Science

What is the fundamental purpose of our department?>
The mission of the AFHS Science Department is to foster science skills by encouraging curiosity, modeling problem solving techniques, and guiding critical thinking for real world application, resulting in content comprehension that aligns with the state core. We will partner with students, regardless of ability, in order to develop these skills.

How do we achieve our desired end results?
The AFHS Science Department will continue to have a premier and respected place in the academic programs at AFHS. Teachers will work to stay current in their content areas and will create hands-on, engaging classes, utilizing technology in the learning process. Students will be enthusiastic about science and will leave our classes with useful science skills.

How must we behave to support our mission and vision?
• We value critical thinking through inquiry based instruction and encourage independent, lifelong learning.
• We value students, their perspectives, time, and education.
• We encourage students to make a commitment to their education and develop a strong work ethic.
• We value the development of a scientific outlook, encouraging curiosity, problem solving techniques, and real world applications.
• As professionals, we value a commitment to a high quality education for all students and ourselves.

What are our fundamental beliefs?
• We believe that all humans should be scientifically literate and capable of making informed decisions in their own lives and communities.
• We believe students should leave the classroom with the skills needed to be lifelong, independent learners.

Focusing our MVVBG on the Four Questions
Question #1—What do we expect our students to learn?
• We expect our students to learn the core-based science content.
• We expect them to obtain academic skills to succeed.
• We expect students to develop curiosity, problem solving techniques, and critical thinking for real world application.
• We expect our students to learn how to communicate scientific concepts through verbal and written means.

Question #2—How will we know what they have learned?
• We will monitor student achievement through a variety of formative and summative assessments including tests, quizzes, lab write-ups, projects, experiments, verbal questioning, etc.
• We will use our CRT Data to evaluate and modify our instruction.

Question #3—How will we respond to students who aren’t learning?
• When students are struggling, we will be available for individual remediation.
• We will monitor class progress and,if necessary, review important concepts.
• We will provide a variety of teaching and assessment styles to allow all learning styles a chance to succeed.

Question #4—How do we respond to students who have already learned the material?
• We encourage students that have obtained mastery to assist struggling peers.
• We provide positive reinforcement and recognition.
• We provide higher level learning opportunities.