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Metea Valley

Science Department

Course Selection Process

Science Graduation Requirements

Timeline

Blended Classrooms

Course Pathways

Elective Options

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Science Graduation Requirements

Almost all major universities will require three years of science with a suggestion of four years of laboratory-based science courses while in high school for more competitive schools.

THREE Years of Science to Graduate
Recommend 4+ years to pursue STEM
District Course Listing

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Timeline & Process

Course Selection Process Timeline

Jan 15th StudentVue opens for students
Jan. 6th - 10th Teachers educate and guide students towards the best fit next science course and enter recommendations into Synergy.

Science Pathways Guide

Jan. 9th Elective Fair
Jan. 15th 8th Grade Open House

www.mvfuturemustangs.org

Jan 22nd StudentVue closes for students
Jan. 27th - Feb. 21st Counselors meet individually with students

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Course Selection Considerations:

Please take all factors into consideration when choosing your courses.

What are you interested in?
How much challenge do you want?
How will you embrace challenge but not get overwhelmed?
What athletic and extracurricular activities will you be involved in?
How well do you balance learning time and leisure/sleep time?

Metea Valley wants all students to be proud of the grades they earn in the courses they select, so we have many resources available to support students who are struggling to meet the challenges of the course requirements.

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Course Selection Considerations:

Please be aware that course changes are unlikely, so making the most appropriate choice now is the best pathway for a student’s long-term success.
Why is this the case? We are limited by open seats in the classrooms you may be wanting to go to. In addition, it can also be difficult to change courses mid year from a cumulative academic lens as well.
This is why we value the process of making the best informed decision possible so changes are not likely to be necessary.
Teachers will recommend for the highest level of a course that they feel is a good fit for you to be successful in. You will need to make decisions based on the broader schedule and think about capability vs. capacity.
Recommendations ar

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Capability

-vs-

Capacity

Make the selections that are right for you.

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CAPABILITY

What does it mean?

inherent ability, skill set, or aptitude a student possesses in a particular subject or field

CAPACITY

What does it mean?

ability to manage workload, stress, and time effectively to excel in multiple accelerated courses

Seek a balance between the subjects where capability aligns with interest and passion, and capacity allows for effective time management and workload handling.

Things to consider:

Accelerated courses can better prepare students for the academic rigor of college.
Taking on too much may lead to burnout, negatively impacting overall performance.
Increased workload may contribute to heightened stress levels.
Heavy academic commitments may limit participation in extracurricular activities.

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BLENDED LEARNING

Traditional	Blended
There is no difference in the WHAT. The curriculum is the same in both models. Blended classrooms will offer you more FLEXIBILITY in CHOICE with your TIME.
Student Engagement IN the classroom all week. On days when students have independent work time, all students will do this in the classroom with no choice.	Student Engagement IN the classroom all week except at a maximum one day a week. Flex days allow students to use a portion of the class time to work independently and on collaborative projects in other areas approved for blended learning. You will always have the option to stay in the classroom and receive individualized support from your teacher. Students must meet the minimum requirements to use blended time outside of the classroom. For example, if a student is missing work or has a low score in the class they would be required to stay in the room for additional support.

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Course Pathways

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Grade 9 to Grade 10 Core Course Options

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Grade 10 to Grade 11 Core Course Options

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AP and Elective Courses

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Core Course Descriptions

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Biology

Reading

Out-of-class Work

Math & Problem Solving

Less

More

Less

College Prep Biology

Student Centered Learning
You want to build skills for college and career
Pace allows for time in class to engage collaboratively with peers

Honors Biology

Student Centered Learning
Strong study habits & organizational skills necessary for success
Faster paced and more independent learning

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Chemistry

College Prep Chemistry

Student centered learning
Whiteboarding, class discussions, lab activities, group work
Algebra-based calculations
Prerequisites: Biology & Concurrent Geometry

Honors Chemistry

Some whiteboarding, frequent class discussions, multiple labs
Faster paced with more in-depth content
Algebra and pre-trigonometry calculations used
Prerequisites: Biology and Geometry

College Prep Blended

Same as non-blended, but also independent study time on some days

Reading

Out-of-class Work

Math & Problem Solving

Less

More

Less

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Physics

College Prep Physics

How and why things move
Algebra and Trig needed
Forces and Motion and Electricity

Honors Physics

How and why things move
Forces and Motion and Electricity
Very comfortable with algebra and trigonometry

College Prep Blended

How and why things move
Algebra and Trig needed
Forces and Motion and Electricity

Reading

Out-of-class Work

Less

More

Less

Math & Problem Solving

Less

More

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Physical

Science

Environmental Science

Learn about earthquakes, volcanoes, and climate change.
Minimal work outside of class, maximal lab work in class.

Earth and Space

Emphasis is on Astronomy (Relativity, Stellar Evolution, Cosmology…)
Discussion and Lab Based

Chem/Phys

Spend one semester on chemistry topics and one semester on physics
Explore fundamental concepts with hands on labs, basic calculations, and group discussions

Reading

Out-of-class Work

Math & Problem Solving

Less

More

Less

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AP/ Elective Course Descriptions

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Elective Slide #1

AP Biology

Prerequisites: Biology + Chemistry
Great option for future STEM majors
Very hands-on (labs & activities)
Equivalent to Intro Biology college course

Genetics

Prerequisites: Biology + Chemistry *can be taken concurrent
Lab intensive. Hands-on activities and model building
Skills sets for any lab-based STEM major

AP Environmental Science

Prerequisites: Biology + Chemistry
You might choose this course to supplement law degree
The future is all about green tech
The world needs informed citizens

Reading

Out-of-class Work

Math & Problem Solving

Less

More

Less

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Elective Slide #2

Botany

Senior Only Elective
Hands on & project based
Learning about nature
Growing in the greenhouse
Planning crop production

Human Anatomy

Prerequisites: Biology + Chemistry *can be taken concurrent
Hands on medical labs and dissection
Human organ systems and functions covered at a slower pace
Medical scenarios

Human Anatomy Dual Credit

Prerequisites: Biology + Chemistry *can be taken concurrent
Same as Non Dual with faster pace and College of Dupage approved assessments

Reading

Out-of-class Work

Math & Problem Solving

Less

More

Less

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Elective Slide #3

AP Chemistry

Prerequisites: Biology, Chemistry, Algebra 2/Trig & Stats
College-level Chemistry
Great Prep for Medical or Pharmaceutical Careers
Advanced Chemical Reaction instruction
Extended hour M-W-F (1.5 per’s)

Reading

Out-of-class Work

Math & Problem Solving

Less

More

Less

AP Physics

Prerequisites: Hon Physics & AP Calc (AB or BC) Concurrently
Calculus Based Physics
Group and discussion based
Motion, Forces, Electricity and Magnetism