Science Department

Essential Knowledge and Skills

This chemistry course is designed to give all students a foundation in the basic principles of chemistry and the direct application of the scientific method. Critical concepts relating to the microscopic structure of matter will be explored. This course will serve as a stepping-stone to future biology and physics classes. A laboratory component of the course will serve to give students a hands-on learning experience with real problems in chemistry.

Indicators of Student Learning

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

Using the Scientific Method

• Develop analytical and critical thinking skills by using the scientific method.

• Develop safe and practical laboratory techniques.

• Develop techniques appropriate for the use and disposal of chemicals.

• Collect and record data, organize their observations as to be readable to others within the science community, and infer a conclusion based upon their own data collected.

• Deduce scientific principles from the results of their own experimentation, rather than from just reading it from a text.

Communication

• Effectively communicate their observations and data gathered in a laboratory setting.

• Draw conclusions from their own laboratory experiments as well as from data gathered by another person.

• Clearly explain their thought processes used in arriving at said conclusions.

Problem Solving

• Be able to identify the problem at hand and determine what information is known and what information is needed.

• Be able to look to the correct resources for the needed information.

• Carryout the needed mathematical operations in order to evaluate solutions.

• Be able to determine the reasonableness of their solutions.

Technology

• Become familiar with the tools and basic laboratory equipment used in chemistry experiments.

• Be able to identify and set up the needed apparatus for an experiment, as well as manipulate it to collect the necessary data.

Assessment

For successful completion of this course, students will:

• Demonstrate the strength of the scientific method through careful observation, safe laboratory protocol, and critical evaluation of the data obtained.

• Demonstrate competency in problem solving by identifying the needed resources as well as evaluating the reasonableness of their results.

• Demonstrate a clear and effective method for reporting, collecting, and analyzing data.

• Demonstrate a competency in identifying and manipulating the tools or apparatuses needed to carryout a specific experiment.