Honors Chemistry is an accelerated comprehensive laboratory course designed to give students a more conceptual and in-depth understanding of chemical principles, processes, and applications at the macroscopic and the molecular-atomic levels. Students will apply science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) to construct their understanding of the structures and properties of matter, chemical equilibrium, chemical kinetics, and thermodynamics. Significant independent research, quarterly engineering projects, and laboratory work is integral to the learning experience and will emphasize experimental design, detailed observation, and data collection. Students will prepare formal written lab reports with extensive analysis of data and sources of error, describing graphically, algebraically and verbally real-world phenomena as functions. This course will also involve students developing solutions to authentic problem-based physical science issues and investigations, while exploring career opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Upon successful completion of this course, students will be prepared for enrollment in Advanced Placement Chemistry and/or Advanced Placement Biology.
