This year, a new science class is available to freshmen, Earth Science. Mr. Jacob Morgan and Mrs. Krista Cunningham are both teaching this class, covering topics about our planet, the atmosphere, astronomy, meteorology, ecosystems, geology, and more.
Previously, all freshmen took biology, with both generals and honors classes offered. This year, most freshmen are taking earth science except for a handful of honors students who are in the still offered biology. To take biology freshmen year, a student must have already completed an Algebra I credit prior to the start of their freshmen year. The students currently in Earth Science will be taking biology next year.
Earth and science. (Sahara Small)
According to Cunningham, “Earth Science was added to the course to round out our NGSS standards.” NGSS stands for Next Generation Science Standards. BCCHS uses these standards in developing the curriculum, because they help students understand important science concepts. They also help students gain critical thinking skills as well as problem solving skills. “So, there are three dimensions to the standards; biology being one, physical science which is physics and chemistry, but we were really missing an entire component of those standards and earth science will help fill that gap,” said Cunningham.
When asked for tips to be successful in this class, Morgan pointed to a poster that reads, “Show up, do your work and don’t screw around.”
Cunningham is excited to teach climate science, as she is working to earn a graduate teaching certificate in that field. She is also interested in looking at the dynamics between the environment, ecosystems, and humans—subjects that will appear in the course. Morgan is eager to teach the geology unit, “because we are going to talk about dinosaurs and dinosaurs are pretty cool.”
With the help of this new Earth Science class, freshmen will expand their understanding in all aspects of science throughout their high school careers and beyond.
