I don't want to get hung up on science sequence but...

[Carrie12345]

Dd is taking an awesome lab skills course this year.  It's integrated physical, bio, chem, and physics.  30 class hours, plus optional "field trip" labs like dissections, roller coasters, etc., plus 60-120hrs of homework.  I did grab Tillery's Integrated Science text for additional reference.  The (co-op) course description quantifies it as "either 1 credit elective science or 'with lab' designation for two of the following sciences: physical science, biology, chemistry, and physics."

 

I'm trying to match her somewhat eclectic intended plan to the more traditional expectations on paper.  Right now, that looks like:

 

9th: above course

10th: Biology (undecided level of intensity)

11th: AP Environmental Science (done in one semester, away from home)

12th: Chemistry (also undecided)

 

and she intends to continue environmental ed all 4 years, get initial and continuing fire and HAZMAT training, and is considering basic EMT (2-4 months of study, depending on the program.)

 

Between cores, electives, and activities, she'll be showing a strong science background if she does even part of what she's setting out to do.

 

Right now, I'm just trying to decide what to call, how to credit, and how to define 9th grade science.  I'm leaning toward keeping it as 1 credit "Lab Skills" and calling it good.  I'm just nervous about how that might be interpreted down the line.  Opinions?

[Arcadia]

Why not call it Integrated Science and give a 1 credit for it. Integrated science is still offered as a high school course in schools so it won't be odd.

 

E.g from a California school. 10 credit = normal 1 credit for California

https://www.aptoshs.net/3110

[JanetC]

Integrated Life and Physical Science Laboratory

Edited April 29, 2016 by JanetC

[Carrie12345]

Why not call it Integrated Science and give a 1 credit for it. Integrated science is still offered as a high school course in schools so it won't be odd.

 

E.g from a California school. 10 credit = normal 1 credit for California

https://www.aptoshs.net/3110

 

I'm not familiar with it as an option, so I didn't even consider checking my district site :toetap05: which, it turns out, offers Integrated Science for 12th graders. I was worried it would be mistaken for a more remedial science course.  The college Integrated Science text we have states it's for "non-science majors" while Princeton calls Integrated Science "intended for students considering a career in science."

 

I suppose I shouldn't feel too stupid for being confused, myself!

 

I have no idea what "Does not satisfy any UC/CSU "A-G" Requirement" means.  Should I???

[Arcadia]

I have no idea what "Does not satisfy any UC/CSU "A-G" Requirement" means. Should I???

Not unless you are a California resident applying to state universities :)

 

As for the confusion on integrated science, there are just so many levels of depth. I had integrated science for 7th/8th grade. There are high schools having integrated science for all four years. Then universities have integrated science.

 

It is kind of similar to bio having life science, bio, honors bio, AP bio, dual enrollment bio.

[GoodGrief]

With my older daughter we had some rather creative sounding course names, and from that college app experience I learned that it is generally easier to  keep things simple and as close to standard high school course names as possible; less explaining, I suppose :-) YMMV, of course, and it depends on her goals and where you are applying, if college is the plan. My oldest college-app guinea pig daughter DID end up in a fine place for her, despite our funky transcript :-)

 

I'd be tempted to get a physics course onto her transcript somehow, if she is thinking about a STEM field. If she is not, then I think Integrated Science works. :-)

 

[JanetC]

You can have a short name on the transcript, then in the course description make it clear that it was a rigorous lab science class.