King, Jr. Last class. Course reflection. Updating the
19) Jan. 18, 20
Day 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 4A & B
This course explores science as a means of interdisciplinary inquiry with
an emphasis on the relationship between science, technology, and society.
This Senior-level Rainshadow science course provides synthesis of the role of the sciences in
interdisciplinary inquiry with an emphasis on the relationships of science, technology, and society.
It presents a historical overview of science and provides discussion of overarching science concepts
such as systems, models, risk, prediction, and applications of science. Delivers Rainshadow & State
of Nevada standards for Environmental science prepares students to use science as a tool in careers,
higher education, and life.
Objectives
Students will…
 …take an interdisciplinary perspective in studying the role of sciences in the
physical world.
S1 (P.12.B.1-4) Forces and Motion: laws of motion, gravity, machines, pressure, density, buoyancy,
electricity, and magnetism.
S2 (P.12.A.1-9) Structure of Matter: physical properties, chemical bonding, atomic theory, systems of
particles, molecular theory.
S3 (P.12.C.1-6) Energy and Matter: energy forms, changes of state, heat and temperature, waves,
circuits, changes in systems.
S4 (P.12.A.1-9) Chemical Reaction: conservation of matter, rates of reaction, transformation of
matter, chemical properties.
S5 (P.12.C.1-6) Nuclear and Electromagnetic Energy: behavior of light, nuclear applications, nuclear
waste disposal, electromagnetic energies.
 …analyze such issues as biodiversity, ecosystems, and Nevada ecology.
S6 (L.12.B.1-3) Structure and Function: life cycles and disruption, equilibrium, cellular organization,
environment, plant structures
S15 (L.12.C.1-4) Ecosystems: biodiversity and ecosystems, cycles of matter and energy, food webs,
Nevada bioregions
 …use science as a tool for prediction to explore global issues and problems.
S16 (E.12.C.1-5) Natural Resources: consequences of resource use, recycling processes, careers, use of
natural resources, depletion, environmental degradation.
S17 (N.12.B.1-4) Conservation: analyze and evaluate consumption patterns, conservation efforts,
equilibriums, environmental issues, global concerns, trade offs, responsible behavior.
 …form a sense of their personal uses of science and technology in everyday life.
S19 (N.12.A.1-6) Reasoning and Critical Response Skills: evaluate data, credibility of sources,
cost/benefits analysis, system analysis, hypotheses, laws, theories, rules, generalization, assumption,
analogy models.
 …connect science inquiry to inquiry and values in the arts, humanities, and social
sciences.
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
S22 (N.12.A.1-6) Communication: follow experimental procedures, use tables and charts, participate
in group discussions, making arguments and claims

**Complete a Science Fair Project**