Rainshadow CCHS – Fall 2010 ID Science 3A Syllabus

Microworlds & Models

This course explores science as a means of interdisciplinary inquiry with an emphasis
on the role of the sciences in understanding natural phenomena
Joe Ferguson: joe@rainshadowcchs.org * www.joerainshadow.weebly.com
Course Description: This third year RS Science course will take an intensive look at science as a
tool for interdisciplinary inquiry focusing on the microscopic and macroscopic worlds by using labs,
hands-on activities, field trips, critical readings, research, and class discussions. It will examine
global issues and problems through the critical lens of the sciences, including the function of living
organisms, the natural world, and a wide range of current issues that relate to science. This course
meets Rainshadow & State of Nevada standards for Interdisciplinary Science 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;
- Understand similarities and differences amongst microcosms similar to the Truckee Meadows.
- Determine what health and other community services are available locally.
- Understand how biological systems such as organisms and ecosystems govern themselves.
- Understand how and why organisms, organize, change and migrate based on stimuli.
- Study the structures and functions of life: cells, organelles, life cycles, equilibrium, cellular
organization, cellular division, and environment.
- Examine and understand the fundamental concepts of heredity and diversity.
- Understand biological classification and taxonomy.
- Explore multiple perspectives and view points on the origins and emergence of life.
- Apply concepts in biology to current and enduring world issues and problems.
- Explore practical applications of the discoveries of biology to everyday life.
- Discuss current world issues and problems with concern for understanding and conserving ecosystems
by way of comprehending and unifying problem solving through the lens of biology.
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 Tuesday Thursday

Course intro and class expectations. The Demographics of the Truckee Meadows.
1) Aug. 31, Sept.2
Truckee Meadows Microcosm. Wikipedia & Google Earth.
2) Sept. 7, 9 Similar Population Centers Community Similarities & Differences
3) Sept. 14, 16 Human Health & Well Being Community Services Available
4) Sept. 21, 23 The HAWC Clinic No School: Professional Development
Constitutions. How Systems Govern
5) Sept. 28, 30 Energy Flow Through Systems
Themselves.
6) Oct. 5, 7 Food Chains Food Webs Project
7) Oct. 12, 14 Migrations & Expansions The How and Why of Organizations
8) Oct. 19, 21 Nevada Landscape Nevada Biomes
9) Oct. 26, 28 Finish Project Where does the Truckee Meadows Fit In?
10) Nov. 2, 4 Lives of the Cell: Smallest Living Unit The Cell Parts that Make up the Whole
11) Nov. 9, 11 Organelles Structure & Function No School: Veterans Day
12) Nov. 16, 18 Cellular Independence / Interdependence Cellular Interactions
13) Nov. 23, 25 Cells-Tissues-Organs-Organisms-Beyond No School: Thanksgiving
14) Nov.30,Dec.2 Divisions. Divide & Grow. Cellular Division
15) Dec. 7, 9 Deoxyribonucleic Acid Mutations & Cancer
16) Dec. 14, 16 Spontaneous Generation Theories on the Origins of Life
17) Jan. 4, 6 Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution Finish Project
18) Jan. 11, 13 Course review & final exam study guide Final Exam.
No School: Martin Luther King Jr. Last class. Course reflection. Updating the
19) Jan. 18, 20
Holiday science section of your RS 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 3A & B
This course explores science as a means of interdisciplinary inquiry with
an emphasis on science.
This third year RS Science course will take an intensive look at science as a tool for interdisciplinary
inquiry focusing on the microscopic and macroscopic worlds by using labs, hands-on activities, field
trips, critical readings, research, and class discussions. It will examine global issues and problems
through the critical lens of the sciences, including the function of living organisms, the natural
world, and a wide range of current issues that relate to science. This course meets Rainshadow &
State of Nevada standards for Interdisciplinary Science and prepares students to use science as a tool
in careers, higher education, and life.
Objectives
Students will…
 …study the structures and functions of life: life cycles, equilibrium, cellular
organization, and environment.
S6 (L.12.B.1-3) Structure and Function: life cycles and disruption, equilibrium, cellular
organization, environment, plant structures
S7 (L.12.C.1-4) Internal and External Influences: behavior and survival, response to environment,
nervous system and behavior, viral disease
 …examine and understand the fundamental concepts of heredity and diversity.
S8 (L.12.A.1-5) Heredity and Diversity: Genetic instructions and codes, DNA variation and
classification, patters of inheritance, species differentiation, mutations
 …explore multiple perspectives and view points on the origins and emergence of
life.
S9 (L.12.D.1-6) Evolution: genetic and environmental influences, fossil record, natural selection,
adaptation, life origins, evidence, extinction, influences
S12 (E.12.C.1-5) Earth History: change over time, geological record, fossil record, radioactive
dating
S19 (N.12.A.1-6) Reasoning and Critical Response Skills: evaluate data, credibility of sources,
cost/benefit analysis, risk analysis, system analysis, hypotheses, laws, theories, rules, generalization,
assumption, analogies models.
S21 (N.12.A.1-6) Values and Attitudes: curiosity, honesty, skepticism, reproducing results, multiple
explanations.
 …understand biological classification and taxonomy.
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.
 …apply concepts in biology to current and enduring world issues and problems.
S15 (L.12.C.1-4) Ecosystems: biodiversity and ecosystems, cycles of matter and energy, food webs,
Nevada bioregions.
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,
equilibrium, environmental issues, global concerns, trade offs, responsible behavior.
S18 (N.12.B.1-4) Scientific, Historical, and Technological Perspectives: scientific processes and
rules, economic influences on research, public policy, science as collaboration, disputes and
interpretations, technological outcomes and consequences, theory production, ethics