2570.1 Scientific Investigations (AM)
5 units	T/F, 8:30-12:00	Staff	$490
FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE COMPLETED GRADE 7 OR 8. Take a little chemistry, mix in some biology, add a drop of social science, and what do you get? A class that introduces students to what it means to be a scientist. More than just Bunsen burners and microscopes, this class will help students to think like scientists and to approach questions like they do. To begin the class, students will learn about the inquiry cycle and the scientific method that scientists follow when they conduct their research. Students will then come up with their own questions for research, develop a few hypotheses, design their investigation and experiments, analyze their data, and finally present their findings and conclusions. Throughout the class, students will engage in a number of hands-on activities and labs that will investigate questions such as: Why do we breathe? What gives fireworks their color? Are you fit? What's the best paper towel? What's new in science? From these projects and investigations, students will gain a deeper understanding of science and the scientific method. Homework per class meeting: 3-4 hours

2570.2 Scientific Investigations (PM)
5 units	T/F, 1:00-4:30	Staff	$490
(Same as Course #2570.1, except for the schedule.)

2571 Environmental Science
5 units	M/Th, 8:30-12:00	Lance Powell	$460
FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE COMPLETED GRADE 8 AND UP. Roll up your sleeves! An actual garden will serve as our laboratory to study the air, water, soil, and life, and to answer questions on how plants grow, how animals live, and how what we do helps or hinders life. In this course, students will conduct experiments and research to learn about the interdependence of the earthÕs systems. Through hands-on fieldwork, they will see how biology, geology, chemistry, and physics intersect and impact the environmental world around us. The course will examine global issues by working at a local level: environmental quality and pollution, population, natural resources, and recyclables and trash. Students will also explore and discuss the societal implications of scientific phenomena. In the final project, they will probe and analyze a topic to further their understanding of the fundamental principles and concepts of environmental science. Homework per class meeting: 4-6 hours

2572 Introduction to Engineering
5 units	M/Th, 1:00-4:30	Matt Pickett	$500
FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE COMPLETED GRADE 8 AND UP. This course is designed to give students an overview of the diverse field of engineering disciplines in order to find out what engineers actually do. Students will practice their own engineering skills, finding out how things work in the real world through various projects, hands-on activities, and a field trip or two. The course emphasizes creative and analytical problem solving, hands-on building activities, design, and teamwork. Homework per class meeting: 3-4 hours

2573.1 Introduction to Chemistry (AM)
5 units	M/Th, 8:30-12:00	Chris DeJong	$490
Throughout this course the laboratory activities and discussions will focus on how chemists describe matter and its changes within the context of alchemy and early chemists. Understanding the periodic table, the particulate nature of matter, ionic compounds, and solution chemistry will provide the basis for students to think about the world in terms of particles and their interactions. This course provides a grounding in scientific principles which will prepare students to continue on to a high school chemistry class. Homework per class meeting: 4-6 hours Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra I.

2573.2 Introduction to Chemistry (PM)
5 units	M/Th, 1:00-4:30	Chris DeJong	$490
(Same as Course #2573.1, except for the schedule.)

2574.1 Robotics (AM)
5 units	M/Th, 8:30-12:00	Morgan Curley	$490
Robotics is a collaborative, hands-on, project-based class. Students will work in teams throughout this course. By building and programming robots capable of manuevering around obstacles, interacting with their environment, and replicating animal behavior, students will explore basic concepts in robotics. Through various activities and assignments, students will learn how robotics is an interdisciplinary field that brings together various branches of engineering, computer science, physics, and biology. Note: Students will be required to purchase Lego Mindstorms programmable robots (approximately $225, not covered by financial aid or materials fees). No prior experience with programming is necessary. Prerequisite: Completion of Algebra 1 is required; Geometry is recommended. Homework per class meeting: 4-6 hours

2574.2 Robotics (PM)
5 units	M/Th, 1:00-4:30	Morgan Curley	$490
(Same as Course #2574.1, except for the schedule.)

2575 Dynamic Physics
5 units	T/F, 8:30-12:00	Thomas Philip	$490
From rainbows to rockets, and magnetism to machines, students will attempt to understand how the universe works through physics. In this course, they will develop a strong conceptual understanding of topics in physics that include mechanics, thermodynamics, optics, and electromagnetism. The class will investigate these topics through hands-on activities and develop skills that will serve as a strong foundation for students planning on continuing to higher level physics. Most importantly, students will begin to appreciate physics in describing the universe and in its applications. Homework per class meeting: 4-6 hours Prerequisites: Successful completion of Algebra 1 and Geometry.

2577 Intensive Lab Chemistry
5 units	M/Th, 8:30-12:00	Jennifer Claesgens	$490
This course is intended for students who have taken high school Chemistry and wish to deepen their knowledge. In this intensive laboratory course, students will learn to conduct and explain the demonstrations ordinarily performed by chemistry teachers. Laboratory activities and discussions will focus on how chemists can control the type of reactions that occur--everything from color changes to explosions! During the course, students will investigate combustion reactions, thermodynamics, reaction rates, and equilibrium and acid-base equilibria. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra I and one year of high school Chemistry. Homework per class meeting: 4-6 hours

2579 Advanced Placement Biology
10 units	MWF, 8:30-4:30	G. Martinez and S. Sjoberg	$900
This course provides an opportunity for students to accelerate their study of biology with an introductory college level biology course, and to prepare for the May 2006 AP examination in Biology. The course uses a college level textbook and follows the College Board course outline. Laboratory work is extensive and will be included in each class session. Topics include: Molecular and Cellular Biology (biochemistry, cells, energy transformations), Genetics and Evolution (genetics, molecular genetics, evolution), Population Biology (plant biology and animal biology, including that of humans), and Ecology. ATDP students will be invited to attend additional review sessions in the spring of 2006 in preparation for the May 2006 examination. Prerequisites: Algebra I, high-school Biology, and a background in Chemistry. Priority is given to returning students. New students will be considered on a space-available basis. Completion of at least freshman year of high school or permission of the Director is required. Completion of at least sophomore year is recommended. Homework per class meeting: 8-10 hours

2580 Study Lab
0 units	By Arrangement	Staff	$235
Study Lab is offered in tandem with the student's academic course in order to provide assistance with learning a specific subject, organizing course materials, managing time, understanding and completing assignments, and reviewing for tests. Students will develop study skills which they can also apply to other courses in the future. In Study Lab, students will gain social skills to use in presenting themselves with confidence in class and in meetings with instructors. The Study Lab meets twice each week and will be scheduled on the same days as the student's academic course. If the student is enrolled in an afternoon class, the Study Lab will be held in the morning, and vice versa. Check the box under Course Selections (Section II) on p. 1 of the application form to receive more information and to apply. ATDP will send more information upon acceptance. The Study Lab is not available as a stand-alone course.