Physical Science

Physical Science is an introduction to the scientific process. This class will cover topics in scientific thinking and problem solving, the structure of matter, energy, motion, the forces of nature, and connections to the local environment.

This year-long course is required for graduation. Biology is the study of life and living organisms, as well as the structures and processes that shape life. There will be several labs, group activities, and presentations throughout the course. Students will conduct several lab investigations and field studies during each semester and research, design, and write up two major student investigations. Students in Biology will be working Alaska State Science Standards A, B, C, and D.

Chemistry, year-long science elective, introduces students to the chemical nature of matter, including reactions that take place in everyday life, and the atomic theory . Emphasis is placed on developing the process skills of science and solving chemical problems using knowledge of basic algebra and unit analysis. Current issues relating to chemistry and the impact chemistry has on daily lives will be explored. Laboratory investigations will be an important component of the class. This course addresses Alaska State Science Standards A and B of Chemistry content.

Physics, year-long science elective, is the basis of all other sciences and is an accumulation of nature's rules. It deals with natural laws and why things do what they do. If you spread your arms way apart why is it so hard to do a pull up? Have you ever wondered why a cement boat floats? If you left on a spaceship and went close to the speed of light, why when you come back would everyone you knew have died of old age and you aren’t much older? These are the kinds of questions Physics answers. The class is conceptual- and lab-based, rather than heavily math-oriented.

Alaska Natural Science (Elective credit)

Alaska Natural Science is a year long course for which students receive elective credit; it fulfills the requirement for the third year of science at Craig Schools. The class is designed to provide students interested in education and the visitor industry with opportunities to learn accurate, interesting information about the natural history and resources of Alaska. The course meets the requirements for the Alaska Naturalist School-to-Work Program sponsored by the University of Alaska Southeast Sitka Campus.

Marine biology is a full year science elective which examines the diversity of marine organisms and their environment, with an emphasis on the study of local species. Students gain an understanding of the local marine environment through numerous lab and field based projects, including monthly plankton tows and maintenance of a classroom aquarium.