Scientific curricula in America can be broken down into three broad categories: chemical science, physical science, and biological science, also known as chemistry, physics, and biology, respectively. In the United States, students begin their scientific education with lessons that are primarily observational in nature and serve to provide children with a foundational understanding that will serve them in more advanced classes. Early science classes aim to inspire a love of investigation and experimentation in the students.
As students age, science students begin to learn about the science all around them. Educators still do not go into much depth with lesson plans, which allows children to learn about a myriad of more specific scientific topics, ranging from life sciences, such as zoology and botany, to the science of outer space. Teachers, meanwhile, are tasked with helping students develop a more sophisticated understanding of general scientific concepts.
As students progress to middle school, classes begin to take on a more focused approach and provide children with more in-depth explorations of each topic and branch of science. While most science classes are still integrated at this point, meaning educators teach multiple subjects instead of focusing solely on science, the specific focus areas generally change from grade to grade. For example, a school might use Grade 6 to develop students’ understanding of space and Earth science, with the physical sciences coming in Grade 8.
Once a science student has reached high school, they can expect to focus on more specific subjects and may even have the opportunity to choose between different science courses. Most high school students in America begin their scientific education in a biology course. Biology is a strong candidate for a freshman-year science class, partly because little to no math is involved, allowing students to balance their various courseloads. Popular topics in Grade 9 biology classes include ecology, genetics, and cellular biology.
During sophomore year of high school, many American students take chemistry. More math is involved with chemistry compared to biology, as students calculate rates of reaction and other chemical interactions. The upside for students struggling in chemistry is that, unlike biology, there are clear right and wrong answers to formulaic equations. This lets students practice as often as they need prior to an exam.
The final compulsory science course in many American high schools is physics, which is sometimes merged with earth science classes. Physics involves high-level math that helps students calculate phenomena such as motion and force. The behavior of light, electricity, and magnetism are other subjects explored in physics classes. A newer trend in some American high schools is to have students take physics their freshman year, providing a more conceptual introduction to the dicipline.
By senior year of high school, many American students have developed an affinity for a certain branch of science or have decided that science is not a subject they wish to pursue. In some cases, a student with three years of science can opt out of a senior-year science class. Whether a senior-year science class is mandatory or not, students generally have a few options, ranging from environmental science to forensic science. Additional elective science courses include astronomy and marine biology. Students also may choose to take honors or advanced placement science courses.
