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Physics Prescriptive

Physics offers a curriculum that emphasizes students’ understanding of fundamental physics concepts while helping them acquire tools to be conversant in a society highly influenced by science and technology.

The course provides students with opportunities to learn and practice critical scientific skills within the context of relevant scientific questions.  Topics include the nature of science, math for physics, energy, kinematics, force and motion, momentum, gravitation, chemistry for physics, thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, waves, nuclear physics, quantum physics, and cosmology.

Scientific inquiry skills are embedded in the direct instruction, wherein students learn to ask scientific questions, form and test hypotheses, and use logic and evidence to draw conclusions about the concepts.  Lab activities reinforce critical thinking, writing, and communication skills and help students develop a deeper understanding of the nature of science.

Throughout this course, students are given an opportunity to understand how physics concepts are applied in technology and engineering.  Journal and Practice activities provide additional opportunities for students to apply learned concepts and practice their writing skills.

This course is built to state standards and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Project 2061 benchmarks and the National Science Education Standards.

2 semesters, 1 credit

Physical Science Prescriptive

Physical Science offers a focused curriculum designed around the understanding of critical physical science concepts, including the nature and structure of matter, the characteristics of energy, and the mastery of critical scientific skills.

Course topics include an introduction to kinematics, including gravity and two-dimensional motion; force; momentum; waves; electricity; atoms; the periodic table of elements; molecular bonding; chemical reactivity; gases; and an introduction to nuclear energy. Teacher-scored labs encourage students to apply the scientific method.

This course is built to state standards.

2 semesters, 1 credit

The Living Earth

The Living Earth integrates biology with Earth and space science. Throughout the course, students apply fundamental biological concepts to better understand how living systems and Earth’s systems are interrelated and interdependent.

Course topics include structure and function of living organisms, heredity, genetic variation, natural selection, evolution, the biosphere, types of ecosystems and biomes, the ecology of populations and communities, the effects of change on the biosphere and its parts, the relationship of humans with the environment, and explorations of challenges humans face and sustainable solutions for the future health of Earth and its inhabitants.

Students discover new concepts through guided instruction and confirm their understanding in an interactive, feedback-rich environment. Scientific inquiry skills are embedded in the direct instruction, wherein students learn to ask scientific questions, form and test hypotheses, and use logic and evidence to draw conclusions about the concepts.

A variety of activities encourage students to think scientifically. Lab and Project activities reinforce critical thinking, writing, and communication skills and help students develop a deeper understanding of the nature of science and engineering. Virtual Lab activities enable students to engage in investigations that require long periods of observation at remote locations and to explore simulations that allow scientists to test predictions. In Discussions, students compare their lab or project results and exchange ideas about their investigations. Journal, Checkup, and Practice activities provide additional opportunities for students to practice their writing and scientific reasoning skills and apply learned concepts.

This course is built to Next Generation Science Standards. Throughout the course, students are evaluated via a variety of assessments designed to prepare them for the content, form, and depth of state exams.

Environmental Science Prescriptive

Environmental Science explores the biological, physical, and sociological principles related to the environment in which organisms live on Earth, the biosphere. Course topics include natural systems on Earth, biogeochemical cycles, the nature of matter and energy, the flow of matter and energy through living systems, populations, communities, ecosystems, ecological pyramids, renewable and non-renewable natural resources, land use, biodiversity, pollution, conservation, sustainability, and human impacts on the environment.

The course provides students with opportunities to learn and practice scientific skills within the context of relevant scientific questions. Scientific inquiry skills are embedded in the direct instruction, wherein students learn to ask scientific questions, deconstruct claims, form and test hypotheses, and use logic and evidence to draw conclusions about the concepts. Case studies of current environmental challenges introduce each content lesson and acquaint students with real-life environmental issues, debates, and solutions. Lab activities reinforce critical thinking, writing, and communication skills and help students develop a deeper understanding of the nature of science. Virtual Lab activities enable students to engage in investigations that require long periods of observation at remote locations and to explore simulations that enable environmental scientists to test predictions. Throughout this course, students are given an opportunity to understand how biology, earth science, and physical science are applied to the study of the environment and how technology and engineering are contributing solutions for studying and creating a sustainable biosphere.

This course is built to state standards.

2 semesters, 1 credit

Biology AP

AP Biology builds students’ understanding of biology on both the micro and macro scales. After studying cell biology, students move on to understand how evolution drives the diversity and unity of life. Students will examine how living systems store, retrieve, transmit, and respond to information and how organisms utilize free energy. The equivalent of an introductory college-level biology course, AP Biology prepares students for the AP exam and for further study in science, health sciences, or engineering.

The AP Biology course provides a learning experience focused on allowing students to develop their critical thinking skills and cognitive strategies. Frequent no- and low-stakes assessments allow students to measure their comprehension and improve their performance as they progress through each activity. Students regularly engage with primary sources, allowing them to practice the critical reading and analysis skills that they will need in order to pass the AP exam and succeed in a college biology course. Students perform hands-on labs that give them insight into the nature of science and help them understand biological concepts, as well as how evidence can be obtained to support those concepts. Students also complete several virtual lab studies in which they form hypotheses; collect, analyze, and manipulate data; and report their findings and conclusions. During both virtual and traditional lab investigations and research opportunities, students summarize their findings and analyze others’ findings in summaries, using statistical and mathematical calculations when appropriate. Summative tests are offered at the end of each unit as well as at the end of each semester, and contain objective and constructed response items. Robust scaffolding, rigorous instruction, relevant material and regular active learning opportunities ensure that students can achieve mastery of the skills necessary to excel on the AP exam.

This course has been authorized by the College Board® to use the AP designation.

Course Materials

Semesters 1 and 2: Required

AP Biology requires a college-level biology textbook. Students may use any college-level biology textbook to successfully complete the course. Resources are provided in the course to support students using either of the following texts:

  • Campbell Biology, 9th ed. Neil A. Campbell and Jane B. Reece et al. (Benjamin Cummings, 2011). ISBN-10: 0321558235 / ISBN-13: 9780321558237. -OR-
  • Principles of Life, 1st ed. David M. Hillis et al. (W. H. Freeman, 2011). ISBN-10: 1429276487 / ISBN-13: 9781429276481

AP Biology requires the completion of hands-on lab activities and has been approved by the College Board as meeting all requirements for a laboratory science course. For more information on the materials required for this course, refer to the Course Materials List at http://support.apexlearning.com. In the upper-right corner, under Quick Links, select Course Materials.

Science 7

Middle School Grade 7 Science delivers instruction, practice, and review to help students develop scientific literacy, deepen conceptual understanding, and apply scientific practices. Students explore concepts such as the structures and properties of matter; chemical reactions; the flow of energy through systems, including Earth’s living and nonliving systems; and the history of Earth.

The two-semester course is arranged in themed units, each with two to three lessons. In each unit, activities make complex ideas accessible to students as they discover the nature of science through focused content, interactive mini-investigations, multi-modal representations, and personalized feedback. Each lesson includes a variety of activities such as direct instruction, application of skills, performance tasks, and formative and summative assessments. Students engage with the subject matter in an interactive, feedback-rich environment as they progress through standards-aligned content and demonstrate their learning through computer- and teacher-scored assignments.

This course is built to state standards.

2 semesters

Physical Science Honors

Physical Science is a thorough course that provides students with an understanding of the nature and structure of matter, the characteristics of energy, and the societal implications of physical science concepts. Using the scientific method — observation, data collection, analysis, hypothesis, and conclusion — students are encouraged to extend their knowledge through the development of scientific explanations, hypotheses, and conclusions.

Course topics include an introduction to kinematics, including gravity and two-dimensional motion; force; momentum; waves; electricity; atoms; the periodic table of elements; molecular bonding; chemical reactivity; gases; and an introduction to nuclear energy.

This course is built to state standards and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA).

2 semesters, 1 credit

MS Life Science

Middle School Life Science delivers instruction, practice, and review to help students develop scientific literacy, deepen conceptual understanding, and apply scientific practices. Students explore concepts including the relationship between structure and function, the flow of energy and matter through living systems, heredity, and the diversity of life.

The two-semester course is arranged in themed units, each with two to three lessons. In each unit, activities make complex ideas accessible to students as they discover the nature of science through focused content, interactive mini-investigations, multi-modal representations, and personalized feedback. Each lesson includes a variety of activities such as direct instruction, application of skills, performance tasks, and formative and summative assessments. Students engage with the subject matter in an interactive, feedback-rich environment as they progress through standards-aligned content and demonstrate their learning through computer- and teacher-scored assignments.

This course is built to state standards.

2 semesters

MS Physical Science

Middle School Physical Science delivers instruction, practice, and review to help students develop scientific literacy, deepen conceptual understanding, and apply scientific practices. Students explore concepts including the interactions of matter; motion and stability; waves and their technological applications; and energy.

The two-semester course is arranged in themed units, each with two to three lessons. In each unit, activities make complex ideas accessible to students as they discover the nature of science through focused content, interactive mini-investigations, multi-modal representations, and personalized feedback. Each lesson includes a variety of activities such as direct instruction, application of skills, performance tasks, and formative and summative assessments. Students engage with the subject matter in an interactive, feedback-rich environment as they progress through standards-aligned content and demonstrate their learning through computer- and teacher-scored assignments.

This course is built to state standards.

2 semesters

Chemistry in the Earth System

Chemistry in the Earth System integrates chemistry with biology and Earth science. Throughout the course, students apply fundamental chemistry concepts to better understand how matter and energy interact in the natural and designed world, how human activities impact Earth’s systems, and how science can be used to develop new technologies and engineering solutions.

Course topics include the nature of matter, forces and energy, atomic structure, bonding in matter, chemical reactions, equilibrium and kinetics, thermodynamics, matter and energy in Earth’s physical and living systems, energy and resource consumption, and environmental challenges.

Students discover new concepts through guided instruction and confirm their understanding in an interactive, feedback-rich environment. Scientific inquiry skills are embedded in the direct instruction, wherein students learn to ask scientific questions, form and test hypotheses, and use logic and evidence to draw conclusions about the concepts.

A variety of activities encourage students to think scientifically. Lab and Project activities reinforce critical thinking, writing, and communication skills and help students develop a deeper understanding of the nature of science and engineering. Virtual Lab activities enable students to engage in investigations that require long periods of observation at remote locations and to explore simulations that allow scientists to test predictions. In Discussions, students compare their lab or project results and exchange ideas about their investigations. Journal, Checkup, and Practice activities provide additional opportunities for students to apply learned concepts and practice their writing and scientific reasoning skills.

This course is built to Next Generation Science Standards. Throughout the course, students are evaluated via a variety of assessments designed to prepare them for the content, form, and depth of state exams.