Integrated Biology and Chemistry II

In this required tenth grade science class students apply concepts from biology and chemistry to understanding and solving sustainability issues. Almost every unit has a sustainability topic tied in; for example, evolution is paired with habitat fragmentation, combustion with sources of renewable and non-renewable energy, acid-base chemistry with acid rain and ocean acidification, and oxidation/reduction with batteries and their importance in electric vehicles. There are also units that focus exclusively on human impacts on the environment, with topics including climate change, the chemistry of stratospheric ozone depletion, and discussion of the anthropocene as a concept. All of the aforementioned topics include either a lab component or student presentations, allowing students to benefit from individualized, hands-on experiences that enrich their learning.