We need your help! Sign up today as a 'Shifter' for Dr. Kuban's Environmental Science Video Project and help win NCHS $50,000
Chuck Johnson, NCHS parent, volunteer and President of Big
Bad Wolf Creative Group, is producing a two-video documentary as part of a
contest to show how a teacher is making a change in society or the environment.
The subject of the documentary is Dr. Joe Kuban, NCHS Ecology teacher, and
his current work with the Tandy Hills project. The first video has been submitted,
and the spring video is due by March 31st. The contest is supported by Quantum
Shift TV, an online social and environmental community, and awards up to $50,000
in cash and prizes.
This is where you come in. A very important part
of the contest process includes community participation in viewing and choosing
the potentially
winning video and contestant. Everyone in the Nolan Catholic community can
help. Here's how:
• Log on to the Quantum Shift web site at http://www.quantumshift.tv/schools
• click on Sign up!
• create an account, log on to your new account, enroll as a "shifter"
and choose the "Nolan Ecology Program" team. That signifies you
as someone who
supports the school and project. This extends to anyone who wants to participate
– grandparents, friends, co-workers, etc.
By signing up shifters, NCHS is awarded points which tally to determine the
semifinalists in the contest. The top 25 point totals will advance to the
semifinals.
The top three finalists will be determined by a panel of judges based on the
following criteria:
~ Community Involvement — 20%
~ Environmental Impact — 20%
~ Social Impact — 20%
~ Student Involvement and Learning — 20%
~ Video Storytelling — 20%
Please help us get to the semifinals by signing up today. Participating in
this contest will be a great way to show support for all Dr. Kuban has done
for the
ecology program at Nolan Catholic. For more information, contact Chuck
Johnson or Connie Brown.
Science
Freshmen students will be placed in science for the first year based on their
Nolan Catholic placement test scores, previous testing and their grades from
8th grade.
Beginning with this Class of 2009 graduation requirements include 4 years of Science.
Students who want a strong science background are advised to include physics and chemistry in their four year plan
407 - Science
7
This laboratory science course includes the study of the seven biological
kingdoms, basic human anatomy, and the biosphere.
Grade: 7 All Year
Prerequisite: None
408 - Science
8
Science 8 is a study of the Earth: its features, its forces, and its place
in the universe. Students gain insight and appreciation for the way scientific
knowledge is attained. This course also examines the internal and external
forces affecting the earth's surface, landforms, atmosphere, and history.
Grade: 8 All Year
Prerequisite: None
409 – Biology
Honors
This course is designed for students who have demonstrated superior verbal
and linguistic skills and are committed to spending extra hours in lab. It
elaborates on basic concepts, uses more technical vocabulary and includes
labs that require more skill and analysis than biology. Students will explore
scientific phenomena in the laboratory as well as read about the questions
pursued by other scientists as published in scientific journals. Classroom
investigation and experimentation emphasize scientific skills such as observing,
measuring, replicating experiments and manipulating equipment and collecting
and reporting data. Some experimentation will be directed and some open ended.
Grade: 9-12 All Year
Prerequisite: Enrollment in (202) English I Credit: 1
Honors, Algebra I honors, Geometry or
Honors Geometry. Required summer reading.
410 - Biology
Biology is a laboratory-oriented survey of the structure and function of living
organisms. Topics include biochemistry, cell anatomy and physiology, genetics,
evolutionary theory, and a comparative survey of major phyla in the 3- domain/
7- kingdom classification system.
Grade: 9-12 All Year
Prerequisite: None Credit: 1
419 – Integrated Physics and Chemistry
This laboratory course provides a basic introduction to chemical and physical
concepts. This course can serve as preparation for physics or an alternative
to physics as another year of science required for graduation
Grade: 9 – 12 No prerequisite All Year Credit: 1
413 - Environmental
Systems
This course examines the interaction of humans with the environment and is
an integration of materials from the biological. physical and social sciences.
This course, which can serve as the third science credit required for graduation,
is suggested for students interested in applied ecology and related sciences.
Grade: 11-12 All Year
Prerequisite: Biology and one other Credit: 1
science credit
420 - Physics
I
A laboratory-oriented introduction to mechanics, heat, light, sound, electricity,
magnetism, and atomic-nuclear physics, this is a college preparatory course
requiring sound reading and mathematics skills.
Grade: 10-12 All Year Credit: 1
Prerequisites: Biology and one year of high school mathematics. Students must
earn a minimum semester average of 82% in the mathematics and science courses
taken the previous year.
415 - Chemistry
I
This course studies the relationship between the structure and properties
of matter. The laboratory work applies theoretical concepts and the scientific
method. This is a college preparatory course requiring sound reading and mathematics
skills.
Grade: 11-12 All Year
Prerequisite: Biology, two years of Credit: 1
high school mathematics, physics or integrated
physics & chemistry. Student must earn a minimum semester average of 82%
in all science and mathematics courses.
412 – Scientific
Research & Design - Honors
Ecology introduces the biological study of populations, communities, and ecosystems.
This research course emphasizes the acquisition of data and formulation of
hypotheses based on data
gathered both from current and previous studies. Overnight field trips are
required. Field trip expenses are approximately $100 per student.
Grade: 12 All Year
Prerequisite: A minimum semester Credit: 1 average of 82% in both Physics
& Chem.
Departmental Approval, Biology, Chemistry I*,
Physics I* (*may be taken concurrently)
423 – Physics
II – Advanced Placement
AP Physics II studies advanced topics in physics with emphasis on mechanics,
electricity, and magnetism. This course is algebra-trig based and stresses
problem solving. Upon completion, the student will be prepared to take the
Advanced Placement Physics C test.
Grade: 12 All Year
Prerequisite: A minimum semester Credit: 1
average of 88% in both Physics and Chem., Physics I, Chemi. I, AP Application,
Dept.App.
425 – Anatomy/Physiology,
Honors
Anatomy and Physiology studies the structure and function of the human body.
Cat dissection is done for comparative anatomy.
Grade: 12 All Year
Prerequisite: A minimum semester Credit: 1
average of 82% in both Physics and
Chemistry. Chemistry I*, Biology I, Physics I*,
*may be taken concurrently and Departmental Approval
| Field
Biology (Summer Session Only) This is a three-week, intensive course outlining the basic rules of ecological study with an emphasis on the techniques for the measurement and analysis of field data. Field trips to Port Aransas (marine biology) and Big Bend National Park (desert ecology) are included. Registration for this course will be in the spring and handled by Dr. Kuban. There is a $500.00 fee (includes both field expeditions) Prerequisite: Biology Summer Credit: .5 |
426 – AP
Chemistry – Advanced Placement
This course is equivalent to general chemistry taken during the first college
year. Students will focus on chemical problem solving. The topics presented
in depth are atomic structure, kinetics, chemical equilibrium, and basic thermodynamics.
Lab procedures and techniques are also emphasized and are equivalent to a
college lab course. Students will be required to take the Chemistry AP exam
in May.
Grade: 12 All Year
Prerequisites: A minimum average Credit: 1
of 88%in Physics and Chemistry.
Biology I, Physics I, Chemistry I, AP application
nd Departmental Approval
