Science

  • Our mission: 

    The mission of the Science Department at Crosswinds Accelerated High School is to provide a safe and positive learning environment where students can foster curiosity and learn skills that enable them to think critically, inquire, investigate, analyze, and understand the components of the natural world through rigorous academic and experiential activities aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills.

    To accomplish this mission, teachers will:

    • provide a safe learning environment;
    • strive to provide students with clear learning objectives that include college and career readiness content, inquiry, experiential, and project-based activities;
    • connect curriculum to the “real world” and integrate 21st century skills;
    • provide opportunities for students to be leaders (e.g. peer-tutoring, helping others, participating in the Green and Clean student group etc.)

    Courses we offer: 

    Biology 

    In Biology, students conduct field and laboratory investigations, use scientific methods during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical-thinking and scientific problem-solving. Students in Biology study a variety of topics that include structures and functions of cells and viruses; growth and development of organisms; cells, tissues, and organs; nucleic acids and genetics; biological evolution; taxonomy; metabolism and energy transfers in living organisms; living systems; homeostasis; ecosystems; and plants and the environment.

    Biology A Syllabi 

    https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xxZgDLMxrYRrjnjsqI9uvromu8S8Xi5P

    Biology A Syllabi (Short)

    https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xxZgDLMxrYRrjnjsqI9uvromu8S8Xi5P

    Biology B Syllabi

    https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xxZgDLMxrYRrjnjsqI9uvromu8S8Xi5P

    Biology B Syllabi (Short) 

    https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xxZgDLMxrYRrjnjsqI9uvromu8S8Xi5P

     

    Integrated Physics & Chemistry

    Learning about matter, energy, and technology and their involvement with all forms of life has become increasingly important for living in today’s complex world. Through laboratory and classroom experiences, students will integrate introductory concepts in chemistry and physics to life and earth sciences. Enrichment and application will be emphasized through use of experiments, research, critical thinking, problem-solving and multicultural connections. It will also integrate the disciplines of physics and chemistry in the following topics: motion, waves, transformations, properties of matter, changes in matter and solution chemistry. 

    Chemistry

    In Chemistry, students conduct field and laboratory investigations, use scientific methods during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem-solving. Students study a variety of topics that include characteristics of matter; energy transformations during physical and chemical changes; atomic structure; periodic table of elements; behavior of gases; bonding; nuclear fusion and nuclear fission; oxidation-reduction reactions; chemical equations; solutes; properties of solutions; acids and bases; and chemical reactions. Students will investigate how chemistry is an integral part of our daily lives.

    Physics

    In this course, students conduct field and laboratory investigations, use scientific methods during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem-solving. Students study a variety of topics that include laws of motion; changes within physical systems and conservation of energy and momentum; force; thermodynamics; characteristics and behavior of waves; and quantum physics

    Aquatic Science

    Students study the interactions of biotic and abiotic components in aquatic environments, including impacts on aquatic systems. Investigations and fieldwork in this course may emphasize fresh-water or marine aspects of aquatic science depending primarily upon the natural resources available for study near the school. Students who successfully complete Aquatic Science will acquire knowledge about a variety of aquatic systems, conduct investigations and observations of aquatic environments, work collaboratively with peers, and develop critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. 

    Aquatic Science A/B Syllabi

    https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xxZgDLMxrYRrjnjsqI9uvromu8S8Xi5P

    Astronomy

    Students conduct laboratory and field investigations, use scientific methods, and make informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem solving. Students study the following topics: astronomy in civilization; patterns and objects in the sky; our place in space; the moon; reasons for the seasons; planets; the sun; stars; galaxies; cosmology; and space exploration. Students who successfully complete Astronomy will acquire knowledge within a conceptual framework, conduct observations of the sky, work collaboratively, and develop critical-thinking skills. 

    Astronomy A Syllabi

    https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xxZgDLMxrYRrjnjsqI9uvromu8S8Xi5P

    Astronomy B Syllabi

    https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xxZgDLMxrYRrjnjsqI9uvromu8S8Xi5P

     

    Earth and Space Science 

    Earth and Space Science is a capstone course designed to build on students' prior scientific and academic knowledge and skills to develop an understanding of Earth's system in space and time. 

    Environmental Systems

    Students conduct laboratory and field investigations, use scientific methods during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem-solving. Students study a variety of topics that include: biotic and abiotic factors in habitats, ecosystems, and biomes, interrelationships among resources and an environmental system, sources and flow of energy through an environmental system, the relationship between carrying capacity and changes in populations and ecosystems, and changes in environments. 

    Enviornmental Systems A/B

    https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xxZgDLMxrYRrjnjsqI9uvromu8S8Xi5P

     

    Anatomy and Physiology

    Students conduct laboratory and field investigations, use scientific methods during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem-solving. Students in Anatomy and Physiology study a variety of topics, including the structure and function of the human body and the interaction of body systems for maintaining homeostasis. 

    A&P A Syllabi

    https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xxZgDLMxrYRrjnjsqI9uvromu8S8Xi5P

    A&P B Syllabi

    https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xxZgDLMxrYRrjnjsqI9uvromu8S8Xi5P

     

    Forensic Science 

    Forensic Science is a course that uses a structured and scientific approach to the investigation of crimes of assault, abuse and neglect, domestic violence, accidental death, homicide, and the psychology of criminal behavior. Students will learn terminology and investigative procedures related to a crime scene, questioning, interviewing, criminal behavior characteristics, truth detection, and scientific procedures used to solve crimes. Using scientific methods, students will collect and analyze evidence through case studies and simulated crime scenes such as fingerprint analysis, ballistics, and blood spatter analysis. Students will learn the history, legal aspects, and career options for forensic science. 

    Forensic Science Syllabi

    https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xxZgDLMxrYRrjnjsqI9uvromu8S8Xi5P