By Lindsay Newfeld
Tempe Prep has been undergoing many changes, but one of the biggest alterations has been to the science curriculum. Last year, a lot of modifications were discussed and debated by the Board of Directors, but, this year, those modifications are actually being put into motion.
First off are the changes to the Physics curriculum. In previous years, sophomores have taken Physics I and then Physics II as juniors. However, this year, Physics I and II have been combined into one class taken in the sophomore year. Then, everyone takes chemistry as a junior and, in their senior year, each student will get to choose which capstone course to take: Biology II, Physics II, or Chemistry II. The combination of Physics I and II into one class taken by the sophomores has also led to changes for the upperclassmen.
This year, both juniors and seniors are taking chemistry. There are two junior classes, two senior classes, and one class with a mixture of juniors and seniors. This was done so that no class would have over 22 students.
Next year, the class of 2017 will be the first class to participate in the capstone course. According to Ms. Tobin, the chair of the science department, “a reorganization of the science curriculum will benefit students by allowing them the opportunity to further explore the sciences through the rigorous and Socratic methods currently employed at TPA. They will provide students exposure to more advanced material and methodologies as they prepare for their college careers.”
The senior capstone will also give students a science choice in their senior year. Currently, the only choice students have in their classes is the decision of which language to take as a freshman. The new choice of which science class to take as a senior will be especially important for students who are interested in pursuing careers in the sciences.
Additionally, new science textbooks are being purchased for use in Physics and Chemistry classes. Ms. Tobin states that “the books were purchased to provide students with an at-home reference for those courses.”
Tempe Prep has always been known for its Great Books curriculum and outstanding humanities department, but, with these changes, hopefully it will also become known as a school with a renowned science program.