ISciS is a 3 year program of integrated science that includes physical science, chemistry, biology, and earth and space science. The curriculum is based upon the national and state standards in science. In the following outline, the letter abbreviations P, C, B, and E will be used to stand for these areas. Each semester will have a culminating project that drives the work of that semester.
YEAR 1 - ISciS I
SEMESTER 1: How do you measure up?
Metric System (P,C,B,E)
Volume (P,C,B,E)
Mass (P,C,B,E)
Characteristic Properties (P,C,)
Separation of Mixtures (P,C,E)
Graphing (P,C,B,E)
Topographic Maps (E)
The Water Cycle (E,B)PROJECT: The SLUDGE TEST with Water Pollution Computer Simulation
SEMESTER 2:
Quarter 3: Get EnergizedRespiration and Photosynthesis (C,B)
Formulas and Equations (C,B,E)
Energy associated with Equations (C,B,E)
Types of Energy (P,C,E)
Speaker: Commonwealth EdisonPROJECT: Solar House
Energy Usage Pro's and Con's Research ProjectQuarter 4: Down in the Dumps
Ecosystems (B)
Nitrogen Fixing/cycle (C,B,E)
Water Analysis and Contamination (C,E)
Recycling (B,E)Field Trip: Visit the Carol Stream Recycling Center
Visit Mallard Lake LandfillPROJECT: Local Environmental Problem selected by Class
World Ecological Problem SymposiumYEAR 2 -ISciS II
Semester 1: Let’s Weather the Storm
Gas Laws (P,C,E)
Weather (P,B,E)
Seasons (P,B,E)
Earthquakes and Volcanos (P,B,E)
Plate Tectonics (E)
Planets (E)PROJECT: Weather Report
Field Trip: Planetarium
Semester 2: Let's All Bond This Semester
Model of the Atom (I,C)
Types of Matter (I,C,E)
Moles (C)
Stoichiometry (C)
Rates of Reactions (C,B,E)
Bonding (C,B)
Cellular Processes (C,B)
Astronomy (E)
Elements in the Universe (C,B,E)Project: Celestial Observations
Field Trip: Amoco
Year 3 -ISciS III
Semester 1: Who Dunnit?
Crime Unit
Cells (B)
Solution Behavior (B,C,E)
Acid-Base (B,C,E)
DNA (C,B)
Police and Forensic VisitProject: Murder Mystery
Genetics (B)
Statistics (B)Project: Fruit Flies
Semester 2: Are You a Monkey’s Uncle??
Evolution (B,E)
Radioactive Dating (C,B,E)
Nuclear Chemistry (C)
Classification Schemes (B,C,E)
Big Bang Theory (C,E)
Geologic Time (B,E)
Project: PAX Nuclear Reactor
Field Trip: Natural History Museum