Science - Seattle Academy
Source: http://www.seattleacademy.org/academics/our-curriculum/science
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:12
Science - Seattle Academy
The Hub
Science
The Science Department at Seattle Academy offers a curriculum grounded in scientific reasoning across multiple disciplines. We strive to cultivate graduates who are not only knowledgeable about core scientific principles but also equipped to investigate and solve problems using creativity, logic, technology, and collaboration, all while upholding a commitment to ethics and integrity. At the heart of our philosophy is the belief that science is a distinct way of understanding the world, one that incorporates methods including: hypothesis testing, observational studies, qualitative research, modeling, simulations, and comparative analysis. Students engage in this process of inquiry by combining logical reasoning with imaginative thinking, applying a canon of facts and observations to draw conclusions while exploring innovative experiments and diverse perspectives.
MEET THE SCIENCE FACULTY
Middle School
Seattle Academy Middle School science classes emphasize hands-on experiments, interactive modeling, and project-based learning as students journey through science topics. Our Middle School science program emphasizes students' deeper understanding and intuition about science rather than rote memorization. In
Science 6
, students examine questions about the natural world and learn what it means to be a steward to their environment. In
Science 7
, students will focus on Physical, Earth, and Space Sciences, while building students’ skills in modeling, investigation and analysis, evidence-based explanation, problem-solving, and collaboration. In
Science 8
, students explore life sciences culminating with a student-directed investigation into a topic and a school-wide symposium in which students exchange their results and ideas to the community.
MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM GUIDE
Symposium
In this capstone project, our 8th graders use the scientific method to conduct research and experiments to investigate a variety of topics, which range from the effects of screen time on sleep quality to the prevalence of microplastics in local environments, as well as broader issues like the pink tax and and climate change.
Upper School
Our program mirrors the collaborative and rigorous methods of the global scientific community, emphasizing teamwork, individual research, and active peer review. The department offers a sequential curriculum: Environmental Science in
9th grade
, Chemistry or Concept Chemistry in
10th grade
, Biology or Honors Biology in
11th grade
, and Honors Physics or a selection of trimester electives in
12th grade
. Through this approach, we inspire students to see science as a lifelong skill, equipping them to engage with the world as curious, capable, and conscientious scientific thinkers.
Upper School Curriculum Guide
Wastewater Mitigation
Our 10th grade chemistry Wastewater Mitigation Project emphasizes acid and base chemistry in a historical case study of industrial wastewater emissions into the Duwamish river in previously segregated Seattle. The project challenges students to use calculations and laboratory explorations to solve a complex problem with important environmental justice ramifications.
Process
Emulate the methods used to conduct science in the global community, including close collaboration, individual research, and active peer review
Collaboration
Work with peers, faculty, and others to achieve ends which incorporate diverse perspectives.
Technology
Use a variety of existing and emerging technologies for data collection, analysis, and presentation.
Communication
Share research and results effectively to peers, faculty, parents, and community members.
Originality
Express learning in creative formulations original to the student, while properly crediting the work of others.
Technique
Apply lab and field techniques to answer questions in novel ways.
Scientific Community
See themselves as active community members and global citizens with a responsibility to apply their knowledge and make connections through projects, field trips, and clubs.
Do you teach computer science in the science curriculum?
What lab skills are practiced in SAAS science classes?
If my child did not have science in elementary school, will they be ready for middle school science at SAAS?
What options are there for advanced students?
Why do you teach what you teach?
Computational thinking/AI is an essential skill all scientists and engineers use. Solving problems, using mathematics, and applying quantitative skills to data analysis are all practiced in science classes. In addition to our science curriculum, students take exciting
Computational Thinking/AI
courses in 6th and 8th grades and in the Upper School.
We are fortunate to have state-of-the-art equipment for exploration of a variety of topics. Students at each grade level practice lab skills ranging from measuring liquid volume to using high-quality microscopic equipment in the context of an engaging, content-rich curriculum appropriate to their age level.
Students matriculate to SAAS from a wide variety of backgrounds. We do our best to meet each student at the level when they enter, using differentiation and universal design to think carefully about addressing all experiences in the classroom.
Many students who love science are eager for more challenge. While there are many ways of providing this, all provide structure for students to grow and to pursue personal interests without adding “busy work.” We intentionally do not track middle school science because we believe any student is able to stretch and enrich their learning through challenge assignments should they so choose.
The SAAS Middle School science faculty want to provide students with essential scientific skills in the context of content that will serve them throughout their high school careers and their future lives as scientific citizens. We balance what interests students with the necessary exposure to a wide variety of topics in a challenging and engaging format.
I’ve already taken (insert subject matter here) in Middle School, do I need to take it again? I’ve taken high school level classes already, can I just skip 9th grade science?
Are science electives available to all high school students or just upper classmen?
Do you offer honors or AP classes?
In short, we’ve designed our classes, and especially our 9th grade Environmental Science class, to engage our students and to meet their needs in a variety of areas. Not only do we believe that the content (climate and water science, engineering, and physics) is important, the structure of the class and nature of the projects develops additional science and social skills.
Many of our science elective classes are open to 9th and 10th grade students although some have prerequisites. One of our goals as a department is to build enthusiasm among all students for science and to engage and challenge students in a variety of different subject areas. Elective science classes allow us to achieve that goal.
We do not offer AP classes at Seattle Academy, but we do offer honors classes beginning in the 11th grade year. This is communicated to colleges which appreciate this choice. We offer both standard and honors college preparatory Biology classes. Advanced Chemistry is a year-long, honors level elective class. All Physics classes, both algebra- and calculus-based, are considered honors classes.
The Hub
Science
The Science Department at Seattle Academy offers a curriculum grounded in scientific reasoning across multiple disciplines. We strive to cultivate graduates who are not only knowledgeable about core scientific principles but also equipped to investigate and solve problems using creativity, logic, technology, and collaboration, all while upholding a commitment to ethics and integrity. At the heart of our philosophy is the belief that science is a distinct way of understanding the world, one that incorporates methods including: hypothesis testing, observational studies, qualitative research, modeling, simulations, and comparative analysis. Students engage in this process of inquiry by combining logical reasoning with imaginative thinking, applying a canon of facts and observations to draw conclusions while exploring innovative experiments and diverse perspectives.
MEET THE SCIENCE FACULTY
Middle School
Seattle Academy Middle School science classes emphasize hands-on experiments, interactive modeling, and project-based learning as students journey through science topics. Our Middle School science program emphasizes students' deeper understanding and intuition about science rather than rote memorization. In
Science 6
, students examine questions about the natural world and learn what it means to be a steward to their environment. In
Science 7
, students will focus on Physical, Earth, and Space Sciences, while building students’ skills in modeling, investigation and analysis, evidence-based explanation, problem-solving, and collaboration. In
Science 8
, students explore life sciences culminating with a student-directed investigation into a topic and a school-wide symposium in which students exchange their results and ideas to the community.
MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM GUIDE
Symposium
In this capstone project, our 8th graders use the scientific method to conduct research and experiments to investigate a variety of topics, which range from the effects of screen time on sleep quality to the prevalence of microplastics in local environments, as well as broader issues like the pink tax and and climate change.
Upper School
Our program mirrors the collaborative and rigorous methods of the global scientific community, emphasizing teamwork, individual research, and active peer review. The department offers a sequential curriculum: Environmental Science in
9th grade
, Chemistry or Concept Chemistry in
10th grade
, Biology or Honors Biology in
11th grade
, and Honors Physics or a selection of trimester electives in
12th grade
. Through this approach, we inspire students to see science as a lifelong skill, equipping them to engage with the world as curious, capable, and conscientious scientific thinkers.
Upper School Curriculum Guide
Wastewater Mitigation
Our 10th grade chemistry Wastewater Mitigation Project emphasizes acid and base chemistry in a historical case study of industrial wastewater emissions into the Duwamish river in previously segregated Seattle. The project challenges students to use calculations and laboratory explorations to solve a complex problem with important environmental justice ramifications.
Process
Emulate the methods used to conduct science in the global community, including close collaboration, individual research, and active peer review
Collaboration
Work with peers, faculty, and others to achieve ends which incorporate diverse perspectives.
Technology
Use a variety of existing and emerging technologies for data collection, analysis, and presentation.
Communication
Share research and results effectively to peers, faculty, parents, and community members.
Originality
Express learning in creative formulations original to the student, while properly crediting the work of others.
Technique
Apply lab and field techniques to answer questions in novel ways.
Scientific Community
See themselves as active community members and global citizens with a responsibility to apply their knowledge and make connections through projects, field trips, and clubs.
Do you teach computer science in the science curriculum?
What lab skills are practiced in SAAS science classes?
If my child did not have science in elementary school, will they be ready for middle school science at SAAS?
What options are there for advanced students?
Why do you teach what you teach?
Computational thinking/AI is an essential skill all scientists and engineers use. Solving problems, using mathematics, and applying quantitative skills to data analysis are all practiced in science classes. In addition to our science curriculum, students take exciting
Computational Thinking/AI
courses in 6th and 8th grades and in the Upper School.
We are fortunate to have state-of-the-art equipment for exploration of a variety of topics. Students at each grade level practice lab skills ranging from measuring liquid volume to using high-quality microscopic equipment in the context of an engaging, content-rich curriculum appropriate to their age level.
Students matriculate to SAAS from a wide variety of backgrounds. We do our best to meet each student at the level when they enter, using differentiation and universal design to think carefully about addressing all experiences in the classroom.
Many students who love science are eager for more challenge. While there are many ways of providing this, all provide structure for students to grow and to pursue personal interests without adding “busy work.” We intentionally do not track middle school science because we believe any student is able to stretch and enrich their learning through challenge assignments should they so choose.
The SAAS Middle School science faculty want to provide students with essential scientific skills in the context of content that will serve them throughout their high school careers and their future lives as scientific citizens. We balance what interests students with the necessary exposure to a wide variety of topics in a challenging and engaging format.
I’ve already taken (insert subject matter here) in Middle School, do I need to take it again? I’ve taken high school level classes already, can I just skip 9th grade science?
Are science electives available to all high school students or just upper classmen?
Do you offer honors or AP classes?
In short, we’ve designed our classes, and especially our 9th grade Environmental Science class, to engage our students and to meet their needs in a variety of areas. Not only do we believe that the content (climate and water science, engineering, and physics) is important, the structure of the class and nature of the projects develops additional science and social skills.
Many of our science elective classes are open to 9th and 10th grade students although some have prerequisites. One of our goals as a department is to build enthusiasm among all students for science and to engage and challenge students in a variety of different subject areas. Elective science classes allow us to achieve that goal.
We do not offer AP classes at Seattle Academy, but we do offer honors classes beginning in the 11th grade year. This is communicated to colleges which appreciate this choice. We offer both standard and honors college preparatory Biology classes. Advanced Chemistry is a year-long, honors level elective class. All Physics classes, both algebra- and calculus-based, are considered honors classes.