(Prerequisite: at least 6th grade AND 11+ years old at beginning of school year) Science Detectives is designed as a middle school introduction to formal science work. The first part of the year will be devoted to basic science skills and techniques, such as scientific inquiry, scientific measurement, math and graphing used in science, data collection and analysis, and technology. With a solid background in the art of scientific inquiry, students will then explore how science is used to solve crimes through Forensic Science at the middle school level. Forensics topics such as evidence recovery, tracks, impressions, fingerprints, blood, DNA, bones, arson, ballistics, toxicology, soil, pollen, glass, hair, and fibers will be investigated. This course is recommended for 6th-7th grade middle school students. Tuition includes a take-home lab materials kit.

(Prerequisite: at least 7th grade AND 12+ years old at beginning of school year) Honors Earth & Space Science is a middle school science course that provides an overview of the main fields of geology, plus an introduction to astronomy. Topics covered will include: rocks and minerals, weathering, erosion, and soil, plate tectonics, volcanoes and earthquakes, Earth’s history, ground and surface water, weather, oceans, and a look at how Earth fits into the universe. The course will be extremely “hands-on” with a heavy emphasis on developing the science lab and process skills needed for success in high school level science courses. This course is recommended for 7th – 8th grade middle school students. Tuition includes a take-home lab materials kit.

(Prerequisite: at least 8th grade AND 13+ years old at beginning of school year) Honors Biology covers the typical topics of cells, genetics, microbiology, plants, animals, human anatomy & physiology, and the environment. As an Honors level course, the studies will go a little more in-depth into biochemistry, microbiology, and genetics to give students a strong foundation in Biology and the background needed to be successful in advanced high school sciences and at the college level. The class is “hands-on” with a strong lab component, including microbiology culturing and some dissections. This course is recommended for 9th grade high school students. Tuition includes a take-home lab materials kit.

(Prerequisites: at least 9th grade AND 14+ years old at beginning of school year; successful completion of high school level Algebra I) Honors Chemistry takes an in-depth look at matter at the molecular level. Students should expect to go well beyond the “physical science” level of Chemistry and a strong Algebra I background is required to be successful in the class. Although safety is always a priority in lab, students will engage in high school level laboratory work. Safety goggles/glasses are required as the hands-on portion of the class will involve more than “kitchen chemistry.” This course is recommended for 10th grade high school students. Tuition includes a take-home lab materials kit.

(Prerequisites: at least 10th grade AND 15+ years old at beginning of school year; successful completion of high school level Algebra I; high school Geometry not required but highly suggested) Honors Physics explains the laws that govern our physical surroundings. The course is Algebra-based and there will be a heavy math component. Through this course, students will become comfortable using Physics formulas and will also develop a deep understanding of the “how” and “why” these formulas work. The textbook used for the class is conceptual as students will be required to cover the “concepts” for homework outside of class. The math component of the course will be added during class time. The course is “hands-on” with a strong lab component. This course is recommended for 11th grade high school students. Prerequisite: Algebra I required, Geometry highly recommended. Tuition includes a take-home lab materials kit.

(Prerequisites: at least 10th grade AND 15+ years old at beginning of school year; successful completion of high school level Biology and Chemistry) AP Environmental Science is designed to prepare students to take the AP Exam for college credit. A complete description of the course and the test can be found here. As with any AP course, students will be expected to devote a considerable amount of time outside of class studying the material. This will be especially important since we will only be meeting once a week. Our online class time will be spent engaged in hands-on experiments and going over the material students found difficult in their home studies. Note: some universities require proof of laboratory work before they will award lab credit for AP examinations. AP Environmental students will build a formal lab notebook to serve as documentation of their lab experiences. Students will spend time outside of class doing pre-lab work and formal lab write-ups. This course is recommended as a fourth year advanced science credit. Tuition includes a take-home lab materials kit. All study materials will be provided.