Science Bowl Preparation (Semester)

This multi-week course will be a fast-paced examination of topics in physical science, chemistry, biology and ecology.  The material will be drawn from Hewitt Physical Science, Zumdahl Chemistry, Campbell Biology, Lutgens Earth Science and Giancoli Physics textbooks and other sources.  Access to these textbooks is not required, but recommended.

This class was designed to help prepare those who would like to enter the National Science Bowl or related competitions.  It would also be useful as a general science curriculum for homeschoolers or those seeking afterschool enrichment for high school or honors science.

I will present the information in PowerPoint format, allow time for questions and discussion and end the class with an online quiz game.

Week 1:  Foundations in Science
The first week will be an overview of SI units, measurements, concepts of theories, hypotheses & scientific methods, and understanding basic concepts like matter.  

Week 2:  Motion 
This week we will examine circular and linear motion concepts.  This will include energy, work, momentum, and vectors. We will also focus on Newton's Laws.  

Week 3:  Atomic Structure 
This week we will focus on the atom and its components.  We will discuss the progression of atomic theory.  We will also discuss the periodic table.  

Week 4:  Electricity 
This week we will focus on electricity:  charges, voltage, current, conductors, circuits, and power.  

Week 5:  Waves 
This week we will discuss different types of waves.  We will also investigate magnetism and electromagnetism.  

Week 6: Astrophysics 
This week we will discuss our solar system and beyond.  

Week 7:  Relativity and the Big Bang 
We will discuss special and general relativity, space-time, dark matter, dark energy, and the Big Bang.  

Week 8:  Geologic Time, Atmosphere and Hydrosphere 
This week we will review the formation of earth structures, the atmosphere and hydrosphere over time.   

Week 9:  Rocks and Plate Tectonics
The focus will be the formation of different types of rocks, Earth's core, mantle and crust, plate tectonics, earthquakes, and volcanoes.  

Week 10:  Weather 
We will discuss heating and motion in the atmosphere, clouds, driving forces of weather and the resulting weather patterns.   

Week 11:  Biomolecules 
We will discuss the molecular components of life.  We will focus on the importance of water and carbon and examine biomolecules, I will introduce carbohydrates, nucleic acids, amino acids, and lipids. 

Week 12:  The Cell 
We will discuss the structure and function of cells and their components.  We will compare prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and discuss plants, multicellular and unicellular animal cells, and bacteria.  

Week 13:   Cell Function
This week we will discuss mitosis, meiosis, cellular metabolism & respiration, and cell signaling.  

Week 14:  Gene Expression & Inheritance 
This week we will discuss chromosomes, alleles, genes, genotype, phenotype, and gene expression.  We will examine Mendelian genetics and touch on Non-Mendelian genetics.  

Week 15:  Evolution 
We will discuss Darwin's theories, evolution and the genome, and phylogeny.  

Week 16:  Ecology 
This week we will examine ecosystems, the food web, and conservation.  

Week 17:  Animal Diversity 
We will discuss different types of animals.  We will look at invertebrate and vertebrate body plans and functions.  

Week 18:  Animal Form and Function  
This week we will continue with animal forms and discuss development, behavior, and nutrition.  

Week 19:  Animal Anatomy and Physiology 
We will discuss the various body systems with a focus on circulation & gas exchange, immunology, endocrinology, and sensory motor systems. 

Week 20:  Plants 
We will discuss different types of plants, their structure, growth, and nutrition.  

Week 21:  States of Matter  
The focus this week will be states of matter and their transitions.  We will also introduce fluid mechanics. 

Week 22:   Chemical Bonding 
We will discuss types of chemical bonds.  We will examine chemical and physical properties of compounds and mixtures.  

Week 23:  Stoichiometry 
We will discuss reaction types and balance chemical equations.  We will examine converting units using a balanced chemical equation.  

Week 24: Acids and Bases 
This week we will discuss acids and bases.  We will also examine equilibrium and solubility.  

Week 25:  Thermodynamics 
We will discuss heat, exothermic and endothermic reactions, heat of reaction, entropy, Gibbs Free Energy, and reaction kinetics.