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Science
2025-2026
Courses in the science curriculum at WCHS are designed to:
- Develop an understanding of the science concepts that show the orderly occurrences in nature.
- Give practice in solving challenging problems through the experimental design process and scientific argumentation.
- Engage the student to think and reason in a way that will lead to logical solutions to problems.
- Students are encouraged to discuss, analyze, predict, develop skills and apply scientific concepts to problems in everyday life.
The course offerings are varied enough to be relevant to the average citizen living in a scientific world as well as to prepare students with a solid background leading to a scientific career. The courses are activity-centered and built around laboratory experiences.
- AP Biology
Students are measuring seedings in an experiment focused on how MiracleGro vs Compost affected average germination.
- AP Environmental Science
Here students are participating in data collection at Eagle Creek.
- AP Physics Algebra
Students outside in the beautiful weather experimenting with air-propelled rockets.
- Chemistry I
Students participating in a Flame Test Lab
Contact Us!
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Department Leader Whitney Shriner wshriner@warsawschools.org
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Brian Grieg Biology, Anatomy and Physiology bgrieg@warsawschools.org |
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Deanna Banes Earth Space Science, Geology, Environmental Science dbanes@warsawschools.org
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Traci Hamilton Forensics, Microbiology, Chemistry I thamilton@warsawschools.org
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Grace Bogle Physics I, AP Physics, AP Physics C gbogle@warsawschools.org
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Eric Linn Integrated Chemistry Physics elinn@warsawschools.org
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Tony Boley Biology tboley@warsawschools.org
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Elizabeth Mueller AP Biology, PLTW Human Body Systems, PLTW Medical Interventions, Chemistry I emueller@warsawschools.org
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Swati Ghanghas Biology sghanghas@warsawschools.org |
Mark Riege Chemistry I, Honors Chemistry II, AP Chemistry mriege@warsawschools.org
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Emily Gough Biology, AP Environmental Science, Zoology egough@warsawschools.org
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Loren Schaefer Earth Space Science, Meteorology, Environmental Science lschaefer@warsawschools.org
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Department Administrator Heather Graham hgraham@warsawschools.org |
Biology I: All students are required by the state of Indiana to take Biology I. This class is two semesters and touches on many subjects within the study of biology. Students will utilize the scientific method to develop an understanding about themselves, and the world around them, in order to build positive and responsible decision making skills for their futures.
Honors Biology II, Microbiology: This one semester class takes a much closer look at specific topics discussed in Biology I, with a deep focus on microorganisms. Students will continue to hone their use of the scientific method as they work collaboratively and independently to study how these organisms interact with the life around them.
Honors Biology II, Zoology: Students spend two semesters digging deeply into the processes and structures and relationships of both invertebrates and vertebrates. The scientific method, and specialized tools for dissection, allows them to apply their knowledge to questions and problems that face their personal lives and the lives of their communities.
AP Biology: This full-year Advanced Placement course covers content established by the College Board. The themes of this content include: how the evolutionary process drives life’s diversity and unity, how biological systems utilize energy and molecular foundations to function, and how living systems deal, and interact, with information essential to the processes of life. Students enrolled in this course are required to participate and pay any fees for this program. They must also sit for the AP exam in May. Fees for the 2024-2025 school year did not exceed $99, and some financial assistance may be available for qualified students.
Chemistry I: This full year course covers topic such as the different states of matter, elements, bonding and molecular relationships, acids and bases, and the behavior of gasses, including the study of thermochemistry. Students will develop their understanding by experimenting and investigating these topics in a lab setting. This is a great course for anyone considering the pursuit of a college degree in science or the medical field.
Integrated Chemistry-Physics: This class combines these two branches of science in a full-year class that covers particle theory, chemical changes, Newton’s Laws of Motion, energy, electricity, and waves. The main focus through the study of these topics is that knowledge is gained from observing the world and conducting investigations.
Honors Chemistry II: In this full-year course, students continue to examine chemical reactions in both living and nonliving materials. They’ll study literature and spend time in the lab, and out in the field, answering chemical questions and working to solve problems surrounding this science.
AP Chemistry: This full year Advanced Placement course covers content established by the College Board. The themes of this content include: matter, atomic theory and structure, chemical bonding and molecular models, nuclear chemistry, states of matter, and reactions. A good deal of this class time is spent on college-level, guided lab experiments, and students are challeneged to develop their own method for lab investigations. Students enrolled in this course are required to participate and pay any fees for this program. They must also sit for the AP exam in May. Fees for the 2024-2025 school year did not exceed $99, and some financial assistance may be available for qualified students.
Earth Space Science: This is a two-semester class that focuses on our planet and our universe. Students explore many topics related to Earth and our planet’s life such as plate tectonics, rocks and minerals, erosion, water, weather, and climate. Topics also cover our solar system and splace exploration. They will utilize many different learning opportunities like reading articles, watching videos, experiencing interactive presentations, and building projects.
Honors Earth Space Science II: An extended study of Earth Space Science, this full year course continues covering content with many learning opportunities like lectures, videos, labs, projects, and articles. Students will dive deeper into the five main branches of this science by continuing their study of the earth and all its elements and natural events. They’ll also investigate resource conservation. Students don’t just stay earthbound, however, these lessons also explore more astronomical topics like the moon and sun, constellations, and galaxies. In the past, these students have taken a field trip to the Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis.
Environmental Science: An interdisciplinary course, Environmental Science, covers biology, earth science, chemistry, and other sciences over a full year of study. Students seriously focus on studying environmental systems, flow of matter and energy, natural disasters, and environmental policies. There are a variety of independent projects in an effort to understand the complex national and global environment.
AP Environmental Science: This full year Advanced Placement course covers content established by the College Board and is equivalent to an introductory college course in this topic. It is also interdisciplinary and embraces a very wide range of topics from geology, biology, chemistry, and geography. Lab and field work are a massive part of this class as students work to evaluate and understand natural and man-made environmental problems. Students enrolled in this course are required to participate and pay any fees for this program. They must also sit for the AP exam in May. Fees for the 2024-2025 school year did not exceed $99, and some financial assistance may be available for qualified students.
Meteorology: The course is a one-semester study of the weather. Students will encounter lectures, videos, labs, articles, and projects discussing current and past weather events. Current weather maps, the atmosphere, wind, moisture and precipitation, storms, pollution, and forecasting are all important topics to this branch of science.
Geology: Students will explore the topics of fossils, age dating, the geologic time scale, maps, plate tectonics and many others in this one-semester class. They’ll also learn about mineral and energy resources and different career fields as the emphasize Indiana’s geological history.
Forensics: Also a one-semester class, Forensics covers topics related to crime scenes. Students will delve into physical evidence, drug screening and toxicology, along with the collection and analysis of trace evidence. Pathology, anthropology, and entomology are also explored as they relate to death investigations.
Honors Anatomy and Physiology: This full-year class studies the many structures of the human body. Students will utilize thorough instruction and lab activities to investigate how everything in the body works together. The content from this course is applicable to all fields releated to health and medicine. Fast-paced and serious, this class is an excellent foundation for a potential career in the medical field.