Rainshadow CCHS – Fall 2010 ID Science 4A Syllabus

This course is a synthesis of the role of the sciences in interdisciplinary inquiry

with an emphasis on the relationships between Science, Technology, and Society.
Joe Ferguson: joe@rainshadowcchs.org *** www.joerainshadow.weebly.com
Course Description: This culminating RS Science course provides synthesis of the role of the
sciences in interdisciplinary inquiry with an emphasis on the relationships of science, technology, and
society. It presents a historical overview of science and provides discussion of overarching science
concepts such as systems, models, risk, prediction, and applications of science. This course delivers
Rainshadow and State of NV Standards for grade 12 and prepares students to use science as a tool in
careers, higher education, and life.
Course Aims and Objectives for this Semester:
Upon completion of this semester unit, students will;
- Take an interdisciplinary perspective in studying the role of sciences in the physical world.
- Analyze such issues as biodiversity, ecosystems, and Nevada ecology.
- Use science as a tool for prediction to explore global issues and problems.
- Form a sense of their personal uses of science and technology in everyday life.
- Connect science inquiry to inquiry and values in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.
Requirements:
- participation in classroom activities every day.
- record of daily activities, current events, and notes.
- completed portfolio of assignments. (see requirements below)
- completed projects, presentations, quizzes, and exams.

Week / Dates Monday Wednesday

School rules & TERMS. Class What is Forensic Science? How do Science,
1) Aug. 30, Sept.1
expectations. Course syllabus. Technology, & Society Interact?
2) Sept. 6, 8 No School: Labor day Intro to Forensic Science
3) Sept. 13, 15 Crime Scene & Eyewitness Basics Eyewitness Reporting and Memory
4) Sept. 20, 22 The Art of Crime Detection Unit 1 Quiz, The Power of Evidence
5) Sept. 27, 29 Crime Scene Photos and Evidence Observing & Collecting Data
6) Oct. 4, 6 Different Types of Physical Evidence Impressions, Tool & Tire Marks
7) Oct. 11, 13 Substance / Powder Identification Ink Chromatography
8) Oct. 18, 20 Paint Chips Liquids & UV Light. Spectroscopy.
No School: Professional Development
9) Oct. 25, 27 Glass Breaks & Composition
Day
10) Nov. 1, 3 Collisions. Force, Mass, Acceleration Reconstructing Automobile Accidents
11) Nov. 8, 10 Ballistics, Firearms, Shells, Trajectory Linking Gunshot Wounds to Guns
Linking Killers to Guns. Prints,
12) Nov. 15, 17 Forgeries, Framing, and Falsifying Evidence
Residue.
13) Nov. 22, 24 Psychological Forensics & The Mind The Criminal Mind & Establishing Motive
14) Nov.29,Dec.1 Serial Killers & Arsonists Intro to Fire Science & Arson
15) Dec. 6, 8 Fires & Fiber Analysis Investigating Fires Scenes & Evidence
16) Dec. 13, 15 Solving a Local Arson Spree Story Reconstruction
17) Jan. 3, 5 Crime Scene Analysis & Evidence Crime Scene Lab
Course review and final exam study
18) Jan. 10, 12 Final Exam.
guide.
No School: Martin Luther King, Jr. Last class. Course reflection. Updating the
19) Jan. 17, 19
Day science section of your Rainshadow Portfolio.
Grading Policy and Assessment: This class will be based on an approximately 2,000 point system
for the 19 week period.
Point Breakdown:
Attendance and Participation – 500 points
Complete Folder of Work – 500 points
- includes classwork, projects, and lab exercises.
Major Projects, Presentations, Quizzes, & Exams – 500 points
Literacy Course – 500
Portfolio Contents: You will maintain a folder to be kept in-class with all of the assignments that you
complete for this class. You will also be required to maintain an online portfolio for each of your
Rainshadow classes where many of your assignments will be saved. At the end of the semester you will
complete your modified online school portfolio that will showcase all of your best work from this
course. Work done in this class should be included in the science section of your comprehensive
Rainshadow Portfolio.
 Interdisciplinary Science 4A & B
This course explores science as a means of interdisciplinary inquiry with
an emphasis on the relationship between science, technology, and society.
This Senior-level Rainshadow science course provides synthesis of the role of the sciences in
interdisciplinary inquiry with an emphasis on the relationships of science, technology, and society.
It presents a historical overview of science and provides discussion of overarching science concepts
such as systems, models, risk, prediction, and applications of science. Delivers Rainshadow & State
of Nevada standards for Environmental science prepares students to use science as a tool in careers,
higher education, and life.
Objectives
Students will…
 …take an interdisciplinary perspective in studying the role of sciences in the
physical world.
S1 (P.12.B.1-4) Forces and Motion: laws of motion, gravity, machines, pressure, density, buoyancy,
electricity, and magnetism.
S2 (P.12.A.1-9) Structure of Matter: physical properties, chemical bonding, atomic theory, systems of
particles, molecular theory.
S3 (P.12.C.1-6) Energy and Matter: energy forms, changes of state, heat and temperature, waves,
circuits, changes in systems.
S4 (P.12.A.1-9) Chemical Reaction: conservation of matter, rates of reaction, transformation of
matter, chemical properties.
S5 (P.12.C.1-6) Nuclear and Electromagnetic Energy: behavior of light, nuclear applications, nuclear
waste disposal, electromagnetic energies.
 …analyze such issues as biodiversity, ecosystems, and Nevada ecology.
S6 (L.12.B.1-3) Structure and Function: life cycles and disruption, equilibrium, cellular organization,
environment, plant structures
S15 (L.12.C.1-4) Ecosystems: biodiversity and ecosystems, cycles of matter and energy, food webs,
Nevada bioregions
 …use science as a tool for prediction to explore global issues and problems.
S16 (E.12.C.1-5) Natural Resources: consequences of resource use, recycling processes, careers, use of
natural resources, depletion, environmental degradation.
S17 (N.12.B.1-4) Conservation: analyze and evaluate consumption patterns, conservation efforts,
equilibriums, environmental issues, global concerns, tradeoffs, responsible behavior.
 …form a sense of their personal uses of science and technology in everyday life.
S19 (N.12.A.1-6) Reasoning and Critical Response Skills: evaluate data, credibility of sources,
cost/benefits analysis, system analysis, hypotheses, laws, theories, rules, generalization, assumption,
analogy models.
 …connect science inquiry to inquiry and values in the arts, humanities, and social
sciences.
S20 (N.12.A.1-6) Systems, Models, Risk, Prediction: mathematical models, predictions, systems,
statistical modeling, risk analysis
S21 (N.12.A.1-6) Values and Attitudes: curiosity, honesty, skepticism, reproducing results, multiple
explanations
S22 (N.12.A.1-6) Communication: follow experimental procedures, use tables and charts, participate
in group discussions, making arguments and claims