Integrated Science is a multi-disciplinary, phenomenon-driven core laboratory science course designed to build foundational literacy across the four major domains of natural science: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Earth & Space Science. Aligned with High School Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs), Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs), and State Core Science Standards, this course emphasizes real-world phenomena, quantitative problem-solving, data collection, and scientific argumentation.
Throughout the 36-week academic year, students explore how basic physical laws govern chemical interactions, how chemical processes sustain biological systems, and how biological and physical systems interact to shape Earth's global environment.
Hours per Week in Laboratory Investigations / Wetlabs: 2.5 to 3.5 Hours per Week
Part 1: Physics (Quarter 1)
Wetlab 1 (Ch. 1: About Science): Controlled Experimental Design & Density/Measurement Calibration
Description: Students test claims of absorbency/density for commercial materials, using analytical balances, graduated cylinders, variable manipulation, and precise metric unit conversions.
Wetlab 2 (Ch. 2: Describing Motion): Photogate Dynamics & Motion Graphing
Description: Students release dynamics carts down inclined tracks across photogate timers to collect position, velocity, and time data, generating and analyzing d-t and v-t graphs.
Wetlab 3 (Ch. 3: Newton's Laws): Force & Acceleration Verification (F=ma) & Collision Force Pairs
Description: Using dual force sensors and motion detectors, students quantify the relationship between mass, force, and acceleration, and verify equal and opposite reaction forces during collisions.
Wetlab 4 (Ch. 4: Momentum & Energy): Mechanical Energy Conservation & Collision Momentum Lab
Description: Students track energy conversion (PE -> KE) on roller-coaster track models and measure velocity vectors in elastic and inelastic collisions using air track gliders.
Wetlab 5 (Ch. 5: Gravity): Gravitational Force Modeling & Centripetal Acceleration Lab
Description: Students simulate inverse-square relationships using light intensity/field proxies and execute a centripetal force apparatus investigation with swinging masses to model orbital forces.
Wetlab 6 (Ch. 6: Heat): Specific Heat Capacity Calorimetry & Heat Transfer Wetlab
Description: Students perform coffee-cup calorimetry using heated metal samples (copper, aluminum, iron) in water baths to calculate specific heat capacity (c) and compare conduction rates across materials.
Wetlab 7 (Ch. 7: Electricity & Magnetism): DC Circuit Assembly & Electromagnet Construction Lab
Description: Students build breadboard series and parallel circuits using multimeters to measure voltage/current, and construct variable-core electromagnets to quantify magnetic field strength vs. current.
Wetlab 8 (Ch. 8: Waves: Sound & Light): Ripple Tank & Tuning Fork Wave Interference Lab
Description: Students calculate wave speed (v = fλ) using tuning forks and resonance tubes, and analyze diffraction, interference patterns, and Doppler shifts in water ripple tanks.
Part 2: Chemistry (Quarter 2)
Wetlab 9 (Ch. 9: Atoms & Periodic Table): Flame Test & Periodic Trends Reactivity Wetlab
Description: Students observe characteristic emission spectra of metal salt solution sprays (Cu, Na, K, Sr, Ca) under Bunsen burners and compare alkaline earth metal reactivity trends in aqueous solution.
Wetlab 10 (Ch. 10: Atomic Nucleus): Radioactive Decay Simulation & Cloud Chamber Observation
Description: Students track isotopic decay curves using dice/coin probability models and observe real alpha and beta particle tracks in isopropyl alcohol diffusion cloud chambers with weak sources.
Wetlab 11 (Ch. 11: Investigating Matter): Gas Law Quantification (Boyle/Charles) & Phase Curve Lab
Description: Students measure pressure vs. volume relationships using sealed syringe sensors and construct precise heating curves for water/ice mixtures using temperature probe data logging.
Wetlab 12 (Ch. 12: Chemical Bonds): Physical & Chemical Properties of Ionic vs. Covalent Substances
Description: Students test melting points, solubility in polar/nonpolar solvents, and electrical conductivity of dissolved ionic salts (NaCl, CaCl2) vs. covalent compounds (sucrose, paraffin).
Wetlab 13 (Ch. 13: Chemical Reactions): Mass Conservation & Reaction Rate Kinetics Wetlab
Description: Students verify mass conservation in closed-system precipitation reactions (BaCl2 + Na2SO4) and investigate reaction rates by varying acid concentration and temperature with zinc metal.
Wetlab 14 (Ch. 14: Organic Chemistry): Organic Ester Synthesis & Hydrocarbon Molecular Modeling
Description: Students synthesize aromatic organic esters (pear/banana scents) via Fischer esterification of carboxylic acids and alcohols, and assemble structural isomer molecular models.
Part 3: Biology (Quarter 3)
Wetlab 15 (Ch. 15: The Cell): Compound Light Microscopy & Plasmolysis Osmosis Wetlab
Description: Students prepare wet mounts of Elodea leaves and human cheek cells under compound microscopes, observing cell wall structure and plasmolysis under hypertonic saline flushes.
Wetlab 16 (Ch. 16: Genetics): Strawberry Genomic DNA Extraction & Gel Electrophoresis
Description: Students perform crude lysis, salt precipitation, and alcohol spooling to extract genomic DNA from strawberries, and run dye samples through agarose gel electrophoresis chambers.
Wetlab 17 (Ch. 17: Evolution): Natural Selection Predation Simulation & Fossil Analysis
Description: Students run background-camouflaged population simulations to quantify allele frequency shifts over generation cycles, and analyze hominid/fossil comparative morphology.
Wetlab 18 (Ch. 18: Diversity of Life): Dichotomous Key Classification & Microscopic Identification
Description: Students collect local macroinvertebrates/pond water samples and use structural dichotomous keys to classify organisms into Domains, Kingdoms, and Phyla.
Wetlab 19 (Ch. 19: Human Biology I): Human Reflex Arc & Homeostatic Temperature Feedback Lab
Description: Students measure visual/auditory reaction time using drop-stick apparatus and record physiological heart rate / skin surface temperature recovery curves following acute exercise stress.
Wetlab 20 (Ch. 20: Human Biology II): Mammalian Heart Dissection & Spirometry Gas Exchange Lab
Description: Students dissect preserved mammalian hearts to trace atrium/ventricle structures and valve pathways, and measure vital lung capacity using handheld spirometers.
Wetlab 21 (Ch. 21: Ecology): Eco-Bottle Closed System Microcosm & Nitrogen Cycling
Description: Students construct dual-chamber aquatic/terrestrial eco-columns to track dissolved oxygen, pH, nitrate/ammonia nutrient cycling, and biomass energy pyramids over 14 days.
Part 4: Earth & Space Science (Quarter 4)
Wetlab 22 (Ch. 22: Plate Tectonics): Mantle Thermal Convection Simulation & Plate Boundary Modeling
Description: Students model viscous thermal convection currents using heated fluid tanks and map epicenter data to reconstruct plate boundary geometries.
Wetlab 23 (Ch. 23: Rocks & Minerals): Mineral Identification Physical Testing & Rock Cycle Wetlab
Description: Students perform Mohs hardness tests, acid streak tests (HCl), streak plate analysis, and specific gravity tests on unknown mineral specimens and classify igneous/sedimentary/metamorphic rocks.
Wetlab 24 (Ch. 24: Earth’s Surface): Aquifer Porosity, Permeability & Land Subsidence Model
Description: Students measure flow rates and water storage capacity across sand, gravel, and clay columns and simulate groundwater over-pumping land collapse using compaction tanks.
Wetlab 25 (Ch. 25: Surface Processes): Chemical vs. Physical Weathering & Stream Table Erosion Lab
Description: Students measure mass loss of limestone (CaCO3) in acidic solution to model chemical weathering and quantify water stream table flow velocity vs. sediment transport rates.
Wetlab 26 (Ch. 26: Weather & Climate): Greenhouse Gas Thermal Absorption & Air Mass Front Lab
Description: Students measure thermal retention of standard air vs. CO2-enriched air under heat lamps using temperature probes, and simulate cold/warm front density dynamics in dual-fluid tanks.
Wetlab 27 (Ch. 27: Environmental Geology): Ore Extraction Chemical Leaching & Water Quality Reclamation
Description: Students perform dilute acid leaching of copper from low-grade ore samples, recover copper metal via single-replacement electro-plating, and measure post-remediation runoff water pH.
