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The Science Department strives to teach every student how to design, collect and analyze data, and solve problems and think critically using scientific laws and principles.
Students will be able to examine experimental results to determine factors affecting predicted cause and effect relationships.(Grad at Grad: Excellence in Education)
Students will be able to use scientific laws and principles to design solutions to problems in the physical world.(Grad at Grad: Faith in the Presence of God, Excellence in Education)
Students will:
Apply the principles of conservation of mass and energy
Students will be able to demonstrate scientific skills and techniques to design solutions to problems in the physical world.(Grad at Grad: Excellence in Education)
Students will:
Conduct experiments using the scientific method
Analyze data
Use and convert scientific units
Use the mathematical forms of scientific principles to solve problems
Students will be able to analyze system properties and interactions to design solutions to problems in the physical world.(Grad at Grad: Concern for the Poor and Social Justice, Excellence in Education, Respect for All Persons, Participation with Inclusive Community)
Students will:
Determine how the properties of the parts of a system contribute to its function
Study interactions between systems
Design real world applications based on system properties and interactions
Departments
Faculty
List of 8 items.
Pete Spiessbach '98
Department Chair pete.spiessbach@mullenhigh.com BS in Chemistry and Mathematics, Regis University MS in Chemical and Life Science, University of Maryland
Pete Spiessbach graduated from Mullen in 1998 and went on to study Chemistry and Math at Regis University, where he also played rugby. In 2003, Pete began teaching Algebra and Chemistry and coaching basketball at Mullen. He completed his Masters Degree from Maryland in 2010. Currently, he teaches Honors Chemistry, AP Chemistry, Honors Physics and Engineering and coaches basketball at Bear Creek. He and his awesome wife Anne (also a Mullen alum, class of 2000, and former Mullen teacher) have been married since 2009 and have two boys: Henry and Charlie.
Gretchen grew up in Washington state. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Washington State University and a Professional Teaching Certificate from Seattle University. Gretchen has taught middle school and high school science in Washington and also at the American School Foundation in Monterrey, Mexico. In addition to teaching science, Gretchen is a nationally certified Pilates instructor with over 15 years of experience. She and her husband, Alejandro, have two boys who attend Mullen. Gretchen and her family have lived in Mexico, Dominican Republic, Houston, Idaho Falls, Idaho, and finally Denver. Gretchen also is an assistant coach for Cross Country and Girls Soccer and is the Pilates instructor for the strength and performance program at Mullen.
Mara joined the Science Department at Mullen in 2014. Originally from Connecticut, Mara spent nine years living in Washington D.C. where she completed graduate school and worked. While in graduate school researching how methane was removed from the seafloor of the Arctic by microorganisms and new techniques for compound specific radiocarbon analysis, Mara stumbled into teaching through various fellowships and teaching opportunities at the University of Maryland. Mara completed her Ph. D. program in 2012 and began teaching as a Professorial Lecturer in the Chemistry Department at American University. Mara and her husband, Ryan, moved to Denver in 2014 and have two children, Patrick and Shea.
Kimberly Elste
kimberly.elste@mullenhigh.com B.S. Biological Science, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo M.A. Education Administration, Loyola Marymount University, CA
Kimberly Elste has worked in public, private, and higher education for over 20 years. She likes to focus on curricular pedagogy, problem based learning and meaningful integration of technology and real-world examples in her classroom teaching. Ms. Elste has served as a classroom teacher, innovation specialist, instructional and technology coach and as an instructor and supervisor in teacher education. She holds a master’s in education administration from Loyola Marymount University, CA, and a bachelor’s in biological science from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA. When she is not working, she enjoys time with her family, being outdoors, and playing the piano.
Ms. Metcalfe was born and raised in the gloomy winter wonderland of St. Johns, Michigan. She attended Central Michigan University and played basketball for 5 years. She taught for three years in Aurora, Colorado at North Middle school, as well as in Douglas County, at Chaparral High school for 8 years, everything from physical science, chemistry, anatomy and physiology and genetics.
This is a college-style course on the workings of the human body. Focus will be upon the processes involved in a living mammalian system. A working knowledge of human anatomy is helpful. Lab work will include various experiments with students as their own subjects. Recommended for students interested in medicine or sports physiology careers. This class covers Anatomical Terminology, Histology, Integumentary System, Skeletal System, Muscular System, and Nervous System. (NCAA course)
This course is the first part of a two-trimester college prep course. This beginning course will include the scientific method, microscope studies, basic chemistry, the chemistry of living things, cell structure cell processes, and basic genetics. Students will conduct laboratory investigations and write-ups, and are expected to master basic science vocabulary. (NCAA Course)
This first trimester of a two-part sequence follows a similar syllabus to the college-preparatory course with the major distinctions being pace and expectations. The student who successfully places into Honors Biology will be one who has a sufficient command of math including the metric system, they have well established abilities in reading comprehension, their writing skills are age-appropriate and they have the important skills of independent thought and action. As with the college preparatory course, students will study the scientific method, the microscope, and introductory chemistry, chemistry of living things, cell structure and function, cell processes and basic genetics. Student labs will be rigorous and will require technically correct reports. (NCAA Course)
Biology AP® is a rigorous course designed to prepare students to take the AP® Biology exam in May. AP® Biology is a laboratory-based, college-level course that covers three general areas: (1) molecules & cells; (2) heredity & evolution; (3) organisms & populations. The two main goals of AP® Biology are to help students develop a conceptual framework of modern biology & to help students gain an appreciation of science as a process. (NCAA Course)
Biotechnology is a rigorous and exciting course designed to give students a comprehensive introduction to cutting edge scientific concepts and laboratory research techniques in the field of biotechnology. Students will explore the field of genetic engineering through the use of hands-on cloning projects and various laboratory techniques including PCR, microbiological techniques, and ELISA testing. Students will explore and evaluate the field of biotechnological research through extensive readings, laboratory design experiments, class discussions, and research projects. (NCAA course)
This course will include metric system, atomic theory, and nuclear reactions, electron configurations, the Periodic Table, bonding and shapes of molecules, molecular polarity as it relates to the properties of solids, liquids and gases, formulas and names of chemical compounds, and the mole. In addition, the course will include: review of moles, writing and balancing equations; stoichiometry, solutions and molarity, gas laws, heat energy and thermodynamics, acid base chemistry, chemical kinetics and equilibrium. Experiments will aid the student to reach an understanding of interactions of matter. Use of laboratory experiments will continue to reinforce the concepts studied in class. (NCAA Course)
This course is designed as the equivalent of first-year collegiate chemistry. It also is designed to prepare students to take the Advanced Placement® Chemistry examination. Students will attain a depth of understanding of fundamentals and a reasonable competence in dealing with chemical problems. Emphasis will be placed on chemical calculations, mathematical formulations of principles, college-level laboratory work, and clear, logical oral and written expression of ideas. In this course, quantitative differences from both CP and Honors Chemistry will appear in the number of topics treated, class work and homework time and intensity, and the nature and variety of laboratory experiments. (NCAA Course)
This first part of a two-part, lab-based course will include making measurements, scientific math skills, atomic theory, electron configurations, the periodic table, bonding and shapes of molecules, molecular polarity as it relates to the properties of solids, liquids and gases, formulas and names of chemical compounds, and the mole. Experiments will aid the student in reaching an understanding of interactions of matter. (NCAA course, lab-based)
This is considered an accelerated chemistry course. The course requires students to have laboratory experimentation skills. Some of the topics covered will be atomic structure and electron configurations, quantum theory and numbers, hybridization, nuclear reactions, periodicity, nomenclature, mole calculations, empirical & molecular formulas, and balancing equations. Students will be expected to apply concepts that they have learned to different situations. This is an excellent course for those students wishing to continue some future in medicine, engineering or science. (NCAA Course)
This is the second part of a two-part course of the college-prep chemistry classes. It completes the requirement for chemistry. The course will include: review of moles, writing and balancing equations; stoichiometry, solutions and molarity, gas laws, heat energy and thermodynamics, acid base chemistry, chemical kinetics and equilibrium. Use of laboratory experiments will continue to reinforce the concepts studied in class. (NCAA Course)
Students will be introduced to the mechanical and chemical design processes, green energy, materials science, and robotics by completing projects in which they design, build, and test specific devices. Students will gain hands-on experience working through the engineering design cycle and will learn the concepts and technology to help support their development of a solution. Students will work cooperatively in small design groups and present their work. The course is lab based and will require that students have skill in laboratory investigation (NCAA course, lab-based)
This lab based course is a review of the abiotic portions of the Earth and Earth processes as well as an in-depth study of how Earth’s biotic factors interact with each other and with their abiotic environment. There is an emphasis on the impact of man on his environment as well as an analysis of current environmental topics.(NCAA course, lab-based)
This course is part one of a two-part interdisciplinary class in which students who have completed the prerequisite science and social studies classes are able to combine their studies to study the fields of science and law in more depth. This laboratory-based class will focus crime scene analysis, trace evidence, serology, forensic anthropology, DNA fingerprint analysis, ballistics and forensic entomology. Students must also enroll in 866 Forensics: Law CP (NCAA Course)
This course includes the metric system, scientific notation, significant figures, measurement and analysis, the study of matter, the atomic structure, and the periodic table.. Students perform hands-on laboratory experiments to investigate concepts studied in class. This is an excellent course to prepare students for subsequent chemistry courses. (NCAA Course)
This course moves at a faster pace than its CP counterpart. Students will be expected to demonstrate a good grasp of scientific notation, conversion of units, and algebraic manipulation of equations as they enter the class. Topics include the metric system, scientific notation, significant figures, measurement and analysis, the study of matter, the atomic structure, the periodic table, balancing equations, basic stoichiometry, acids and bases. Students perform hands-on laboratory experiments to investigate concepts studied in class. This is an excellent course to prepare students for subsequent chemistry courses. (NCAA Course)
This course moves at a faster pace than its CP counterpart. Topics include motion, forces, gravity, work, power, energy, simple machines, mechanical waves, and sound. Students perform numerous hands-on laboratory experiments to investigate concepts studied in class. This is an excellent course to prepare students for subsequent physics courses. (NCAA Course)
This algebra-based physics course is designed to give students hands-on problem-solving and laboratory experience in the field of mechanics. Topics include the SI-system, vectors, one and two dimensional kinematics, Newton's Laws, statics, dynamics and circular motion. In addition, students may complete one or mechanical design projects. This course is intended for students who are considering a continuation of their science studies at the college level. (NCAACourse)
Physics Honors is a rigorous algebra-based physics course with introduction of calculus. Topics include the SI-system, vectors, one and two dimensional kinematics, uniform circular motion, Newton's Laws, statics, dynamics, work, energy, power and momentum. There is a strong emphasis on problem solving and laboratory work. In addition, students may complete one or more mechanical design projects. This course is intended for students who are strongly interested in continuing their science studies at the college level and may pursue a major in physics or engineering. . (NCAA Course)
AP® Physics C is a rigorous calculus-based physics course designed to prepare students to take the AP® Physics C - Mechanics exams in May. Mechanics topics include one and two dimensional kinematics, uniform circular motion, Newton's Laws, statics, dynamics, work, energy, power, momentum, rotational motion, gravitation and oscillations. There is a strong emphasis on problem solving and laboratory work. This course is intended for students who are strongly interested in continuing their science studies at the college level and may pursue a major in physics or engineering. (NCAA Course)