Upper School Science

The sciences at Hawken Upper School are grounded in a tradition of excellence, inspiration and innovation. From international science competitions to courses in designing solutions for global problems to research and internship opportunities with field experts, Hawken students connect to an ever-changing world – one that requires them to be both adaptable and skilled.

The complexity and significance of the pressing scientific issues of the day ensure that this current generation of students will face unique and formidable challenges, and thus Hawken science teachers challenge students not only to broaden their knowledge base, but to develop the skills and utilize the tools needed to track dynamic new developments in science.

Requirements/Sequence of Course:

Freshman biology serves as a launching point into a wider curriculum that is augmented by both interdisciplinary and experiential components.
All students are required to complete at least one year each of biology, chemistry, and physics.
This initial common experience is designed to inform and train students to navigate an increasingly individualized and complex program in science that includes the entire slate of AP offerings, and elective classes such as Principles of Engineering and Design, and Designing Solutions for Global Problems.

Program Highlights:

The Science Learning Center provides a venue for students and faculty to engage in both formal and informal conversations about topics ranging from the mechanics of a black hole to how to build and design a better chair.
Early training in the basics of scientific methods and inquiry is essential to success in advanced scientific study and translates into the kind of real world application that we are promoting at Hawken through research opportunities available through our STEMM program.
- This program provides an independent study option in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and/or Medicine, enabling students to learn side-by-side with experts in those fields, many of whom are nationally renowned.
- Projects are designed to develop meaningful learning experiences through sustained work with a project or laboratory linked to course work or science curriculum in general.
- Students have the opportunity to combine school-year and summer internships in University Circle with a seminar class in Scientific Research taught by a CWRU graduate student.
- Recent student research project topics through the STEMM program include: infectious disease, space travel, psychology of torture, biomechanics, physics of sailing, neural prosthesis, rational drug design, cardiac stem cells, flames in microgravity, human evolution, and HIV/AIDS.

Extracurricular Opportunities for science students:
Hawken students are recognized both regionally and nationally for their extra-curricular achievements in the sciences. Students can choose to be involved in:

T.E.A.M.S. (Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science)
Academic Challenge
Outdoor Leadership
Robotics
Tech Crew

Advanced Physics
Anatomy & Physiology
Anatomy & Physiology Honors
AP Biology
AP Physics 1
AP Physics C - Mechanics
AP Physics C Topics
Astrobiology
Astronomy: The Visible Universe
Biomedical Illustration
Build It Yourself Engineering
Build It Yourself Engineering
Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry 1
Chemistry 2 - Cosmetics
Chemistry 2 - Forensics
Chemistry 2 - Medical Applications
Chemistry Honors
Energy
Engineering and Prototyping Design Lab 1
Engineering and Prototyping Design Lab 2
Engineering in Society
Environmental Science
Environmental Science Honors
Environmental Studies Honors
Field Biology and Experimental Design
Forensic Files
Giant Steps: How Big Ideas in Science Led to Bigger Changes in Society and Civilizatiom
Hawken MD: Diagnosis and Disease
Honors Modern and Computational Physics
Honors Modern Physics
Human Anatomy & Physiology
Humanitarian Engineering
I Feel, Therefore I Am
Innovation Studio
Innovation Studio: Engineering Focus
Marine Science
Marine Science
Neuroscience
Outsiders
Physics
Physics 9
Physics 9 - Structural Systems in Architecture
Physics 9 Intensive
Physics and Amusement Parks
Physics and Medicine
Physics and Perception
Physics and the Arts
Physics in Film
Physics in the Movies
Physics of the Industrial Revolution
Principles of Engineering
Prototyping and Design Lab 1
Psychology
Psychology Honors

This year-long advanced course (with preference given to seniors) focuses on critical thinking and the understanding and application of psychological principles. This is a survey course that will include the history of psychology, neuroscience, developmental trends, intelligence, motivation, abnormal psychology and social psychology. Through active class discussion, hands-on activities and film-excerpts, students will be exposed to the science of psychology. Although this is a survey course, students must be prepared for deep analysis and assessment of complex concepts. There will be required summer readings and a response paper to those readings.
Rocket Science
Roller Coaster Physics: Amazing Amusement Park Attractions!
Science in the Kitchen
Science Studio
Scientific Research 1
Scientific Research 2
Solid State Physics
Space Camp
Systems and Sustainability
Walt Disney Imagineering
With Every Bite
Zoology
Biology

Biology is typically the first course taken in the Science Department at Hawken. The course is designed to expose students to the process of scientific inquiry as well as essential content. We strive to give our students insight into the principles of both micro and environmental biology. A variety of experiences and pedagogies in the classroom and laboratory provide a framework which allows our students to extend and express their comprehension of the natural world.
Chemistry

In this course, students learn the principles and concepts from which chemical phenomena can be predicted and explained. Major topics covered are the mole concept, gas laws, kinetic-molecular theory, structure of the atom, bonding, composition of matter, rates of reactions, energy in chemical reactions, equilibrium, oxidation and reduction, acid-base theory and solution chemistry. The course also develops students’ thinking and problem-solving skills through laboratory investigations and other exercises.
Chemistry Honors

This course provides a fast-paced, in-depth, and integrated study of introductory topics. To the extent possible, course content, examples and laboratories will focus on the chemistry of solids (metals, ceramics, and polymers) to illustrate or reinforce chemical principles, because of the many practical and appealing aspects of these materials. Students are challenged to reason about chemical phenomena from both conceptual and quantitative perspectives. As their fund of chemical knowledge grows through the year, students gain an increasing ability to deal with chemistry problems that draw on multiple areas of chemistry. The laboratory component of the course provides students the opportunity to experience chemical phenomena first-hand, apply their problem-solving skills, and extend their knowledge.
Physics

Prerequisite: Biology

Co-requisite: Algebra 2

This course enables students to obtain a better understanding of the world by learning the laws of physics and how those laws explain natural phenomena. The course also develops students’ thinking and problem-solving skills. The major topics of physics are covered, including motion, energy, electricity and magnetism, light, sound, and nuclear physics.
AP Physics B

Prerequisite: Biology and Algebra 2 (may be taken concurrently with department chair permission).

This course is a first-year physics course. AP Physics B is equivalent to the algebra-based college physics course required of students in biology, pre-medicine, architecture, technology and some other fields. The course is excellent preparation for, but not equivalent to, the calculus based, university physics course required for engineering, physics or chemistry majors. The entire AP Physics B syllabus is covered (motion, energy, thermodynamics, fluids, electricity and magnetism, light, sound, nuclear physics, and quantum mechanics). We also briefly cover special and general relativity.
AP Biology

Prerequisite: Biology and Chemistry Honors (or a high grade in regular Chemistry)

Co-requisite: Physics

This course is a second-year biology course. AP Biology is an introductory college course which follows the AP syllabus of the College Board. Chemistry is central to the course, especially in reference to such biochemical topics as enzymes, biomolecules, photosynthesis, respiration and molecular genetics. Other topics covered include evolution, Mendelian genetics, anatomy and physiology of plants and animals, and ecology.
AP Chemistry

Prerequisite: Biology and Chemistry Honors (or a high grade in regular Chemistry)

Co-requisite: Physics

AP Chemistry is a second-year chemistry course. It is the equivalent of an introductory college course and follows the AP syllabus guidelines of the College Board. Topics that are well-covered in first year chemistry (such as electron configurations, gas laws, and stoichiometry) are revisited briefly, but the main emphasis is on depth in the more difficult introductory areas (such as bonding, equilibrium, kinetics, acid base, redox and electrochemistry, and thermodynamics). The laboratory component of AP Chemistry challenges students to become more independent and sophisticated in planning and modifying experiments so that they accomplish their purpose, with awareness of their limitations.
AP Physics C

Prerequisite: AP Physics B or completion of regular Physics with a grade of B+ or above

Co-requisite: Chemistry and AP Calculus BC

This course is a second-year physics course. AP Physics C includes theoretical and experimental work in mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and modern physics. Work in the class expands on the material of the first-year physics course and extends into several other areas. This course is highly coordinated with BC Calculus as the ideas of Calculus are applied to analyze physical phenomena. A practice AP exam is required before students go on senior project.
Principles of Engineering and Design

In this course, students will practice principles of design, problem solving, teamwork and communication that are common to all engineers. Using case studies and projects, students will conduct research, brainstorm, design, and create prototypes and model
Scientific Research 3

Prerequisite: Scientific Research 2

Students are trained in writing a scientific paper and making a scientific oral presentation. Students then write a paper based upon their summer research project that has the format of a publishable journal article and make an oral presentation to the class and to interested members of the Hawken community. Students in the second year of the course will also work with students in the first year of the course. This course is intended to take only half as much time as a regular course during the fall semester. Half credit.

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Upper School Admission Spring Open House

Upper School Science