Sigma Xi
Partners in Science

Subject outlines for science courses at different grade levels.

Overview

List of scientists

For teachers

Ideas for scientists

Curriculum subjects

This outline is intended for scientists to get ideas on subjects that are covered in the science courses in local schools. The regents curriculum is rather explicit, so enrichment in specific elements of that curriculum are especially valuable.

Please choose phrases from this list to indicate where you have expertise. They are helpful words that enable teachers to place your knowledge in their context. That will help teachers identify whom to call to discuss presentations in their classes.

 

 

Courses:

Regents biology 9-11th grade
  1. Living vs. nonliving
  2. The cell
  3. Equipment and lab techniques
  4. Fossils and dating
  5. Classification (Taxonomy?)
  6. Biochemistry
  7. Organic chemistry
  8. Animals: Nutrition, digestion, transport, circulation, respiration, excretion, regulation, locomotion, reproduction. (Organisms: amoeba, paramecium, hydra, earthworm, grasshopper, human.).
  9. Plants: same subtopics
  10. Genetics
  11. Evolution
  12. Ecology
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AP biology 11-12th grade

Molecules and cells (25%):

  1. Biochemistry (Water, free energy, enzymes)
  2. Cells (prokaryotes vs eukaryotes, membranes, cytology, cell cycle regulation)
  3. Energetics (respiration, photosynthesis)
Heredity and evolution (33%):
  1. Heredity (meiosis, gametogenesis, eukaryotic chromosome, Mendelian inheritance)
  2. Molecular genetics (RNA and DNA structure & function, gene regulation, mutation, viral structure, DNA technology)
  3. Evolutionary biology (origin of life, evolutionary mechanisms)
  4. Diversity (patterns of evolution, diversity of life, phylogeny)
Structure and function (33%)
  1. Reproduction
  2. Growth and development
  3. Adaptations
  4. Responses to the environment.
Ecology (10%)
  1. Population dynamics
  2. Communities and ecosystems
  3. Global issues.
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Earth Science High School

Geology

  1. Earth as a planet
  2. Unique conditions on Earth
  3. Other planets, the sun
  4. Earth History:
  5. Eras and periods
  6. Evolution
  7. Plate movement
  8. Earthquakes and volcanoes
  9. Atmospheric Composition and Weather:
  10. Barometric pressure
  11. Relative humidity
  12. Precipitation
  13. Weathering, erosion
Biology
  1. Life - definition and exceptions/special cases
  2. Cells, organelles, tissues, systems
  3. Plant vs. animals - specialization
  4. Human biology
  5. Evolution and natural selection
  6. Health and wellness
  7. Organization of ecosystems
Physics:
  1. Work, energy, machines- conservation of energy, efficiency
  2. Electricity - static vs. current
  3. Magnetism - super conduction
  4. Light |
  5. Sound |wave properties
  6. Linear vs. cyclic motion
Chemistry:
  1. Matter - atoms, elements, compounds, mixtures
  2. Periodic table
  3. Chemical reactions
  4. Gas laws
  5. Energy of food - calorimetry
  6. Nuclear reactions
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Regents Chemistry
  1. Scientific method
  2. Equations
  3. Measurement
  4. Matter Solutions
  5. Energy Kinetics
  6. Structure of the atom
  7. Phases of matter
  8. Gas laws
  9. Chemical bonding
  10. Periodic table
  11. Chemical formula
  12. Stoichiometry
  13. Math of chemical equations
  14. Thermodynamics
  15. Equilibrium
  16. Acids, bases, salts
  17. Oxidation and reduction
  18. Electrochemistry
  19. Organic chemistry
  20. Nuclear chemistry
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Occupational Science High School

I. Ecology

    1. Population
    2. Population density
    3. Effects
    4. Ecosystems - communities
    5. Limiting factors
    6. Predator/prey - pesticide
    7. Intra and interspecific competition
    8. Organism relationships, parasitism, commensalism, mutualism
    9. Human population
    B. The Ecosystem
    1. Pyramids - energy, numbers, mass
    2. Recycle matter - use energy
    3. Effects of medium, water, soil, light, and temperature
    C. Origin and Distribution of Communities
    1. Forest development - succession (primary and secondary)
    2. Climax communities
    3. Biomes
    D. Environment
    1. Pollution - Pesticides
    2. Food Chains and Web
    3. Producers, consumers, decomposers
    4. Air and water pollution
II. Genetics
    1. Spontaneous vs. biogenesis
    2. Mitosis - phases vs. chromosome
    3. Meiosis - gametogenesis - phases vs. chromosome
    B. Reproduction: Heredity
    1. Mendel's work
    2. Segregation
    3. Punnett square
    4. Probability - product rule
    5. Complete vs. incomplete dominance
    6. 1 & 2 trait Punnett square
    7. Multiple alleles
    C. Reproduction: Genes & Chromosomes
    1. Sex chromosomes
    2. Sex-linked traits
    3. Nondisjunction - gene linkage - crossing over
    4. Human genetics - genetic diseases
III. Human Systems: IV. Physics
    1. Units - distance, area, mass, weight, volume, time temperature
    2. Prefixes - number value
    3. Scientific notation
    4. Significant digits and accuracy
    5. Measurement precision
    6. Calculations in measurements
    B. Problem Solving
    1. Formulas, rearranging and substituting data
    2. Problem Solving Method
    C. Motion
    1. Displacement - vectors
    2. Velocity - calculations
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Life Science 7th Grade

1. What is Science?

2. Cells Plant and animal Parts of a cell Functions of a cell

3. Heredity

4. The five kingdoms

5. Ecology and Biomes of the world

6. Weather. Including organisms' adaptations to the environment.

  • Application: examine environmental issues and debate bioethics.
  • Science skills are reinformed in all areas of study.
  • Science careers are discussed at the end of each unit.

    •  

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    Elementary science curricula

    Geneva Central School District 2001-02

    The order of the topics corresponds to the sequence through the school year.

    For scientists who are planning a new program for elementary schools, a much longer description of the goals and activities at each grade level is available for loan from Thomas Björkman (787-2218, tnb1@cornell.edu)

    Kindergarten

    Time
    Weather
    Matter
    Senses
    Measurement
    Safety
    Plants & animals
    Similar & different

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    Grade 1

    The Earth

    Matter

    Biology

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    Grade 2

    Physics (A)

    Biology (A)

    Physics (B)

    Earth Science

    Health

    Biology (B)

    Grade 3

    Health

    Biology

    Physics

    Earth Science

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    Grade 4

    Biology

    Physics

    Earth Science

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    Grade 5

    Biology

    Earth science

    Chemistry

     

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