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Middle
Academy
Science classes at BCA are designed to help a student
develop note-taking skills and learn how to research a
subject through using the scientific method. Learning lab
skills and how to cooperate with different lab partners, the
student gains an appreciation for using scientific terms and
works to evaluate questions based on evidence. Gathering and
analyzing data are key skills to enable a student to draw
scientific conclusions.
Science I is typically a two year program involving both
earth and life sciences. The students are predominantly 5th
and 6th graders, but 7th graders do join us. This program
ensures the students will have laboratory investigations,
experimentations, and class work as they learn science. The
program covers the study of human body, including genetics;
cells - both animal and plant; marine biology; insects;
fish; dissection; research studies - using lab equipment;
chemistry; plate tectonics, including earthquakes and
volcanoes; astronomy. These studies are the foundation of
science so that the students will be able to progress
confidently in their further science studies. We seek to
prepare the students for not only physical science, but for
biology and chemistry in the high school arena.
IPS (Introduction to Physical Science) This course is for
7th or 8th graders. We will study Genetics 2 - learn the
history of genetics, follow a pedigree, explain the laws of
Mendel, complete crossings and calculations; Chemistry -
study atoms / molecules, demonstrate bonding, examine
chemical reactions, balance equations; Rocks and Minerals -
know the properties of minerals, identify various minerals
by their characteristics, distinguish between organic and
inorganic, identify igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic
rocks, discuss fossils; Water - understand the composition
of water, explain water’s polarity, demonstrate hydrogen
bonding, experiment with hard and soft water; Forces in
Creation, namely Gravitational force - discuss force and
circular motion, explain the force in our solar system,
identify causes of gravitational force, and Nuclear force -
study the structure of the atom, demonstrate the strong
nuclear force, examine radioactivity and rate of decay,
discuss radioactive dating.
Upper Academy
Physical Science -Physical Science is an eighth grade
course, taught at an honors level, resulting in high school
credit. It fulfills the first of three years of science
required by the state for high school graduates. This course
is an introduction to physical science at a high school
level. Topics covered will include: Measurement, properties
of matter, atoms, Periodic Table of Elements, forces between
atoms, chemical reactions, solutions, acids, bases, salts,
energy, momentum, mechanics, work and machines, electricity,
magnetism, sound waves and the electromagnetic spectrum.
This course is designed to adequately prepare your child for
further, more advanced study in both chemistry and physics,
as it provides a detailed introduction to both. The Bob
Jones series does a wonderful job of teaching the subject
while drawing attention to the role that God has had in its
creation. We also do an element research project first
semester and a book study on the connections between what
has been discovered scientifically that had already been
predicted or referred to in the bible during the second
semester.
Biology - Biology is usually taken following Physical
Science in the ninth grade or tenth grade year. This class
will fulfill the second of three science high school credits
required. This course is an introduction to biology at a
high school level. We look at living things through the eyes
of a biologist, with appreciation for all of God’s work in
the creation of them. We will cover the seven kingdoms and
their related phyla, the chemistry of life, genetics, the
theory of evolution, and cell structure. This course is
designed to give a basic introduction to the vast subject of
biology and to prepare your child for a college-level
course. We also do a research project on a biologist first
semester and a book study of Case for a Creator by Lee
Strobel in the second semester.
Chemistry - Chemistry is the third science offered to
fulfill the required credits. It is usually taken in the
eleventh or twelfth grade year. This course is an
introduction to chemistry at a high school level. Topics
covered will include: measurement, units, energy of heat and
temperature, atoms and molecules, classification and changes
of matter, molecules, atoms, chemical equations, polyatomic
ions, molecular geometry, acid and base chemistry,
solutions, thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibrium, and
oxidation and reduction reactions. This course is designed
to adequately prepare your child for a college-level course
as it provides a detailed introduction to chemistry. Once
again, the Apologia series does a wonderful job of teaching
the subject while drawing attention to the role that God has
had in its creation. In the first semester we also do a
chemical research project, while second semester we add a
book study on the morality of science and how scientific
discoveries should be used.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:
Science 1
– Instructor: Diane Wright. A two year program
covering the following: Plate tectonics - including the
study of earthquakes and volcanoes; introduce astronomy -
studying the stars, especially characteristics of our sun,
constellations, planets in our solar system, asteroids,
comets, and meteors; experience dissecting worms and frogs;
use lab activities to learn how to function in a lab
situation measuring mass, length, volume, and density;
conduct experiments on aspirin, food, and toothpaste;
examine rocks and minerals by observing their composition,
identify unknowns in a lab situations. Study cells
including their structure, activities and mitosis; observe
one-celled plants and animals; examine invertebrates such as
mollusks, arthropods, and echinoderms; learn about fish,
amphibians, and reptiles; focus on the human body including
the skeletal system, digestive system, cardiovascular
system, and genetics.
IPS
- Instructor: Diane Wright. Introduction to Physical
Science - Chemistry - atoms and molecules and use the
periodic table; learn to work with the metric system; study
the wonders of water - its composition, polarity, hydrogen
bonding, and other characteristics; examine in a more
in-depth manner the earth and the lithosphere including
earthquakes and volcanoes (specifically New Madrid Fault,
San Andreas Fault, and Mt. St. Helens volcano); learn about
Newton and Kepler including their laws and contributions to
science; study the forces in creation concentrating on
gravitational force and nuclear force; solve genetic
questions.
Physical Science
– Instructor: Kelly Barrett. Usually taken in 8th
or 9th grade, taught at an honors level,
resulting in high school credit (fulfills the first of three
years of science required for high school graduation).
Topics covered will include measurement, properties of
matter, atoms, Periodic Table of Elements, forces between
atoms, chemical reactions, solutions, acids, bases, salts,
energy, momentum, mechanics, work and machines, electricity,
magnetism, sound waves and the electromagnetic spectrum.
This course is designed to adequately prepare your child for
further, more advanced study in both chemistry and physics,
as it provides a detailed introduction to both. We do an
element research project first semester and a book study on
the connections between what has been discovered
scientifically that had already been predicted or referred
to in the bible during the second semester.
Biology
– Instructor: Kelly Barrett. Usually taken following
Physical Science in 9th or 10th grade
and will fulfill the second of three science high school
credits required. We look at living things through the eyes
of a biologist, with appreciation for all of God’s work in
the creation of them. We will cover the seven kingdoms and
their related phyla, the chemistry of life, genetics, the
theory of evolution, and cell structure. This course is
designed to give a basic introduction to the vast subject of
biology and to prepare a student for a college-level course.
We do a research project on a biologist first semester and a
book study of Case for a Creator by Lee Strobel in
the second semester.
Chemistry
– Instructor: Kelly Barrett. Usually taken following
Biology in 10th or 11th grade and will
fulfill the third of three science high school credits
required. Topics covered will include: measurement, units,
energy of heat and temperature, atoms and molecules,
classification and changes of matter, molecules, atoms,
chemical equations, polyatomic ions, molecular geometry,
acid and base chemistry, solutions, thermodynamics,
kinetics, equilibrium, and oxidation and reduction
reactions. This course is designed to adequately prepare a
student for a college-level course as it provides a detailed
introduction to chemistry. In the first semester we do a
chemical research project, while second semester we add a
book study on the morality of science and how scientific
discoveries should be used.
Physics
– Instructor: Kelly Barrett. Detailed introduction to
the methods and concepts of general physics. Heavily
emphasizing vector analysis, this course is ideal
preparation for a university-level physics course. Provides
the student with a strong background in one-dimensional and
two-dimensional motion, Newton’s laws and their application,
gravity, work and energy, momentum, periodic motion, waves,
optics, electrostatics, electrodynamics, electric circuits
and magnetism. Normally taken in the 11th or 12th
grade year following chemistry. Prerequisite: Algebra 1 and
2.
Human Anatomy & Physiology - Instructor: Kelly Barrett.
Advanced biology course; the Apologia series explains
that “combined with Exploring Creation with Biology,
it gives the student the equivalent of a university biology
course. In other words, these two courses together cover the
entire "advanced placement" (AP) curriculum.” This course
covers the anatomy and physiology of the 11 organ system s
in the human body. We will, again, use the Apologia series,
ensuring that the material is tastefully presented from a
Christian perspective. There are several involved
dissections and we will make use of an advanced “coloring
book” that will help tremendously in the students’
understanding the functions and composition of the human
body. Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry. |
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