The Goals for Phillips Academy's
Science Program

(Originally adopted by the Science Division in September 1994, updated and reaffirmed January 2005)

In fulfilling the science requirement, Phillips Academy students should demonstrate that they

1. 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; articulate and present clearly and accurately ideas, results and analysis in an appropriately selected format.

2. 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; recognize the connections and interdependence among the traditional branches of science and between science and other fields.

3. 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.

4. accept responsibility for the process of personal education. A student should play an active role in discussions, experiments, 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 life-long learning for science is a rapidly evolving field; and hence, acquire skills that will allow one to learn beyond the halls of academia.