Rainshadow CCHS – Spring 2010 ID Science 3B Syllabus

This course explores science as a means of interdisciplinary inquiry with an emphasis

on the role of the physical sciences in understanding natural phenomena
Joe Ferguson: joe@rainshadowcchs.org * www.joerainshadow.weebly.com
Course Description: The course features investigation of interdisciplinary topics through the perspective
of atomic and molecular structures of matter, energy, and physical and chemical reaction and
interaction. Delivers Rainshadow & State of Nevada standards in the physical sciences.
Course Aims and Objectives for this Semester:
Upon completion of this Semester unit, students will;
- Study and understand the physical sciences from the perspective of the laws of motion and force: action
and reaction, gravity and light, electric and nuclear energies.
- Study and understand the physical sciences from the perspective of the structure of matter: atomic and
molecular structures and concomitant chemical reactions.
- Explore practical applications of the discoveries of physics and chemistry to everyday life.
- Discuss current world issues and problems with concern for understanding and conserving ecosystems
by way of comprehending and unifying problem solving through the lenses of physics and chemistry.
Requirements:
- participation in classroom activities every day
- record of daily activities, science proficiency practice problems, and notes
- completed portfolio of labs and assignments (see requirements below)
- completed projects, presentations, quizzes, and exams

Week / Dates Monday - Thursday

1) Jan 24 - 27 Course intro and class expectations. Water experiments and an intro to the scientific
method. What is Chemistry? No School Thursday (Professional Development)
2) Jan 31 - Feb 3 Chemical reaction, lab instrument accuracy, physical vs. chemical changes, qualitative vs.
quantitative observations.
3) Feb 8 - 11 Separation of a mixture, precision vs. accuracy, density, measurement & graphing.
4) Feb 14 - 17 Cut & paste dimensional analysis, number of aluminum atoms, calculating average
atomic mass.
5) Feb 21 - 24 Acrylic block elements, element investigation. No School Monday (President’s Day)
6) Feb 28 - Mar 3 Ionic formulas, nomenclature, Avogadro & the mole, hydrated compounds.
7) Mar 7 - 10 Types of chemical reactions, precipitation, limiting reagents, percent yield.
8) Mar 14 - 17 Intro to gas laws, metallic ions, periodic trends.
9) Mar 21 - 24 Penny alloy, electron dart probability, light, energy, & electrons. No School Thursday
(Professional Development)
10) Mar 28 - Mar 31 Metals, nonmetals, and metalloids, electron configuration & periodicity.
11) Apr 4 - 7 Ionic & covalent compounds, balloon molecular geometry, hybridization & models.
12) Apr 11 - 14 Sugar density column, states of matter, litmus & pH paper, acid-base titration.
13) Apr 18 - 21 Standardization of NaOH, acetic acid in vinegar, surface tension of water.
14) May 2 - 5 Types of chemical reactions, heat of fusion, specific heat.
15) May 9 - 12 Heat of neutralization, types of solutions, solution formation.
16) May 16 - 19 Properties of ice cream. No School Thursday (Professional Development)
17) May 23 - 26 Mono, di, or triprotic, Boyle’s Law, polymers.
18) May 30 - Jun 2 Course review. Final Exam. No School Monday (Memorial Day)
19) Jun 6 - 9 Last week. Course reflection. Updating the science section of your Rainshadow Portfolio.
Grading Policy and Assessment: This class will be based on an approximately 2,000 point system for
the 19 week period.
Point Breakdown:
Attendance and Participation – 500 points
Complete Folder of Work – 500 points
- includes classwork, projects, and lab exercises.
Major Projects, Presentations, Quizzes, & Exams – 500 points
Literacy Course – 500
Portfolio Contents: You will maintain a folder to be kept in-class with all of the assignments that you
complete for this class. You will also be required to maintain an online portfolio for each of your
Rainshadow classes where many of your assignments will be saved. At the end of the semester you will
complete your modified online school portfolio that will showcase all of your best work from this course.
Work done in this class should be included in the science section of your comprehensive Rainshadow
Portfolio.
 Interdisciplinary Science 3A & B
This course explores science as a means of interdisciplinary inquiry with an
emphasis on physical science.
This Junior-level Rainshadow Science course explores science as a means of interdisciplinary inquiry
with an emphasis on the role of the physical sciences in understanding natural phenomena. This
course features investigation of interdisciplinary topics through the perspective of atomic and
molecular structures of matter, energy, and physical and chemical reaction and interaction. This
course meets Rainshadow & State of Nevada standards for physical science and prepares students to
use science as a tool in careers, higher education, and life.
Objectives
Students will…
 …study and understand the physical sciences from the perspective of the laws of
motion and force: action and reaction, gravity and light, electric and nuclear energies.
S1 (P.12.B.1-4) Forces and Motion: laws of motion, gravity, machines, pressure, density, buoyancy,
electricity, and magnetism.
S3 (P.12.C.1-6) Energy and Matter: energy forms, changes of state, heat and temperature, waves,
circuits, changes in systems.
S5 (P.12.C.1-6) Nuclear and Electromagnetic Energy: behavior of light, nuclear applications, nuclear
waste disposal, electromagnetic energies.
 …study and understand the physical sciences from the perspectives of the structure
of matter: atomic and molecular structures and concomitant chemical reactions.
S2 (P.12.A.1-9) Structure of Matter: physical properties, chemical bonding, atomic theory, systems of
particles, molecular theory.
S4 (P.12.A.1-9) Chemical Reaction: conservation of matter, rates of reaction, transformation of matter,
chemical properties.
 …explore practical applications of the discoveries of physics and chemistry to
everyday life.
S19 (N.12.A.1-6) Reasoning and Critical Response Skills: evaluate data, credibility of sources,
cost/benefits analysis, system analysis, hypotheses, laws, theories, rules, generalization, assumption,
analogy models.
 …discuss current world issues and problems with concern for understanding and
conserving ecosystems by way of comprehending and unifying problem solving through
the lenses of physics and chemistry.
S16 (E.12.C.1-5) Natural Resources: consequences of resource use, recycling processes, careers, use of
natural resources, depletion, environmental degradation.
S17 (N.12.B.1-4) Conservation: analyze and evaluate consumption patterns, conservation efforts,
equilibriums, environmental issues, global concerns, trade offs, responsible behavior.