Science
For complete COURSE DESCRIPTIONS, click on Course Title below in chart and/or go to Class Registration
For complete TEXTBOOKS/SUPPLIES, click on Course on Class Registration
For TUTOR BIOGRAPHIES, click on Tutor Name in below chart and/or go to Class Registration
For assistance in choosing the correct class, please see WEST's Class Track Guidelines
Tuition Payments are broken up with two payments for semester classes and four payments for annual classes
| SCIENCE | ||||
| COURSE TITLE | GRADE | TUTOR | TERM | TUITION |
| Middle School Earth Science | 5-7 | Kuch / Cote | Full Year | $380 |
| Middle School Life Science | 5-7 | Chernyavsky | Full Year | $380 |
| Middle School Chemistry & Physics | 6-8 | Kuch / Cote | Full Year | $380 |
| General Science | 7-9 | Higgins | Full Year | $390 |
| Physical Science | 8-12 | Stewart or Higgins | Full Year | $400 |
| Biology | 9-12 | Holt | Full Year | $425 |
| Introduction to Forensics | 9-12 | Chernyavsky | Full Year | $405 |
| Survey of High School Chemistry/Anatomy & Physiology | 10-12 | Holt | Full Year | $425 |
| Discovering Design with Chemistry | 10-12 | Kuehn | Full Year | $420 |
| Physics | 10-12 | Leibig | Full Year | $395 |
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Biology
Biology is a rigorous college-prep course with a strong biblical worldview that provides a detailed introduction to the methods and concepts of general biology. It provides the student with a solid background in the three-domain classification scheme, chemical principles needed for biology, cellular biology, microscopy, dissection, ecosystems, molecular and Mendelian genetics, biological origins, and recent advances in biology. The Master Books' Biology textbook breaks down complicated concepts and offers opportunities to practice, based on the principle that students who can understand and apply information do much better than those who simply memorize material. In-class labs and investigations provide opportunities to develop laboratory skills, such as careful observation and interpretation of data, while review activities are incorporated to reinforce concepts.
Discovering Design with Chemistry
This class replaces Apologia Chemistry. Discovering Design with Chemistry, the new curriculum created by Dr. Jay Wile (formerly of Apologia and author of Exploring Creation with... series), gives students a rigorous foundation in chemistry in order to be best prepared for a college-level course. This course covers significant figures, atomic and molecular structure, the mole concept, stoichiometry, thermodynamics, kinetics, acids and bases, redox reactions, solutions, gas laws, and equilibrium. In-class labs and investigations provide opportunities to develop laboratory skills, such as careful observation and interpretation of data, while review activities are incorporated to reinforce concepts.
General Science
With the help of Apologia's Exploring Creation with General Science, 3rd Edition, this course will introduce students to a wide variety of scientific topics found throughout many of the major fields of science. Students will begin the year by learning the basics of science, including a look into the history of science, the scientific method, scientific inquiry, and how to correctly conduct an experiment.Throughout the course, students will then be able to use the scientific method by participating in many hands-on experiements from the textbook.
Once students understand the basics of science, topics of study for the course will move into many of the major branches of science. Students will examine our universe through astronomy, and take a closer look at our planet's surface and atmosphere through the studies of earth science. Students will be examining and discussing space rocks and other geologic specimens such as fossils, rocks, and minerals. Studies will then move to the life sciences, including an introducation to the cell, the basic unit of life that contains the amazingly unique DNA structures found within us.
The course will continue with general chemistry experiments, introductory physics demonstrations, and even a look into the marine and environmental sciences. Packed with such a wide variety of science topics, this Apologia course is meant to equip and prepare students before they move into the high school sciences.
Introduction to Forensics
You’ve been engaged by “CSI” and have been fascinated by “NCIS,” but how accurately do these shows portray the realities of forensic science? The field of forensic science comprises several areas of study (anatomy, chemistry, biology, physics, etc.). This hands-on course integrates these sciences in the pursuit of justice. Students will focus on the criminal investigation process that will include crime scene investigation, evidence gathering procedures and subsequent laboratory analysis of evidence.
- This is a lab course and the students will be doing laboratory work almost every class
Middle School Chemistry & Physics
Usually to be taken after earth and/or life science, this chemistry and physics course will introduce students to experimental science along with an in-depth study of much of what we see happening in our physical world today. In the chemistry semester, students will learn about the basic atom, making molecules, chemical equations, and the periodic table of elements. Students will then apply this knowledge to understanding practical applications of chemistry in the world around them. In the physics semester, students will study different forms of energy and how they can convert from one to another following the first law of thermodynamics. Students will explore such topics as thermal energy, electricity, magnetism, sound and light waves, motion, and simple machines. Classroom time will be focused on labs and engaging activities in addition to teaching and review.
Middle School Earth Science
This science course will give students an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the popular topics found within both astronomy and earth science. During the astronomy lessons, students will take an imaginary trip through the universe to study stars, asteroids, meteors, our sun and moon, as well as each of the planets in our solar system. Students will then discover more about Planet Earth by gaining important knowledge of the earth’s surface and what lies both above and beneath us.
Popular science topics such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and weather patterns that produce hurricanes and tornadoes will all be discussed. Hands-on activities and experiments will be a major focus of the class, as students will have opportunities to examine real rocks, minerals, fossils, dinosaur bones, and even a meteorite.
Students will also be able to participate in class discussions about the curriculum along with the many, current geologic events that continue to have an effect on our world today. All of the material presented in the class will be taught from a creationist perspective, as we will often use biblical texts alongside the Answers in Genesis curriculum.
Middle School Life Science
This Life Science course will give students an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of plants, animals, and the environments in which they live. Students will begin the course with a study of the structures found in both plant and animal cells. They will then learn to use a sketchbook to diagram much of what is observed in class, including the parts of a plant from its seeds to its flowers and fruits. In the fall, students will also gather their own collection of different kinds of plants, seeds, and tree leaves to further study the life cycle of plants and the process of photosynthesis. In the second semester, students will then take a closer look into the animal kingdom and the extreme environments they live in. Examining real collections of insects, bones, shells, and fossils, students will study many different animals including birds, fish, and even dinosaurs. Using internet resources and video clips, students will also take a journey into the animal environments of forests, deserts, ice worlds, caves, and oceans. In the spring, a field trip to the St. Paul Como Zoo and Conservatory will help students gather important information to complete a science fair project from a life science topic of their choosing.
Physical Science
Proceeding from the premise of an omniscient, omnipotent God, Who designed and created the physical universe around us, this course provides an introduction to the concepts that are foundational to all of the physical sciences. These concepts include the scientific method, measurement, states of matter, energy, heat, atomic structure, molecules, chemical reactions, creation, motion, sound, light, electrostatics, magnetism, electricity, and electronics.
Physics
This class is for students in grades 10-12 who are ready to learn about how to describe the behavior of the natural world in precise mathematical terms. This course will study such diverse natural phenomena as light, sound, electricity, magnetism, and, of course, objects in linear and circular motion. We will study the concepts of velocity, work, energy, power, focal length, wave speed and electrical resistance. While there are some classroom demonstrations, most of the experiments will be done by the students in their home. All necessary equipment will be provided for the students to make precise measurements and verify that the theoretical frameworks that we study in class do indeed provide accurate descriptions of the natural world.
Survey of High School Chemistry/Anatomy & Physiology
Chemistry - Fall Class Description: High School Survey of Chemistry gives students a solid foundation in chemistry. Created for students who do not plan on pursuing science or math as college majors, this course still rigorously covers the major concepts of chemistry. Topics include significant figures, atomic and molecular structure, chemical reactions, the mole concept, stoichiometry, molarity, and gas laws while also exploring real-life applications. In-class labs and investigations provide opportunities to develop laboratory skills such as careful observation and interpretation of data, while review activities are incorporated to reinforce concepts.
Fall Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra I encouraged. Physical Science and/or Biology recommended.
Anatomy & Physiology - Spring Class Description: High School Survey of Anatomy & Physiology explores the mysteries and wonders of the human body, system by system. Acknowledging God as Master and Creator, students will see more clearly the beauty of God's design in individual organs as well as how they work together. Many resources will be utilized in addition to the textbook, including microscope labs, organ dissections, complementary videos, and hands-on manipulatives to encourage depth of understanding and retention. In-class labs and investigations provide opportunities to develop laboratory skills, such as careful observation and interpretation of data, while review activities are incorporated to reinforce concepts.
Spring Prerequisite: Biology