— Trinity High School: Curriculum

Preliminary Curriculum: Science

Objectives:

To increase the students’ fundamental knowledge of the major scientific concepts in earth science, biology, chemistry, and physics.

To build an understanding of the integrated nature of these concepts.

To develop critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.

To make connections, where possible, between science, religion, and the humanities.

Description:
Three years of science are required for graduation. An optional fourth year of advanced biology will also be offered, along with additional science electives in future years as the school’s size increases (including such courses as advanced chemistry and physics; earth science; and science and technology). The anticipated science course sequence will be as follows:

9th	10th	11th	12th
Physics	Chemistry	Biology	Possible Electives: Advanced Biology Advanced Chemistry Environmental Science Astronomy

This course sequence has been chosen because it builds a solid foundation for understanding the complexity of the life sciences, which are now best taught from a molecular and physical perspective. It allows students to deal early on with the more concrete concepts and applications of physical science, and then progress to the more abstract, complex, interconnected topics and issues of life science later in their high school years.

Physics and chemistry units will likely include the structure and properties of matter; the structure of atoms; motions and forces; conservation of energy and increase in disorder; chemical reactions; and interactions of energy and matter. Biology units will likely include cell structure and function; behavior and interdependence of organisms; origins (including evolution) and heredity; and matter, energy, and organization in living systems.

In light of its classical mission, Trinity is committed to helping students make connections between the sciences, and also between the sciences and other disciplines. Our science curriculum will explicitly strive to help students identify and understand these interdisciplinary connections.

Trinity School of Durham and Chapel Hill
4011 Pickett Road, Durham, NC 27705
919.402.8262 voice + 919.402.0762 fax