Science Department

Curriculum Director of Science Mrs. Karen K. Lazar

Science Department Staff

The aims of the Science Department at Lawrence High School are:
- to instruct students in the scientific method of problem solving.
- to develop students' abilities for critical thinking, analysis and decision-making.
- to prepare students for positions of responsibility in our community and society.

Our course offerings are designed to satisfy both college and non-college bound students. Most science courses have double laboratory periods. A Regents sequence in Science requires that three Science courses be successfully completed by passing the respective Regents exams and satisfying the NYS Laboratory Requirement. To be eligible for taking a Science Regents Exam, each student must prepare satisfactorily written reports of these lab experiences. Please review the science lab policy that follows. Students must successfully complete two years of science to graduate high school.

We offer a comprehensive science program for all students. complete with a well developed, correlated lab program which provides hands-on learning experiences and applications.

Coursework in Earth Science, Living Environment (Biology), Chemistry, and Physics is available for students at the Honors and Regents levels. Students may then select Advanced Placement courses in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Psychology, and Physics. Additional elective courses for college credit are offered in Anatomy & Physiology and Forensic Science. Other electives are offered in Marine Biology and Oceanography, Forensic Science, and Environmental Science. We also continue our involvement with Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories to provide opportunities for qualifying students and teachers to learn about the most current DNA Science techniques.

We are proud of our outstanding and highly regarded Student Science Research Program. Our program has received national recognition that has resulted from Lawrence’s history of producing both Intel finalists as well as semi-finalists. This program involves project development for our 9th grade students, often based upon their work as Middle School Science Researchers in our Mentor Program. Students continue with their research as 10th, 11th, and 12th graders, ultimately leading to their nomination to the Intel Science Talent Search as 12th graders. Under the guidance of their Project Advisor, these students will have the opportunity to enter their projects in the Long Island and New York State Science Congresses, Intel Science Talent Search, and many other Science competitions sponsored by National, State, and local science associations.

RECOMMENDATIONS AND SELECTION PROCESS FOR SCIENCE HONORS AND AP COURSES
1. Science teachers identify students in their present classes with a 92 test average or better for the 1st two marking periods. Provided these students meet the necessary co-requisites or prerequisites, Honors/AP recommendations are made for each student by their Science teacher and then submitted to the Director.

2. The Director correlates their Math* grades for the first two marking periods. Provided they are also 92 or higher (90 or better for Honors courses), these names are then forwarded to Guidance with the appropriate course recommendations prior to the individual scheduling meetings held by counselors with each of their students.

3. Students whose test grades in Science and Math approach 90 are given the following opportunity: The Director reviews the transcript of each of these students indicating all their Science and Math grades since 9th grade. If they average 90 or better, they receive a departmental recommendation. In cases, where there is still doubt, the Director discusses the situation with the Honors or AP teacher.

High School Extra Help - 2008-2009