About
To participate fully in society, citizens require knowledge of scientific issues and an understanding of how those issues relate to their lives. People who are broadly educated and who also have special expertise in the sciences are vital to the well-being of our planet and its inhabitants. The science program is focused around four major goals.
In fulfilling the science requirement, Phillips Academy students should demonstrate:
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They can do science. A student should pose testable questions and formulate hypotheses; design and conduct experiments; organize, analyze, and interpret results and information; conceptualize and reason through problems, both qualitatively and quantitatively; and articulate and present clearly and accurately ideas, results, and analysis in an appropriately selected format.
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They are scientifically literate. A student should think clearly and critically about major issues relating to science; gain appreciation of and experience with the natural world; perceive the relevance of science to everyday life, including global environmental issues; and recognize the connections and interdependence among the traditional branches of science and between science and other fields.
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They participate comfortably and fully in an inclusive community of learners. Students and teachers should work effectively with persons of varied backgrounds, interests, and abilities in scientific collaboration, perceive the needs of the individual, team, or community, and work to meet those needs.
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They accept responsibility for the process of personal education. A student should play an active role in discussions, experiments, and decisions; ask questions, question answers, and maintain an independence of thought while engaged in learning; recognize that school is a piece of the continuum of lifelong learning, for science is a rapidly evolving field; and, hence, acquire skills that will allow one to learn beyond the halls of academia.
The diploma requirement in science is two year-long science courses. A strong program will include some experience in biology, chemistry, and physics. Most four-year students take biology in ninth grade, followed by chemistry in 10th grade; however, individual interests, backgrounds, and abilities may indicate other appropriate sequences.
The division of natural sciences offers a variety of introductory and advanced courses, year-long and term-contained in biology, chemistry, physics, and interdisciplinary fields. Staffing of yearlong courses is the first priority and students who wish to take a full year of science can be so guaranteed only by taking a yearlong course. Enrollment in term-contained courses is limited and determined by seniority.