High school Chemistry A-G (Semester A)

This is a year long course with Semester A and B lasting 15 weeks each. 

Discovery-based learning for highly engaged high school students! 

Each regular class session includes a hands-on lab that students work in groups to complete. These are real labs with real equipment and materials - no slime or ice cream! Students learn by doing, making predictions, collecting data and drawing conclusions based on their lab work; lab write-ups will be completed in class whenever possible. Labs will reflect key concepts in chemistry while challenging students to ask why things happen the way they do, how they relate to other areas of their lives, and how these concepts can be applied to future potential areas. As appropriate, students will use high-powered microscopes, professional measuring devices, lab chemicals, Bunsen burners, etc. Safety is a top priority. We have an eye wash station, chemical/fire blankets, locking chemical cabinet, safety goggles, etc. Each student will be required to complete a safety briefing and be "certified" to work in the lab.

Topics include: Introduction to chemistry & the scientific method • Analyzing data, measurement and uncertainty, dimensional analysis • Matter: properties, changes, mixtures, elements, compounds • Atomic structure, subatomic particles, radioactive decay • Electrons configurations, quantum theory • The periodic table, classification of elements, periodic trends • Ionic bonds, ionic compounds, metals and their properties • Covalent bonds, molecular structure, shape & naming, electronegativity & polarity • Chemical reactions, equations, classification, aqueous reactions • Mass and the mole, measuring matter, empirical and molecular formulae • Stoichiometry, calculations, limiting reactants, percent yield • States of matter, attractive forces, phase changes • Gases, gas laws, gas stoichiometry • Mixtures, solution concentration, solubility • Energy, heat, thermochemical equations, enthalpy change, spontaneity • Reaction rates, reaction mechanisms • Chemical equilibrium, equilibrium constants • Acids and bases, hydrogen ions and pH, neutralization • Oxidation and reduction, balancing redox reactions • Electrochemistry: voltaic cells, batteries, electrolysis • Hydrocarbons, alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, isomers • Substituted hydrocarbons & their reactions, other organic compound reactions, polymers • The chemistry of life: proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, metabolism • Nuclear chemistry: radiation, decay, nuclear reactions.