Science

 *available as an honors option

Physics
  • Takes full advantage of science’s experimental approach to acquiring knowledge as students study the motion of objects (mechanics) including measurement, one-dimensional motion, two-dimensional motion, Newton’s laws of motion, conservation of energy, and momentum, electromagnetism, waves, sound and light 
  • Utilizes the intensive format to move students through three one-week courses: Cosmology, Perception, and Machines.

Chemistry
  • Presents the principles and concepts from which chemical phenomena can be predicted and explained
  • Covers the mole concept, gas laws, kinetic-molecular theory, atomic structure, bonding, composition of matter, chemical reactions, oxidation and reduction, and solution chemistry among other topics.
 
Chemistry Honors
  • Provides a fast-paced, in-depth, and integrated study of introductory topics about chemical phenomena from conceptual and quantitative perspectives
  • Provides first-hand experience through laboratory work to expand knowledge and develop problem solving skills

Biology
  • Explores concepts in evolution including climates’ impact on living things, anatomy, and physiology including a series of dissections and a revisit of sex education, modern genetics including bioethical considerations, and ecology including a case study in Cleveland’s own community

AP Biology
  • Covers evolution, Mendelian genetics, anatomy and physiology of plants and animals, and ecology; requires strong grasp of chemistry, especially biochemical topics such as enzymes, biomolecules, photosynthesis, respiration and molecular genetics.
 
Honors Modern and Computational Physics
  • Covers the rules of the very small (quantum mechanics) and how those rules can connect to the real world (statistical mechanics)
  • Explores how someone’s space can be someone else’s time (special relativity – what!?) and how we can connect all of this to explain and understand how the Big Bang happened and learn how to predict what the Big Bang says should be true about our universe (cosmology, dark matter, dark energy)

AP Chemistry
  • Emphasizes the more difficult introductory areas including bonding, equilibrium, kinetics, acid base, and thermodynamics
  • Challenges students to become more independent and sophisticated in planning and modifying experiments so that they accomplish their purpose

Marine Science
  • Develops a strong foundation in oceanography and marine biology, allowing students to pursue individual interests
  • Introduces the marine environment through extensive reading assignments, lecture-based discussion, field trips; and laboratory explorations
  • Includes an Intensive trip to The Island School in the Bahamas

Environmental Science
  • Provides students scientific principles, concepts and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems, and to examine alternative solutions
  • Embraces more advanced topics in this interdisciplinary laboratory course

Prototyping Design Lab I
  • Explores student ideas, interests and inventions using tools and techniques found in a digital fabrication lab (FABLAB) as they discover a variety of engineering and design techniques through computer assisted design (CAD) software, digital programming and the use of fabrication equipment such as 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC milling, and electronics
 
AP Physics C 
  • Expands on the material of the first-year physics course and coordinates with BC Calculus   
  • Includes theoretical and experimental work in mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and modern physics
 
Psychology
  • Focuses on critical thinking and the understanding and application of psychological principles
  • Includes the history of psychology, neuroscience, developmental trends, intelligence, motivation, abnormal psychology, and social psychology

Intensives

Whodunit? Forensic Science: Crime Scene Investigation
  • Studies the many stages of investigating evidence to unfold the tale of a crime
  • Employs analytical and deductive reasoning skills, combined with the practical skills of forensic techniques to master the preservation of justice through scientific applications 

STEMM Pathways (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Medicine)
 
Scientific Research I (Fall)
  • Develops and enhances skills of scientific reading comprehension and critical thinking
 
Scientific Research II (Spring & Summer)
  • Challenges students to conduct research, work with a mentor, and review journal articles on a topic of their choice; requires the completion of a scientific research project with a mentor at NASA, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Clinic, VA Hospital, University Hospital or another research lab
 
Scientific Research III (Fall)
  • Develops student skills in scientific writing and oral presentation as they complete a work based on their summer project in the format of a published journal article
  • Enables students to mentor younger students in Science Research I

Abnormal Psychology (Global Online Academy)
  • Focuses on psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, substance abuse and depression

Bioethics (Global Online Academy)
  • Explores real-life ethical issues including vaccination policies, organ transplantation, genetic testing, human experimentation and animal research

Global Health (Global Online Academy)
  • Improves students’ health literacy through an examination of the most significant public-health challenges facing today’s global population

Medical Problem Solving 1 (Global Online Academy)
  • Enhances students’ critical thinking skills as they examine date, draw conclusions, diagnose and treat patients
  • Explores anatomy and physiology pertaining to medical scenarios and deepens understanding of the disease process, demographics of disease and pharmacology

Medical Problem Solving 2 (Global Online Academy)
  • Extends the problem-based learning done in Medical Problem Solving I
  • Offers the opportunity to design cases based on personal interests, discuss current topics in medicine, and apply learning to issues in students’ local communities

Neuropsychology (Global Online Academy)
  • Covers basic brain anatomy and function as well as cognitive and behavioral disorders from a neurobiological perspective

Positive Psychology (Global Online Academy)
  • Explores what positive psychology research tells us about the formula for a meaningful life, the ingredients of fulfilling relationship, and changes that occur in the brain when inspired by music, visual art, physical activity, and more

Social Psychology
  • Examines how the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of a person are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others
  • Develops foundational knowledge of social psychology by exploring a diversity of topics including attitudes and actions, group behavior, prejudice and discrimination, interpersonal relationship, conformity, attraction, and persuasion
 
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An independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school, toddler through grade 12

Early Childhood, Lower, and Middle Schools, 5000 Clubside Rd, Lyndhurst, OH 44124
Birchwood School of Hawken, 4400 West 140th Street, Cleveland, OH 44135 

Upper School, PO Box 8002 (12465 County Line Rd), Gates Mills, OH 44040
Mastery School of Hawken, 11025 Magnolia Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106

Gries Center, 10823 Magnolia Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106

Directions  |  Log in  |  440-423-4446