Rainshadow CCHS – Fall 2009 ID Science 2A Syllabus

This course will take an intensive look at Biology as a tool for interdisciplinary inquiry.
Joe Ferguson *** joe@rainshadowcchs.org *** www.joerainshadow.weebly.com
Course Description: This second year RS Science course provides will take an intensive look at
Biology as a tool for interdisciplinary inquiry focusing on the microscopic and macroscopic worlds by
using labs, hands-on activities, field trips, critical readings, research, and class discussions. It will
examine global issues and problems through the critical lens of Biology, including the function of cells
and organisms, the biological nature of life, and a wide range of current issues that relate to Biology.
This course meets Rainshadow & State of Nevada standards for Life Science and prepares students to
use science as a tool in careers, higher education, and life.
Course Aims and Objectives for this 9 Weeks:
Upon completion of this 9 week unit, students will;
- Study the structures and functions of life: life cycles, equilibrium, cellular organization, and
environment.
- Examine and understand the fundamental concepts of heredity and diversity.
- Explore multiple perspectives and view points on the origins and emergence of life.
- Understand biological classification and taxonomy.
- Apply concepts in biology to current and enduring world issues and problems.
Requirements:
- participation in classroom activities every day.
- record of daily activities, current events, notes, and vocabulary flash cards.
- completed portfolio of assignments. (see requirements below)
- completed projects, presentations, quizzes, and exams.
- completed Science Fair Project.

Week / Dates Tuesday Thursday

School rules and regulations. Course Intro to the scientific method and
1) Sept. 1, 3 intro and class expectations. Course Rainshadow’s first annual science fair. Gather
syllabus and website. science fair project ideas. What is biology?
Intro to science methods. Deductive Scientific inquiry and the scientific method.
2) Sept. 8, 10
reasoning project. Finding ideas for your science fair projects.
The origins of life and a history of the The chemical basis of life: atoms, molecules,
3) Sept. 15, 17
earth. Where did we come from. water.
Cellular organization, structure, and
4) Sept. 22, 24 The cell: an introduction.
transport.
5) Sept. 9, Oct. 1 Enzymes, metabolism, and respiration. Plant cells and photosynthesis.
6) Oct. 6, 8 The cell project: an introduction. Finish the cell project.
7) Oct. 13, 15 Evolution and population genetics. Taxonomy and systematic.
8) Oct. 20, 22 An introduction to the kingdoms of life. The kingdoms of life project.
Introduction to owl ecology: food webs
9) Oct. 27, 29 Population ecology and species interaction.
and chains.
10) Nov. 3, 5 Owl pellet dissection project. Finish owl pellet project.
11) Nov. 10, 12 Community and ecosystems ecology. An introduction to biomes.
12) Nov. 17, 19 Biomes project work. Finish biomes project.
13) Nov. 24, 26 Planet Earth Video: Pole to Pole. No School: Thanksgiving Holiday
An introduction to human anatomy.
14) Dec. 1, 3 The muscular-skeletal system and Animal reproduction and development.
locomotion.
15) Dec. 8, 10 The respiratory system. The circulatory system.
16) Dec. 15, 17 The nervous system. The endocrine system.
 Putting the finishing touches on our science
17) Jan. 5, 7 Finishing our science fair projects.
fair projects. In-class mini science fair.
18) Jan. 12, 14 Mini-science fair project evaluations. Course review and final exam study guide.
Last class. Course reflection. Updating the
19) Jan. 19, 21 Final Exam.
science section of your Rainshadow Portfolio.

Grading Policy and Assessment: This class will be based on an approximately 2,500 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
Science Fair Project – 500
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 2A & B
This course explores science as a means of interdisciplinary inquiry with
an emphasis on life science.
This Sophomore-level Rainshadow science course will be an intensive look at Biology as a tool for
interdisciplinary inquiry focusing on the microscopic and macroscopic worlds, by using labs, critical
readings, research, and class discussions. It will examine global issues and problems through the
critical lens of Biology, including the function of cells and organisms, the biological nature of life,
and a wide range of current issues that relate to Biology. This course meets Rainshadow & State of
Nevada standards for Life Science and prepares students to use science as a tool in careers, higher
education, and life.
Objectives
Students will…
 …study the structures and functions of life: life cycles, equilibrium, cellular
organization, and environment.
S6 (L.12.B.1-3) Structure and Function: life cycles and disruption, equilibrium, cellular organization,
environment, plant structures
S7 (L.12.C.1-4) Internal and External Influences: behavior and survival, response to environment,
nervous system and behavior, viral disease
 …examine and understand the fundamental concepts of heredity and diversity.
S8 (L.12.A.1-5) Heredity and Diversity: Genetic instructions and codes, DNA variation and
classification, patters of inheritance, species differentiation, mutations
 …explore multiple perspectives and view points on the origins and emergence of
life.
S9 (L.12.D.1-6) Evolution: genetic and environmental influences, fossil record, natural selection,
adaptation, life origins, evidence, extinction, influences
S12 (E.12.C.1-5) Earth History: change over time, geological record, fossil record, radioactive dating
S19 (N.12.A.1-6) Reasoning and Critical Response Skills: evaluate data, credibility of sources,
cost/benefit analysis, risk analysis, system analysis, hypotheses, laws, theories, rules, generalization,
assumption, analogies models.
S21 (N.12.A.1-6) Values and Attitudes: curiosity, honesty, skepticism, reproducing results, multiple
explanations.
 …understand biological classification and taxonomy.
S6 (L.12.B.1-3) Structure and Function: life cycles and disruption, equilibrium, cellular organization,
environment, plant structures
S15 (L.12.C.1-4) Ecosystems: biodiversity and ecosystems, cycles of matter and energy, food webs,
Nevada bioregions.
 …apply concepts in biology to current and enduring world issues and problems.
S15 (L.12.C.1-4) Ecosystems: biodiversity and ecosystems, cycles of matter and energy, food webs,
Nevada bioregions.
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,
equilibrium, environmental issues, global concerns, trade offs, responsible behavior.
S18 (N.12.B.1-4) Scientific, Historical, and Technological Perspectives: scientific processes and
rules, economic influences on research, public policy, science as collaboration, disputes and
interpretations, technological outcomes and consequences, theory production, ethics

**Complete a Science Fair Project**