Science

Living Environment

Living Environment is a course that explores different aspects of living organisms, their interaction with the physical environment, and the principles that govern their existence. The course covers the study of cells and their biochemical functions, human body systems, homeostasis, heredity and genetics, reproduction and development, theories of evolution, ecology, and the impact of human beings on ecosystems. This course is usually the first high school level science that most students take, so emphasis is placed on understanding the basic concepts and methods of scientific inquiry, including creating hypotheses, design-ing experiments to test natural phenomena, basic lab skills and techniques, and writing lab reports. Stu-dents are required by NY State to conduct several experiments each year. The course at Fei Tian also extends beyond empirical science to explore Chinese medicine and other non-reductionist views of science.

Physical Setting - Earth Science

This course covers main subjects in major disciplines in earth science – astronomy, geology, meteorology and oceanography. Through classroom lectures, problem solving exercises, and laboratory practice, students study major concepts, principles, and skills required by the New York State Physical Setting Earth Science Core Curriculum. Where time permits, some “mysterious phenomena” that current earth science studies cannot explain will be introduced to students to encourage broader understanding and alternative ways of thinking of earth, nature, life, and human beings.

 
Physical Setting - Physics

This course focuses on understanding fundamental concepts of physics through experimentation and conceptual problem solving. Laboratory experiments and investigative demonstrations play a large part in daily activities, and students use graphing calculators and computers to collect and analyze physical data and present an organized lab report. Topics include graphing physical data, accelerated motion and forces, energy, waves, light and sound, electricity, and magnetism.

Physical Setting - Chemistry

This chemistry course is designed using the Physical Setting/Chemistry core curriculum to prepare students to explain both accurately and with appropriate depth concepts and models relating to chemistry. Topics covered include: the atomic structure, chemical formula and chemical equations, stoichiometry, physical properties of matter (including solutions), the periodic table, chemical bonding, kinetics of chemical reactions, equilibrium, oxidation/reduction, acids/bases, organic chemistry, and nuclear chemistry.