Science and Engineering

The Science Department members share their enthusiasm and interests to spark curiosity and to nurture and develop an interest in science.It is important for students to understand that science is a process for approaching problems and that the approaches used in science may be relevant to other situations in their lives. The department stresses to students how science is an ever-expanding body of knowledge and that ideas and theories are modified as scientists learn more. It is a dynamic field, not a static one!

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Science at Hebron Academy
The Science Department strives to provide students with a solid background in the life and physical sciences; spark curiosity for science and technology issues related to everyday lives; help develop more acute observational skills; and prepare students well for college-level courses.

Science Facilities
Hebron's Science Facilities include:

Kaneb Center for Science and Engineering

Fabrication Lab

Design Studio 1

Physics and Chemistry Labs

Human Biological Sciences Lab

1500 acres of outdoor learning spaces

Explore Unique Offerings
Hebron provides students unique science opportunities:

Advanced Placement courses

EDIE Pathway

Independent study science research

Hydrogen car program

Engineering Club

Science and Engineering Courses

AGRICULTURE & CLIMATE CHANGE

This class is offered to juniors, seniors, and post-graduate students and examines the ecological, economic, and social aspects of agriculture both locally in the Hebron community as well as in a global context. Study will also focus on how climate change influences agricultural systems. The hands-on aspect of the class may include the construction and maintenance of local agriculture projects such as gardens, greenhouse, and livestock as well as trips related to agriculture in Maine. Examination of larger scale agriculture and climate change issues will be examined through research of case studies in peer reviewed and mainstream literature. This is not a traditional scientific experimentation/methodology class. We will focus on skills related to scientific literacy and communication. This will be a class to get outside and do things to improve our local community in an agricultural context and to understand relationships--ecological, economic, and social--with respect to agricultural resources. Prerequisite: background in biology.

ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY

Anatomy and Physiology is a full-year elective course for those seniors and post-graduate students who have successfully completed their biology and physical science requirements. This is an advanced course on the structure and functions of the human body. Students will gain an understanding of human anatomy and physiology that is geared towards topics and curriculum that students will see within a basic college level course. Topics include the human muscular and skeletal systems, cardiovascular structure and physiology, the respiratory system, digestive system, nervous system, and homeostasis. Digital media, iPad applications, and presentation skills will be highlighted as well. Special focus in the areas of sports medicine, human health, athletic injuries, disease, and nutrition as well as hands-on lab work to emphasize each concept. Prerequisites: one year of biology.

AP BIOLOGY

The most rigorous course in Biology, the Advanced Placement course is designed to allow students to delve deeply into the patterns of structure and function in the living world. A high level of performance in previous chemistry and biology courses are a prerequisite for this course, and physics is recommended, which includes detailed class discussion, extensive laboratory work, and comprehensive tests. The biology prerequisite may be waived in the case of extraordinarily motivated students. Topics include (1) the processes that underlie evolution, driving biological unity and diversity, (2) the use of free energy in biological metabolic and maintenance processes, (3) biological information systems, and (4) the organization, function, and interactions of biological systems. Students completing the course will take the Advanced Placement examination in Biology in May. Enrollment in this course requires departmental approval.

AP CHEMISTRY

Advanced Placement Chemistry is a course for highly motivated students. The AP Chemistry course develops topics in atomic structure, periodicity, kinetics, equilibrium, electrochemistry, organic chemistry, thermodynamics and the descriptive chemistry of elements. Special attention is given to solving problems using these concepts. Laboratory work is extensive, including the preparation of various inorganic compounds, qualitative analysis of cations, determination of solubility products and equilibrium constants, potentiometric acid-base titrations, and electroplating. A student completing the course will take the Advanced Placement examination in May. Enrollment in this course requires departmental approval.

AP PHYSICS C: MECHANICS

The most rigorous course in physics, AP Physics C is an introduction to calculus-based physics that qualified students may take concurrently with calculus. The course begins with a rigorous treatment of classical mechanics including Newton’s laws, conservation laws, and oscillations. This course thoroughly prepares students to take the AP Physics C: Mechanics exam in the spring. Introductory topics in electromagnetism may also be covered, including electrostatics and Gauss's Law after the AP exam. Heavy emphasis is placed on working multi-step problems whose solutions require varied techniques. Laboratory work is a major part of this course and is intensive and wide ranging, allowing students the hands-on experience to gain a thorough understanding of the principles being studied. Pre/corequisite: Calculus or above and departmental approval.

APPLIED ENGINEERING | E3

The Applied Engineering class is one of the two, third-year options in Hebron’s engineering pathway (E3). This class expands on the many topics in the Principles of Engineering class (E2) with a larger focus on applying these concepts to understand typical manufacturing processes, product design, robotics, and automation. In this class students will extensively use VEX robotics kits to design, build, and program their own machines. Students will develop their knowledge and skills of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and will learn to operate Hebron’s advanced manufacturing equipment including: Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) mill, Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printer, stereolithography (SLA) 3D printer, vinyl cutter, and laser cutter/engraver. Students apply the knowledge and skills gained in this course as they collaborate to design, build, and program factory system models. This course culminates with a capstone project where students design, build, program, and present a manufacturing process capable of creating a product and use the school’s equipment to produce that product. Prerequisites: Principles of Engineering (E2).

BIOLOGY

BIOLOGY (HONORS)

This introductory course, which integrates laboratory exercises and field studies with classroom discussion, emphasizes the continuity of life and the complementary nature of structure and function in the living world. Topics include ecological relationships between organisms, cell structure and function, energy transformation, cell division, genetics, and the structure and function of selected plant and animal physiological systems. This course continues to build upon scientific writing and lab-based skills begun in previous science classes. Honors Biology explores a similar topic set, but with increased pace, rigor, and expectations of the students. Prerequisite/corequisite: physical science (chemistry or physics). Enrollment in this course requires departmental approval.

CHEMISTRY

CHEMISTRY (HONORS)

Chemistry is a full-year introductory laboratory course that presents a thorough study of the fundamental principles of atomic structure, periodicity, chemical bonding in the three phases of matter, chemical reactions with stoichiometry, energy and the concepts of equilibrium. Classroom lectures and discussions are supplemented with frequent laboratory exercises utilizing experimentation on the micro-scale. The students learn to analyze data and then write reports on their results. The honors level of this course maintains very similar themes but adds greater depth to the above topics as well as a stronger focus on the mathematical components of chemistry. Enrollment in this course requires departmental approval.

CONCEPTUAL PHYSICS

Students will take a course in Conceptual Physics during their 9th grade year at Hebron. This class will focus on necessary scientific skills such as independent research, technical writing, scientific method, and experimental design under the umbrella of physical laws such as motion, force, work, and energy. Moreover students will learn principles of design and engineering by solving problems related to the motion of objects. Students in this course will be required to complete several collaborative projects in which they will design their own experiments, collect data, and present their major findings both in writing and through presentation. In this way, teachers of this course will strongly emphasize lab and writing skills to reinforce the idea that science is inquiry based and that students must always draw conclusions by first generating evidence. This course is meant to provide students the backbone skill set that will help them be more successful as they move into upper-level science coursework.

HUMAN BIOLOGY & PUBLIC HEALTH

The Human Biology and Public Health course is an elective course that will provide students with a global awareness of personal and community health education. Each student will gain a better understanding of human biology, biochemistry, disease, mental health, nutrition, medical treatments as well as the development aspects of children and young adults. An eclectic approach to the curriculum will provide each student with hands-on applications and understanding of the variety of topics within this course. Research, presentations, laboratory exercises, group discussions, and a variety of technology techniques will be used to highlight each topic.

KINESIOLOGY

This full-year senior and post-graduate elective is designed to mirror a first-year college course in the physical sciences. Kinesiology will provide students a basic understanding of the study of human motion through musculoskeletal anatomy, neuromuscular physiology, and basic biomechanics. The student will gain a better understanding of how the human body achieves its motions through applying hands-on applications of biomechanical principles and conduct research within proper body mechanics and techniques. Students will utilize motion analysis and the latest technology to study several sports and activities as well as the science behind weight training, cardiovascular training, neuromuscular resistance, plyometrics, and the importance of dynamic movements. The goal of this course is for students to learn and apply the basic concepts within physics dealing with movements and forces within the human body. Students should gain valuable information that will help them throughout a basic college-level kinesiology course. Prerequisites: one year of biology.

PHYSICS

Physics requires students to learn to apply principles to problems encountered in everyday life and to perform laboratory exercises to gain hands-on experience with these principles. We use iPads and our Pasco sensor system to make detailed measurements of phenomena in laboratory experiments. We will also make use of the Hebron telescope to make detailed observations of the night sky. Topics explored in this class include classical mechanics, astronomy, cosmology, electricity and magnetism, and optics. Prerequisite/corequisite: Algebra II.

PRINCIPLES OF ENGINEERING

The Principles of Engineering class is the second class in Hebron’s EDIE (Engineering, Design, Innovation, Entrepreneurship) Pathway. In Principles of Engineering students build on the skills they gained in E1 as they encounter more engineering-specific topics that they might study in a postsecondary engineering course. The major units of this class are Energy and Power, Materials and Structures, Control Systems, and Statistics and Kinematics. Students develop their skills and understanding of concepts through activity, project, and problem-based learning. Throughout this course, students will also gain the knowledge and skills to use high-end technical machines including our materials tester, laser cutters, CNC router, and different 3D printers. Students will continuously document their work in engineering notebooks and practice communicating their solutions to their peers and members of the greater community. This class also helps students to develop strategies to direct their own learning in and out of the classroom. Prerequisite: Successful completion of one of Hebron’s E1 classes and Algebra 1.

SOCIAL INNOVATION | E3

Social Innovation is one of the two, third-year options in Hebron’s engineering pathway (E3). Students will learn about social entrepreneurship and consider how organizations make social and environmental impacts. They will learn about global, complex problems and possible solutions by investigating case studies. By examining real-world examples, they will consider these issues at all levels from problem identification, to funding, to innovative solution design, to advocacy for impacted peoples, and finally, to delivery of solutions. In a capstone experience, the students will use what they have learned about Engineering and Design cycles in E1 and E2 classes and collaborate to solve social and environmental issues in our local community. Prerequisites: Principles of Engineering (E2).

Our Science Program

The department strives to provide students with a solid background in the life and physical sciences to prepare them to deal effectively with science and technology issues related to their everyday lives, to help develop more acute observational skills, as well as to prepare students well for college-level courses. Each student must complete at least one full-year laboratory course in both life science (biology) and physical science (chemistry or physics).

Please note that minimum enrollment is required to run classes.

Meet our Science Faculty