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Science
The CJHS Science Department challenges students to explore the world around them in a traditional biology, chemistry, and physics program. All CJHS students are required to complete three years of science, and most choose to continue on for a fourth year. CJHS science classes focus on scientific literacy, inquiry, and research techniques, using hands-on activities and state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. Whether in the classroom or on the basketball court, CJHS students are taught to apply the principles they are learning to phenomena in their everyday lives.
The CJHS science program seeks to bring science outside the classroom whenever possible. Our students participate in citywide and national science and engineering competitions. They engage in independent research and present their findings in poster sessions and demonstrations. Excitement runs high at yearly bridge-building competitions, egg drop contests, biology poster sessions, and artistic displays of chemistry "moles." Typical assignments involve students measuring their own blood pressure, evaluating the actual calorie content of their favorite snack food, and measuring the coefficient of friction provided by their sneakers. CJHS teachers seek to lead by example, spreading the notion that science is relevant to everyone's lives-and what's more, it is downright cool!
Exposing students to the best that high school research has to offer, the CJHS science labs incorporate classic experiments with the latest technology. Some of the highlights of our lab program include gel electrophoresis in biology, spectrophotometry in chemistry, and the photoelectric effect in physics. CJHS students learn to collect data on LabPro sensors, as well as data analysis techniques on Graphical Analysis and Microsoft Excel.
CJHS offers a comprehensive four year science program guided by the following objectives:
Development of scientific literacy
Commitment to the experimental process
Expertise with lab techniques and technology
Expertise with mathematical formulas and data analysis methods
Scientific writing via reports, poster sessions, and other presentation formats
Scientific presentation skills to both scientific and general audiences
All freshmen begin together with biology, a molecular-based curriculum incorporating units on cellular structures, plant life, human systems, and basic genetics. In a heterogeneous environment, students learn lab techniques and basic scientific skills that will prepare them for more advanced work.
Chemistry, the next course in the sequence, includes the behavior of atoms and molecules, gas laws, thermochemistry, and acid/base reactions. At this point students may choose the honors option, which incorporates more extensive laboratory experience. In chemistry, students refine their experimental techniques and data analysis, writing more extensive observations and lab reports.
Junior physics begins with a semester of mechanics, then continues on with electricity and magnetism, sound waves, and electromagnetic wave behavior. Again, students interested in more intensive mathematical content may choose the honors option. Physics labs include more computer simulations and open-ended laboratory investigations, as well as graphical analysis techniques; students are also given the opportunity to engage in independent research on topics of their choice. The climax of this program is the annual CJHS Physics Expo, where students stage their films, demonstrations, and presentations to inform and amaze their friends and family.
Students have a variety of choices for their fourth year of science. They may take a second year of life science with Human Anatomy and Physiology or a second year of physical science with Astronomy and Modern Physics. CJHS also offers AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and the calculus-based Physics C. Course offerings vary from year to year.
Interest in science runs high through all four years at CJHS. Students are proud of their many achievements and of the insights they have developed into the scientific process and the world around them. Enrollment is high in AP science courses, as are top scores on the respective exams. Scientific topics come up in Hebrew, math, and history classes. CJHS students' level of enthusiasm about science is a testament to the quality of our program.
Did You Know:
CJHS participates in QuarkNet, a national organization of high schools doing cosmic ray research in conjunction with local universities and national laboratories. The CJHS delegation has just finished work on our own cosmic ray detector and our students are set to start calibrating it and running experiments this year!
CJHS students regularly participate in the National Chemistry Olympiad. This year's contestants won honors and high honors status, and our champion was invited to the USNCO study camp.
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