This lab course is an introduction to the physical world. All incoming ninth grade students will be exposed to a year’s worth of physics. The first semester is broken down into units covering kinematics in one dimension, Newton’s Laws of Motion, Equilibrium, Conservation Laws, Circular Motion, Machines, and Work and Energy. The second semester will encompass discussions involving Electricity, Magnetism, Waves and Sound, Light and Color, and Matter and Energy. With each unit, the students will be expected to use logical thinking, algebra skills, and work independently as well as collaboratively in both lecture and lab settings.

This junior/senior elective is a full-year course with no lab component. Topics covered will include fundamental engineering principles such as design process, material properties, load testing, static equilibrium, basic circuitry, and computer modeling. Students will practice hands-on engineering skills such as 3D printing, spreadsheet programming, data analysis, report writing, and professional-style presentations, all performed in a project-based team setting. Students will gain insight into STEM career opportunities via professional guest speakers and field trips. Class design projects will be geared toward competition in local STEM engineering contests. This course will inspire students to hone their skills in math and science through application to real-world design situations that will challenge their creativity while feeding their curiosity.

This course is designed for ninth grade students with a special interest in science. Through the use of educational robots, students will learn basic principles of robotics, programming and engineering, as well as reinforcing other math and science concepts. The course seeks to develop problem-solving skills by overcoming challenges through group cooperation, brainstorming, and project management. The emphasis of the course will be to develop a strong foundation of coding in Python.

AP Biology is the final part of a college-level laboratory course that uses the sanctioned AP curriculum and stresses four Big Ideas:

1. Evolution drives the diversity of life.
2. Biological systems utilize energy and molecular building blocks to grow, reproduce, and maintain homeostasis.
3. Living systems store, retrieve, and transmit information.
4. Biological systems interact in complex ways.

The course has an emphasis on topics covered in Honors Biology and on the process of evolution in creating the diversity of life on Earth and the relationships between its forms, which is highlighted in an intensive study of animal physiology. AP Biology constitutes the second in a two-part series beginning with Honors Biology. Prerequisites: Honors Biology, Chemistry, Physics. May be taken concurrently with AP Chemistry or AP Physics.

A second-year chemistry course designed to build upon the successes and knowledge acquisition of first-year chemistry. Specifically, AP Chemistry is designed to analyze chemistry using a mathematical perspective and is equivalent of a first-year college general chemistry course. As such, the course is suitable only for Upper School students who exhibit high levels of commitment, motivation, and academic maturity. Additionally, Gilman’s AP Chemistry course will be a standards-based blended learning environment. Students must demonstrate a standard of mastery learning on all assessments and labs prior to moving onto the next objectives. As such, students will have multiple opportunities to revise and resubmit work to achieve the set standards. Finally, this course is entirely accessible online, allowing students to determine their own pacing and knowledge acquisition in consultation with their teacher, culminating with sitting for the AP Examination in early May and a two-week, end-of-year project for the final exam.

Offered at The Bryn Mawr School, this course is designed to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and man-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/ or preventing them. Field and laboratory studies, experimental design, and data analysis are essential components of the course. Students are expected to learn some material independently. Basic algebraic calculations, dimensional analysis, and scientific notation skills to help solve problems will be required. The summer reading required for this course will be announced prior to the end of the current school year. All students must take the Advanced Placement Environmental Science exam in the spring. Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry. AP Biology, Ecology, or Ecology of the Chesapeake Bay may not be taken concurrently.

Offered at Roland Park Country School. The goal of sustainable design is to produce products, processes, and services in a way that reduces use of non-renewable resources, minimizes environmental impact, and connects people with the natural environment. Engineering is the interface between science, technology, and the economy. Economic considerations have always been an integral part of engineering design, and sustainable design incorporates environmental considerations into the equation. In this course, students will learn about sustainable design concepts, such as Life Cycle Assessment — a technique to assess the environmental aspects and potential impacts associated with a product, process, or service by compiling an inventory of energy and material inputs and environmental releases. Projects may include designing model solar cars, wind turbines, and/or other alternative energy devices. Students will also focus on ways to make the RPCS campus a learning tool for the entire community.