Kennedy Catholic Science
"There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed by the Creator into a few forms or into one; and that, whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been and are being evolved. ”
— Charles Darwin
Department Overview
Albert Einstein once described science as “the attempt of the human mind to find connections between the world of ideas and the world of phenomena.” The Science Department strives to bring Einstein’s definition of science to life in the minds and work of its students. Courses in biology, chemistry and physics expose students to the crucial observations and theories that constitute our fundamental understanding of the natural world.
Laboratory work is integral to all courses. As we guide our students through experiments that introduce them to new phenomena, demonstrate key concepts and challenge them to solve problems, we seek to demystify scientific inquiry by stimulating curiosity and enabling students to satisfy this curiosity through discovery. Throughout our courses we strive to teach students how to think and act like scientists and to nurture in them an appreciation of the natural world and an inclination to use their abilities in science to solve problems and act responsibly in society.
Science Department Course Offerings
View the Course Booklet HERE
Grade 9 – Living Environment
Regents and Honors
Students are given an understanding of the living environment. The student will apply scientific concepts, principles and theories pertaining to the living environment and recognize the historical development of these ideas. Similarities and differences among living and nonliving things, inheritance of genetic information, changes in organisms and species over time, continuity of life, dynamic equilibrium in living organisms, dependence of plants and animals on each other, the effect of human decisions and activities on the physical and living environment are studied.
AP Biology for freshman
This course is offered to students who have previously taken the Living Environment Course and Regents. The AP course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory Biology course taken by Biology majors. Areas covered are cells, genetics, evolution, ecology, and plant and animal form and function. AP level approved labs will be a part of the curriculum, with appropriate lab reports. The student who does best in this course loves Biology and has a strong work ethic.
Grade 10 – Chemistry
Regents and Honors
Designed for the student who has an interest in modern Chemistry and the effect that it has on their life. Some of the topics covered are matter and energy, atomic structure, bonding, Periodic Table, mathematics of Chemistry, kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases, electrochemistry, and organic chemistry.
Grade 11 – Earth Science
Regents
Provides the student with an understanding and an appreciation of this planet. Some of the topics covered are: Earth dimensions, minerals and rocks, the dynamic crust, earthquakes, landscapes, glacial geology, the Earth’s history, meteorology, water cycle and climate and environmental awareness. The student should have a background in the skills of observation and interpretation and analysis of data.
Grade 11 – Physics
Regents and Advanced Placement
Regents Physics covers the concepts of motion, Newtonian mechanics, energy, light and sound waves, electricity and magnetism, and modern physics. Emphasis is on mathematical analysis and real world applications.
AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course that explores topics such as Newtonian mechanics (including rotational motion); work, energy, and power; impulse and momentum. Through inquiry-based learning, students will develop scientific critical thinking and reasoning skills. The class prepares students for intermediate and advanced college courses by making demands upon them equivalent to those made by introductory college courses. The Regents Physics curriculum is also incorporated in the course.
Grade 12 – Environmental Studies
This is a Senior elective course that includes the study of environmental science both locally and globally. Topics will include ecological principles, population dynamics, economics, law, philosophy, resource management and sustaining society.
Grade 12 – Applied Physics
This year long course will provide the student with an understanding of the major concepts of traditional physics, including measurements and mathematics, mechanics, energy, electricity and magnetism, waves and light, and the modern physics topics of quantitative mechanics, relativity, and nuclear physics. This is not a Regents course, so no lab work will be required. Instead, students will be assigned quarter projects.
AP – Environmental Science
Introductory college level course that includes the study of environmental science both locally and globally. Topics will include ecological principles, population dynamics, economics, law, philosophy, resource management and sustaining society. Classroom work will be supplemented with regular lab work, which will require write-ups.
AP – Biology
This is a college level course offered to students who have completed Regents Biology and Chemistry with an average of 90 or above. The AP course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory Biology course taken by Biology majors. Areas covered are cells, genetics, evolution, ecology, and plant and animal form and function. AP level approved labs will be a part of the curriculum, with appropriate lab reports. The student who does best in this course loves Biology and has a strong work ethic.
AP – Chemistry
Students who take the AP Chemistry course will develop advanced inquiry and reasoning skills, such as developing a plan for collecting data, analyzing data, applying mathematical routines, and connecting concepts in and across domains. The result will be readiness for the study of advanced topics in subsequent college courses. Laboratory science is a major component of the AP Chemistry course. The AP Chemistry course is the equivalent of a first-year general chemistry course in the first year of college.
AP – Computer Science
AP Computer Science Principles is an introductory course for any student interested in programming, computers, and technology. Previous experience in programming is not necessary; this course lays the groundwork for understanding the basic principles behind writing code in any language. Throughout the course, topics such as image and sound manipulation are discussed, as well as data mining, security, and ethical practices.
AP – 3D Modeling
This is a Senior level elective. The purpose of this course is to teach the principles of polygon modeling in Maya and Forger. Students will begin by learning both the Maya and Forger interfaces and user settings, as well as good work habits. Through projects students will create various models and sculptures that will utilize skills learned.
AP – Robotics
This is a Senior level elective course. The goal of this class is to learn how to program the NAO robot. Using Choreography, students will learn how to program the NAO robot through storyboarding and programming with python. Through various hands on projects students will work with NAO's various capabilities which include Voice recognition and speaking, moving and walking, tactile sensors, facial recognition and object recognition.
Department Leadership
Georgia Ioannou
Department Chairperson
Christine Nykwest
AP Biology and Chemistry Teacher
Samuel Reyes
Earth Science, Applied Physics, AP Environmental Science and Environmental Studies Teacher
Patrizia Venturini
AP and Regents Chemistry Teacher
Elizabeth Vlattas
Biology Teacher
