Science
Middle School
The middle school science program sets the foundation for high school science by providing an overview of core sciences. Sixth graders study geology, meteorology, and ecology. Seventh and eighth graders complete a two-year interdisciplinary course covering physics, chemistry, biology and earth science. Students use the scientific method to build their knowledge based on hands-on activities and experiments. Each student in a middle school science course is expected to complete a project for the annual Science Fair working with teachers in class and with an outside mentor who provides guidance and assistance for their project.
High School
The high school science program’s foundation is a three-course sequence starting with physics, followed by chemistry, and concluding with biology. This non-traditional sequence follows the recent National Science Foundation recommendation. It allows the basic concepts of physics, such as forces and energy, to provide a base for the more abstract study of chemistry. Knowledge of chemistry is important to the study of biology. Each student in a biology course completes a project for the Science Fair. Over the years, Kirby students have represented the school with many fine projects at county, state and international science fairs.
Once basic courses are completed, a variety of elective and AP courses are available to students. Students who wish to take more than one of these electives or AP classes may petition to simultaneously enroll in two basic courses in their ninth or tenth grade year.
To see a complete listing of course descriptions please use the Curriculum Catalog.