Physical and Life Sciences

Science Department Goals: The Science Department of Archmere Academy strives to educate the whole student, to encourage and support each student through depth of curriculum, to develop their ability to create scientific arguments, to teach students to interpret information using a scientific lens, and to prepare students for the ever advancing technological society in which we live.

Our Curriculum is a Living Organism: The Archmere Academy Science Department believes that the study of science involves a thought process that is beneficial to all students regardless of their choice of college or major. The department sees its curriculum as a living organism that needs to continually grow and adapt in order to prepare our students for a technologically and scientifically demanding society. The department therefore strives to combine tried and traditional methods of education with new and innovative methods in an effort to provide its students, with not merely a good science education, but with the best science education available.

All students are required to take six semesters of science for graduation. Included in the six semesters are:

Two semesters each of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics

AP, Elective, and Activity Offerings: Advanced Placement courses are offered in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Environmental Science. A variety of electives are also offered including anatomy and physiology, marine biology, food chemistry, forensic science, and engineering. These allow students to explore the many varied applications of science and possible career opportunities in the scientific field. Outside of the curriculum, the department offers many extracurricular activities, including the TEAMS competition, the Science Olympiad, horticulture club, robotics, and the National Chemistry and Physics Olympiads.

An Exclusive Course for Future STEM Research: Archmere Academy enjoys an incredible connection with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and its Center for Data Driven Discovery in Biomedicine. Through this relationship, Archmere offers the Advanced Cancer Research and Analysis course which combines a biology class focusing on the genetics of cancer and a computer science class focusing on analyzing data sets as one would in a research setting. Students enrolled in this course have the exclusive opportunity to intern at CHOP in the following summer.

Biology

This course, an introduction to the study of all living things and the properties of life, is a general survey of the biological principles associated with a college-prep Biology course. Students will explore the characteristics of life through topics such as cell interactions and heredity that build an overall knowledge of systems and functions essential to our existence. In order to prepare students for further studies in high school and college courses, this course covers the standards associated with typical high school Biology courses in the region. Each topic is covered in less depth than at the Honors Biology level, but the same topics are covered.

Laboratory activities are an important component throughout the year and students are expected to participate in a variety of laboratory procedures that will require them to apply the principles they have learned. 9th graders are placed into Biology based on a placement exam.
Honors Biology

Honors Biology is a two semester course designed for 9th graders. The course is designed to survey all major topics in the study of living things including biochemistry, genetics, cell structure and function, evolution, animal and plant physiology, and ecology. In addition to the lecture component, the course includes weekly laboratory exercises meant to strengthen the students' understanding of the concepts presented in class that week. The course is intended to be a challenging, college preparatory level course.

Prerequisite: Placement in this course is dependent upon performance on the science placement test for incoming 9th graders.
Chemistry

Chemistry is a one-year course that is intended to introduce students to general inorganic chemistry concepts and lab techniques. The course covers general principles, problem-solving and laboratory experiences. Topics considered include: atomic theory, bonding, nomenclature, stoichiometry, gas laws, solutions and acids-base chemistry. Laboratory experiences are a combination of “hands-on” experiments, computer simulations and are scheduled to coincide with lecture topics Typical experiments include: types of reactions, solution preparation, acid-base titration, gas laws, and the use of Vernier probes for data collection and analysis. Classroom instruction includes a combination of lecture, group work and activities utilizing interactive platforms, such as ExploreLearning.

Prerequisite Course: CP or Honors Biology

Approval Standard: Teacher approval is required to enroll in this course and will be determined by 1) student performance on major assessments and active engagement in classroom activities, with emphasis on the second semester and 2) the consistent and independent work ethic necessary to succeed in an advanced-level course.
Honors Chemistry

This is a general chemistry course that stresses theory, problem-solving, and the reinforcement of topics via laboratory experiments. First semester topics include scientific measurement, atomic structure, chemical bonding, thermochemistry, and states of matter. In the second semester, topics include gas laws, kinetics, equilibrium, and acid--base chemistry. Instruction of topics includes lecture, activities, simulations, and problem solving. The laboratory experiments are general chemistry experiments and computer simulation labs, and are scheduled to coincide with the lecture material. The laboratory program stresses proper lab technique and safety, and students work in pairs to collect data. Many experiments include use of the Vernier probes and software to acquire data electronically.

Prerequisite Course: Honors Biology

Approval Standard: Teacher approval is required to enroll in this course and will be determined by 1) student performance on major assessments and active engagement in classroom activities, with emphasis on the second semester and 2) the consistent and independent work ethic necessary to succeed in an advanced-level course.
Physics

Physics covers Mechanics, including kinematics, forces, momentum, energy, and rotations and Vibrations & Waves. The course is well reinforced with lab experiments, both hands-on and computer simulation, that will help fortify the theoretical concepts. Students will use computers for direct measurements, calculations, graphing, and analysis via programs like LoggerPro, Vernier Graphical Analysis, and Google Sheets. As part of the curriculum, students will work on independent projects that fosters a deeper understanding of some of the physics principles learned and how this applies to everyday life.

Prerequisite Course: CP or Honors Chemistry

Approval Standard: Teacher approval is required to enroll in this course and will be determined by 1) student performance on major assessments and active engagement in classroom activities, with emphasis on the second semester and 2) the consistent and independent work ethic necessary to succeed in an advanced-level course.
Honors Physics

This course is a rigorous introduction to physics without the use of calculus. The topics in this course include Mechanics, Waves, Electricity, and Magnetism (time permitting). This course emphasizes both a conceptual understanding of physics and numerical problem solving. The course is designed to be equivalent to a university course in physics for a non-science major. Laboratory work is a significant portion of the class time and a significant component of the grade. Labs are designed to provide students with hands-on experience of the physical phenomena and illustrate practical applications of the topics.

Prerequisite Courses: Previous or concurrent enrollment in Honors Algebra II and Trigonometry; Honors Chemistry

Approval Standard: Teacher approval is required to enroll in this course and will be determined by 1) student performance on major assessments and active engagement in classroom activities, with emphasis on the second semester and 2) the consistent and independent work ethic necessary to succeed in an advanced-level course.
Honors Physics DE

Students who request Honors Physics and also want to earn one spring college credit through St. John's College in Queens, NY, for a $325 fee should request Honors Physics DE, course #533 See Dr. Wilcox, Mr. Creekmore, Mr. Boehm, or Mr. Dougherty for more details.

This course is a rigorous introduction to physics without the use of calculus. The topics in this course include Mechanics, Waves, Electricity, and Magnetism (time permitting). This cours emphasizes both a conceptual understanding of physics and numerical problem solving. The course is designed to be equivalent to a university course in physics for a non-science major. Laboratory work is a significant portion of the class time and a significant component of the grade. Labs are designed to provide students with hands-on experience of the physical phenomena and illustrate practical applications of the topics.

Prerequisite Courses: Previous or concurrent enrollment in Honors Algebra II and Trigonometry; Honors Chemistry

Approval Standard: Teacher approval is required to enroll in this course and will be determined by 1) student performance on major assessments and active engagement in classroom activities, with emphasis on the second semester and 2) the consistent and independent work ethic necessary to succeed in an advanced-level course..
AP Biology

AP Biology is a rigorous two semester biology course equivalent to the two semesters of biology for biology majors at a university or college. The course covers a breadth of topics ranging across all realms of biology. The core curriculum of the course centers on enhancing knowledge from 9th grade biology to apply understanding and analysis based on the guidelines supplied by the College Board. It includes an extensive laboratory program and requires scientific writing and research, including writing formal lab reports and using technology such as PCR and gel electrophoresis to investigate ideas. All content is finished by the middle of April so that review time is allotted for the AP exam. All students are required to take the College Board AP exam in biology in May.

Prerequisite Course: Honors Biology

Approval Standard: Teacher approval is required to enroll in this course and will be determined by 1) student performance on major assessments and active engagement in classroom activities, with emphasis on the second semester and 2) the consistent and independent work ethic necessary to succeed in an advanced-level course.
AP Chemistry

This is a lecture-based course that includes activities, simulations, and problem solving. The content follows the AP curriculum. The laboratory experiments are a mix of both traditional general chemistry experiments and computer simulation labs. The experiments are scheduled to coincide with the lecture material. The laboratory program stresses proper lab technique and safety, and students work in pairs to collect data. Many experiments include use of the Vernier probes and software to acquire and analyze data. Students maintain a lab notebook and submit written reports for each lab; the reports include a pre-lab, procedure, data tables, calculated results, sources of error, and conclusions. In addition to labs on the double blocks of E or F day, students are scheduled for an extended block during work period one day a cycle.

Prerequisite Course: Honors or AP science

Approval Standard: Teacher approval is required to enroll in this course and will be determined by 1) student performance on major assessments and active engagement in classroom activities, with emphasis on the second semester and 2) the consistent and independent work ethic necessary to succeed in an advanced-level course.
AP Physics C: Mechanics

AP Physics C: Mechanics is a calculus-based physics course covering mechanics topics such as: kinematics, forces, momentum, energy, rotations, and oscillations. The course follows the College Board recommendations for AP Physics and is intended to be the equivalent of a first semester university-level Physics. The course includes a hands-on lab component that occurs once every cycle. Familiarity with basic integration and differentiation, algebraic problem-solving, and trigonometry are vital to success in this class. Inquiry, critical thinking, lab explorations, and clear explanations in oral and written work will be emphasized.

Prerequisite Courses: Honors Physics or AP Chemistry; and AP Calculus AB

Approval Standard: Teacher approval is required to enroll in this course and will be determined by 1) student performance on major assessments and active engagement in classroom activities, with emphasis on the second semester and 2) the consistent and independent work ethic necessary to succeed in an advanced-level course.
AP Environmental Science

AP Environmental Science is a two-semester course studying the biological, chemical and physical factors of our natural environment and how we can live in and create a more sustainable world. Topics included are nonrenewable and renewable energy types, waste reduction and management, pollution concerns, systems ecology, water and land use, government policy, environmental justice and more. Instruction will be a mixture of lecture, lab activities, small projects and presentations, class discussions and in-class activities. Students taking the class have completed or are completing a sequence involving a full year each of biology, chemistry and physics. At the end of the course, students are required to take the AP Environmental Science exam.

Prerequisite Course: CP or Honors Physics

Approval Standard: Teacher approval is required to enroll in this course and will be determined by 1) student performance on major assessments and active engagement in classroom activities, with emphasis on the second semester and 2) the consistent and independent work ethic necessary to succeed in an advanced-level course.
Honors Anatomy & Physiology

In Honors Anatomy and Physiology, the many systems of the human body are evaluated. For each system, students learn the major organs, structures and detailed anatomy coupled with an understanding of cellular physiology. Students are expected to bring to the course an understanding of simple cellular biology from their biology course. It includes a dissection laboratory component to understand the general anatomy and many other laboratories to analyze the physiology of each system. All major body systems are addressed within the context of this course.

Prerequisite Course: Honors Biology or Honors level of most recent science course

Approval Standard: Teacher approval is required to enroll in this course and will be determined by 1) student performance on major assessments and active engagement in classroom activities, with emphasis on the second semester and 2) the consistent and independent work ethic necessary to succeed in an advanced-level course.
Marine Biology

Marine Biology is a one-semester, elective course open to any student. In this course, we will cover the physical and chemical features of the ocean environment, survey the classification and physiology of the organisms that live there, and discuss the major marine ecosystems and the effect humans are having on them. A range of laboratory activities and demonstrations will provide students with opportunities to learn about the topics in a more detailed, hands-on approach. The course is designed to be a challenging and thorough look at a rarely seen part of the world and is intended for students with a serious interest in biology.
Forensic Science

In this course, students will be introduced to mechanisms to critically evaluate collected evidence and expected to draw conclusions about the analysis of that evidence. Simulated crime scene data will be analyzed to learn techniques to evaluate DNA evidence, insect larval evidence, ballistics, fingerprints, blood spatter analysis, powders and molecule identification. Laboratory investigations will introduce techniques like blood typing, electrophoresis, fingerprint analysis, powder identification, insect larval analysis, ballistics, and chromatography of unknown chemicals.
Field Ecology

This course will give students hands-on experience with how ecologists conduct experiments, both in the field and in the greenhouse. Students will be expected to work independently, in small groups and participate in discussions with the entire class. Many of the experiments will be long-term studies. In addition to conducting field work, we will also be exploring the major ecological concepts which you were introduced to in a Biology course. In this course, students will be setting up several different projects, monitoring experiments, collecting data which will be the basis of some long-term studies and designing their own experiments. We will primarily be using the woods on the Archmere Academy campus but we will also use other habitats. Occasionally articles will be assigned which connect the topic being studied to current events. Science literacy is a skill which students will be asked to work on. Also, each student will choose published research papers to evaluate; one of these papers will be presented to the class and lead a discussion about that article.
Advanced Engineering & Design Practicum

Engineering is not simply a science, but rather a way of looking at the world. Advanced Engineering & Design Practicum is a college-level course that immerses students in the analytical mindset and problem-solving approach essential to engineering. Through classroom instruction, students explore key engineering concepts, including material selection, statics and dynamics of rigid systems and fluids, heat transfer, and engine mechanics. Additionally, they gain hands-on experience with computer-aided design.

A core component of the course is project-based learning, where students collaborate in teams to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills. In the second semester, students engage with practicing engineers to tackle real-world challenges and expand their professional networks. This course provides both a strong academic foundation and practical exposure to the engineering profession.

Prerequisite Course: Physics or Honors Physics or concurrently enrolled in AP Physics

Approval Standard: Teacher approval is required to enroll in this course and will be determined by 1) student performance on major assessments and active engagement in classroom activities, with emphasis on the second semester and 2) the consistent and independent work ethic necessary to succeed in an advanced-level course.
Introduction to Astronomy

Introduction to Astronomy is an elective course open to seniors. This course is one semester long and is divided into four parts:
1. Astronomy and the Universe
2. Our Planetary System
3. Stars and Stellar Evolution
4. Galaxies and Cosmology

This course presents a broad view of astronomy, straightforwardly descriptive and without complex mathematics. The absence of sophisticated mathematics, however, in no way prevents discussion of important concepts. Rather, we rely on qualitative reasoning as well as analogies with objects and phenomena familiar to the student, to some degree, this course is the extension of the studying of general science (Methods of Science, Chemistry, Physics) and mathematics (basic Algebra and Geometry). Students will use Stellarium (free open source astronomy software) for most virtual lab activities. In addition to the virtual labs, students will also carry sets of experiments with lenses, spherical mirrors, telescope models and other basic techniques of optics. We will spend one night doing astronomical observations at Mt. Cuba Astronomical Observatory, DE. Students will use information they collect from the observatory to draw conclusions or make inferences to the content of the exercise.

At the end of the course, students will be able to understand the basic concepts of the astronomical study of the universe, the relationship of earth to the universe and also apply the mathematical and physical concepts to the motion of the planetary bodies, such as planets, comets, and stars. They will be more familiar with astronomical instruments, such as telescopes, spectroscopes. They will be more familiar with the life and works of some famous astronomers and scientists such as Copernicus, Galileo, Newton, Brahe, Kepler, Hubble.

This course will help students communicate the excitement they feel about astronomy and also awaken them to the marvelous universe around us.

Prerequisite Course: CP or Honors Physics

Approval Standard: Teacher approval is required to enroll in this course and will be determined by 1) student performance on major assessments and active engagement in classroom activities, with emphasis on the second semester and 2) the consistent and independent work ethic necessary to succeed in an advanced-level course.
Advanced Cancer Research & Analysis

This course is designed for students interested in scientific research and data analysis as it pertains to the medical field. It consists of three parts; a data analysis semester, a biotechnology and cancer biology semester, and the opportunity to intern with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). In the first semester, students will learn how to analyze data collected from cancer patients, via the Data Driven Discovery in Biomedicine (D3b) datasets, in order to evaluate treatments and disease progression. In the second semester, students will learn about the purpose of the D3b program at CHOP by studying cancer, its causes, and treatments as well as learning about current biotechnology and its application in the process of diagnosing and treating cancer patients. The course will include keynote speakers from CHOP, visits to relevant sections of the D3b program, and each semester will culminate in a poster project to be presented at an in-house conference. Over the summer, several students will have the opportunity to intern with the D3b program, including shadowing in the hospital setting and research labs, and working on a specific data analysis project.

Prerequisite Courses: Intro to Computer Programming; and Honors Biology or AP Biology

Approval Standard: Teacher approval is required to enroll in this course and will be determined by 1) student performance on major assessments and active engagement in classroom activities, with emphasis on the second semester and 2) the consistent and independent work ethic necessary to succeed in an advanced-level course.

Select a Department

Department

Faculty

Dr. Matthew Wilcox

Science Teacher; Computer Science Teacher

302-798-6632 Ext 836

University of Central Florida - Ph.D.
University of Maryland, Baltimore County - B.S.

mwilcox@archmereacademy.com
Dr. Sharon Archer

Science Teacher

302-798-6632 Ext 764

University of Virginia - Ph.D.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Graduate Studies
College of William and Mary - B.S.

sarcher@archmereacademy.com
Bio
Education: College of William and Mary - B.S.
University of Virginia - Ph.D.
Mr. John Bellace Jr.

Science Teacher

302-798-6632 Ext 762

Villanova University - M.A.
Richard Stockton College - B.S.

jbellace@archmereacademy.com
Bio
Education: Richard Stockton College - B.S.
Villanova University - M.A.
Dr. Jennifer Christy Ph.D.

Washington State University - Ph.D.
University of Georgia - M.S.
University of New Hampshire - B.A.

jchristy@archmereacademy.com
Bio
Education: University of New Hampshire - B.A.
University of Georgia - M.S.

Washington State University - Ph.D.
Mr. JR Creekmore Jr.

Science Teacher

302-798-6632 Ext 761

Villanova University - M.A.
University of Tennessee, Knoxville - B.S.

jrcreekmore@archmereacademy.com
Mrs. Leah Davidson-Wolf

Science Teacher

302-798-6632 Ext 736

University of Maryland, Baltimore County - M.A.T.
Goucher College - B.A.

ldavidsonwolf@archmereacademy.com
Dr. Dorothy Escobar

Science Teacher

302-798-6632 Ext 829

Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science - Ph.D.
Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science - M.S.
Caldwell College - B.A.

descobar@archmereacademy.com
Dr. Patti Fallest-Strobl

Paternity Leave Sub

DePaul University - B.S.
Northwestern University - Ph.D.

pstrobl@archmereacademy.com
Mr. Fredrick Okocha

Science Teacher

302-798-6632 Ext 765

Imperial College London - M.S.
Delta State University - B.S.

fokocha@archmereacademy.com
Mr. Peter Rainwater

Science Teacher

302-798-6632 Ext 763

Franciscan University of Steubenville - B.S.

prainwater@archmereacademy.com