Some school districts require students to complete four years of science; some require them to complete only three. Students have already been introduced to most of these concepts in their middle school years, but in highschool they would explore them in greater depth. The basic curriculum for science in high school is as follows.
In the 9th grade, a basic science curriculum focuses primarily on earth science, and molecules. Topics would include the earth’s history, earth science, ecology and environment. They would learn about weather and climate, air and air pressure, air masses and air fronts. Water and its uses, erosion, air and water pollution, heats and fuels are also important topics. Students would cover electricity and electronics, solar and nuclear energy, nature and uses of light, simple machines and complex machines. In the chemistry category, they would learn atomic structure, chemistry of matter, molecular theory, nature and use of chemicals, and metals and plastics. Finally they would also cover Space and astronomy, space travel and the nature and causes of disease.
In the 10TH grade, lessons are centered on biology. Topics are characteristics of life, classification, history of plants and animals, microscopic life, and simple organisms including algae, bacteria, and fungi. Vertebrate life, mammals and birds, plant life, and photosynthesis are also covered. Students learn about cells, protein synthesis, genetics and heredity, DNA-RNA, and genetic engineering. Reproduction and growth are major topics in addition to human biology, nutrition and digestion. Behavior, conservation of human resources, environmental issues, energy in ecosystems is also taught. Scientific method is taught (again) as well as biology and space travel, and disease and disease control.
In the 11TH grade, Lessons focus on Chemistry. Topics are matter and its behavior, carbon and its compounds, formulas and chemical equations, acids, bases, and salts.
Atomic theory, periodic law, water and solutions, chemical bonding, molecular theory, equilibrium and kinetics, spontaneous reactions, titrations, ionization and ionic solutions, are taught as well. Colloids, suspensoids, and emulsoids, oxidation-reduction, nonmetals, metals and alloys are important topics as well as electrochemistry, energy: forms, chemical changes, and measurement, and nuclear reactions and radioactivity.
12TH science if require is primarily focused on physics. Students learn about electricity and magnetism, photoelectric effect, heat, light and optics, sound and acoustics, and wave motion. Quantum theory, relativity, force, mechanics, space, time, and motion are also taught as well as work, energy, and power. Additional topics are electronics, nuclear energy, nuclear physics and solid-state physics.
Instead of following this guideline a homeschooler has the options of taking classes in general science, Chemistry, biology, physics, and advanced chemistry, biology, and physics.
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