Science Department
The Pius X Science program provides a variety of laboratory and inquiry-based courses designed to promote critical thinking and reasoning skills, as well as problem solving abilities and scientific literacy. The Science department aims to increase understanding of our natural environment and our complex technological and medical world to produce more informed citizens and to provide a sound foundation for students who want to pursue further study in science. The science curriculum provides a basic background in biology, chemistry, and physics, with opportunities for advanced studies in these areas.
College-bound students are urged to take biology, chemistry, and physics. Juniors and seniors may enroll for more than one science course.
Courses
Physical Science
Biology
Chemistry
Earth, Energy and Environment
Physics
Accelerated Physics
Anatomy and Physiology
AP Environmental Science
Advanced Chemistry
AP Biology
AP Physics (PACE)
Science Teachers
Stories from Science classes
Machines that make sandwiches using 20 steps
The annual Machine Contest at Pius X – involving students in the AP Physics (PACE) and Accelerated Physics classes – featured six machines built over multiple weeks, with planning lasting more than two months.
Picking up energy with golf-ball drop lab
Students in Kayla Boellstorff’s Physical Science class were measuring kinetic and potential energy of a golf ball using different heights. Kinetic energy is the energy
Real wounds, and learning, in this gory lesson
NOTE: Some of these images may be disturbing to the eye. No students were harmed during this school lab lesson. Using dye, glue, tissue, coffee
The skin and how it heals, in Anatomy class
Anatomy & Physiology students are learning all about the integumentary system (the skin) and how it heals. Teacher Jenna Steenson invited Christopher Darst, who works