Rochelle Township High School

Science that students can see, test, defend, and use.

The RTHS Science Department helps students move from curiosity to evidence. Through biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy, environmental science, and the Hub of Science framework, students build the habits they need for college, careers, and informed decisions beyond the classroom.

3 shared Hub skills
6 science teachers
9-12 aligned pathways
Rochelle Township High School Hub mascot.
Department signature The Hub of Science
Scientific Measurement Tools, units, precision, accuracy
Data Analysis Collect, organize, graph, interpret
Communication in Science Read, write, explain, critique

Why science at RTHS

A department built around active, evidence-centered learning.

Science at RTHS is designed to feel connected: students investigate real questions, use tools and data with increasing independence, and practice explaining conclusions in ways that transfer across courses.

01

Hands-on by design

Labs, models, field observations, calculations, and demonstrations help students experience science as something they do, not only something they read about.

02

Data before opinion

Students learn to collect evidence, organize it, question it, graph it, and decide what the evidence can and cannot support.

03

College and career habits

The department emphasizes the reading, measurement, analysis, and communication habits students need in STEM fields, healthcare, technical careers, and everyday decision making.

04

Local relevance

From environmental systems to human health and physical science, students connect classroom ideas to Rochelle, the region, and the world they will help shape.

Department promise

Every student deserves a science classroom where curiosity has a method.

RTHS Science asks students to wonder, test, revise, and explain. That shared rhythm makes the department feel coherent even when the content changes from cells to chemical reactions to motion to ecosystems.

Department goals

What we want RTHS science graduates to carry forward.

The department goals turn science class into a four-year progression of habits: students become more precise, more analytical, more articulate, and more confident using evidence.

Measure With Precision

Students choose appropriate tools and units, understand accuracy and precision, and use measurements to support scientific claims.

Analyze Evidence

Students organize data, identify variables and trends, use graphs and calculations, and evaluate whether results are reasonable.

Communicate Like Scientists

Students read scientific information, write procedures and lab reports, build evidence-based explanations, and critique claims.

Grow Across Courses

The Hub gives teachers and students common language so skills deepen from freshman foundations to upper-level independence.

Prepare For Tomorrow

Courses connect to ACT-style reasoning, college readiness, technical pathways, healthcare, engineering, environmental work, and informed citizenship.

Improve As A Team

PLC conversations use shared evidence from different courses to plan support, extension, and continuous improvement.

Courses and pathways

Science courses give students multiple ways to grow.

RTHS science begins with foundational biology and physical science pathways, then opens into advanced, AP, health science, life science, and environmental options for juniors and seniors.

9th

Build scientific routines

Introduction to Biology, Biology, or Honors Biology establish lab habits, vocabulary, and evidence-based thinking.

10th

Apply physical science

Applied Natural Science, Natural Science, and Honors Chemistry extend students into systems, matter, energy, and quantitative reasoning.

11th/12th

Choose a direction

Students can pursue chemistry, physics, anatomy, environmental science, zoology, Biology II, AP Chemistry, or Honors Physics.

Course dropdown menu

Open a course to see the teacher, requirements, and description.

These descriptions are written from the Science Courses document and organized so students and families can compare options without leaving the department page.

Introduction to Biology Mr. Thompson
Open To
Grade 9
Prerequisite
None
Credit
1

Placement is based primarily on High School Placement Test results and junior high teacher recommendations. This course provides students with information and experiences to study living things in the six major kingdoms. Major topics include ecology, the cell, genetics, disease, zoology, human anatomy, and botany. Students focus on biology that is important to people, including the human role in ecosystems and how living things affect us and are affected by us.

Biology Mr. Baker, Mr. Smith, Mr. Otte
Open To
Grade 9
Prerequisite
None
Credit
1

Placement is based primarily on High School Placement Tests and junior high teacher recommendation. Students study living things through topics such as ecology, the cell, genetics, disease, zoology, and botany. First semester emphasizes the cellular and molecular level of living things and how traits are acquired and passed on. Second semester focuses on the kingdoms of living things, with labs and activities that help students study organisms in greater detail.

Honors Biology Mr. Smith
Open To
Grade 9
Prerequisite
Placement by test results and teacher recommendation
Credit
1

Honors Biology provides students with information and experiences in the study of living things, including ecology, the cell, genetics, disease, zoology, and botany. Students study the cellular and molecular level of organisms, then focus on the kingdoms of living things through labs and activities. This class is rigorous, moves at a brisk pace, and may include additional projects.

Applied Natural Science Mr. Smith, Mr. Otte
Open To
Grade 10
Prerequisite
Introduction to Biology
Credit
1

This sophomore course helps students better understand the physical universe through practical applications of earth, physical, and environmental science. Course content includes earth science, weather, atmosphere, environmental science, and space science, with physical science topics such as atoms, chemical reactions, and forces of nature integrated throughout. Students learn through readings, audio-visual presentations, teacher lecture, demonstrations, and laboratory experiences.

Natural Science Mr. Baker, Mr. Jackson, Ms. Criswell, Mr. Otte
Open To
Grade 10
Prerequisite
Biology, with Algebra I recommended, or teacher recommendation
Credit
1

Natural Science prepares students to further their scientific skills and knowledge for future RTHS coursework. Students experiment, collect meaningful data, and learn to present, critique, and evaluate scientific claims both in class and as consumers of information. The course focuses mainly on physics and chemistry while building skills students can carry into future coursework and real-life experiences.

Environmental Science I Mr. Baker
Open To
Grades 11-12
Prerequisite
2 credits in science
Credit
1/2 semester

Students build understanding of Earth systems and how they relate to what happens around us. The course supports STEM skills through measurement, metric work, math and statistics, scientific data interpretation, and graph construction and interpretation. Topics include interactions of living things with their environment, populations, endangered species, and resource conservation, with a special focus on current environmental topics.

Environmental Science II Mr. Baker
Open To
Grades 11-12
Prerequisite
2 credits in science; Environmental Science I is not required
Credit
1/2 semester

Students continue building understanding of Earth systems and how they relate to the world around us. The course reinforces science, math, and technical skills such as measuring, metric work, statistics, data interpretation, and graph construction. Topics include earth systems and resources, land and water use, pollution, global change, energy, and resource consumption, with a special focus on current environmental topics.

Chemistry Ms. Criswell
Open To
Grades 11-12
Prerequisite
Two science credits or teacher recommendation; Algebra II required or concurrent
Credit
1

Chemistry is a challenging college-prep course for students intending to go to college. Coursework and extensive lab activities develop observation skills, analysis of experimental findings, and understanding of chemistry. Topics include measurement, matter and energy, atomic structure, electron arrangement, mole relationships, the periodic table, bonding, formulas, chemical reactions and equations, gas laws, liquids and solutions, and acid/base chemistry. Algebra is used extensively to connect mathematics to real-world problems.

Honors Chemistry Mr. Jackson
Open To
Grade 10
Prerequisite
Honors Biology, or Biology with teacher recommendation; Algebra II required or concurrent
Credit
1

Honors Chemistry is designed for students intending to study science, technology, engineering, math, or healthcare in college. Coursework and extensive labs emphasize observation, experimental analysis, and chemistry concepts including measurement, matter and energy, atomic structure, electron arrangement, mole relationships, the periodic table, bonding, formulas, reactions, gas laws, liquids and solutions, equilibrium, thermochemistry, and acid/base chemistry. It can serve as a single high school chemistry course or the first year of the two-year AP Chemistry sequence.

AP Chemistry Mr. Jackson
Open To
Grades 11-12
Prerequisite
Chemistry I and Algebra II, minimum grade of B-
Credit
1

AP Chemistry is the equivalent of the first two semesters of college chemistry. It is a challenging, hands-on second course in chemistry for students who have completed Honors Chemistry. Students explore Honors Chemistry topics in more depth, including chemical reactions, thermochemistry, gas laws, acid/base chemistry, and equilibrium, while also studying electrochemistry and chemical kinetics. Independent learning is emphasized through a research project or lab activity designed and performed by the student.

Biology II: Microbiology and Cell Biology Mr. Smith
Open To
Grades 11-12
Prerequisite
Two credits of science
Credit
1/2

Biology II focuses on the biology of single-celled organisms. Students review cell structure and function, then study microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, and protozoa. Genetics is also a major topic, including genetic engineering and its impact on society. Students complete an independent research project in which they choose a problem, design and run an experiment, collect data, conduct library research, and draw a conclusion. This course is offered on alternate years.

Human Anatomy and Physiology I Mr. Baker
Open To
Grades 11-12
Prerequisite
Two credits of science
Credit
1/2

Anatomy and Physiology is a semester elective for students interested in any health field. Anatomy and Physiology I and II may be taken in any order and do not need to be taken in the same year. Anatomy and Physiology I covers organization, chemistry of life, cells and tissues, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, and nervous system.

Human Anatomy and Physiology II Mr. Baker
Open To
Grades 11-12 interested in a medical or related field
Prerequisite
Two credits of science
Credit
1/2

Anatomy and Physiology II is a semester elective for students interested in health fields. Anatomy and Physiology I and II may be taken in any order and do not need to be taken in the same year. Anatomy and Physiology II covers overview of organization, endocrine system, blood, circulatory system, lymphatic system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system.

Physics Mr. Jackson
Open To
Grades 11-12
Prerequisite
Algebra II and two science credits
Credit
1

Physics explores the nature of matter and energy and how they relate to each other. Students study motion, energy transfer, forces, electricity and magnetism, waves, sound, optics, fluid dynamics, astrophysics, relativity and modern physics, and basic electric circuits. First semester emphasizes engineering mechanics and hands-on projects such as designing and testing devices. Second semester allows students to select content from a menu of physics options based on yearly student interest, with more projects and labs.

Honors Physics Mr. Jackson
Open To
Grade 12; Grade 11 if taking AP Calculus
Prerequisite
Honors Pre-Calculus with an A or B
Credit
1

Honors Physics is a lab-intensive course exploring Newtonian equations of motion, force systems, energy, work, momentum, rotational physics, and simple harmonic motion of springs and pendulums. The course uses calculus and is designed to help students perform better in AP Calculus. It is equivalent to the first semester of college physics for science, engineering, math, and pre-med majors.

Zoology Mr. Baker
Open To
Grades 11-12
Prerequisite
Two credits of science
Credit
1/2

Zoology is the study of animal life. Students develop a comprehensive producer's management guide for an animal of their choice. Experiences include the study of animal anatomy, physiology, behavior, nutrition, reproduction, health, selection, and marketing. Students also consider perceptions and preferences within local, regional, and world markets. Completing this class is good preparation for the college and/or work environment.

Foundation

Biology Pathway

Introduction to Biology

Freshman placement course focused on living systems, lab routines, and foundational science practices.

Biology

Core life science course that develops observation, classification, evidence, and communication skills.

Honors Biology

Advanced freshman pathway for students ready for accelerated reading, lab analysis, and scientific reasoning.

Core

Natural and Physical Science

Applied Natural Science

Practical applications of earth, physical, environmental, weather, atmosphere, and space science concepts.

Natural Science

Earth, physical, and environmental science with algebra-supported problem solving and laboratory experiences.

Honors Chemistry

Rigorous chemistry pathway emphasizing measurement, matter, reactions, algebra, lab work, and STEM preparation.

Advanced STEM

Chemistry and Physics

Chemistry

College-prep chemistry with extensive lab work, measurement, atomic structure, reactions, solutions, and acid-base chemistry.

AP Chemistry

College-level chemistry sequence with deeper study, independent lab work, and AP exam preparation.

Physics and Honors Physics

Math-rich study of motion, forces, energy, momentum, rotation, and calculus-supported physics for advanced students.

Electives

Life, Health, and Environmental Science

Environmental Science I and II

Semester courses focused on ecosystems, resources, land and water use, pollution, energy, and current environmental topics.

Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II

Semester health science courses for students interested in medical, health, or related career fields.

Biology II and Zoology

Upper-level life science options that extend students into microorganisms, genetics, animal systems, classification, and research.

Course offerings and placement can change by school year. Students should confirm selections with counselors and current RTHS registration materials. Course descriptions are adapted from the Science Courses PDF provided for this department page.

Start here

Choose the view that fits you.

The Hub of Science has different value depending on who is viewing it. Students may want expectations, families may want context, teachers may want PLC tools, and administrators may want the department improvement structure.

Why it exists

Different courses, shared science practices.

Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy, Environmental Science, and other courses may study very different content. The Hub gives the department common ground by naming the science practices students should improve year after year.

Student privacy

This public site is designed to explain the system and share department resources. It does not include individual student work samples or confidential student information.

Audience dashboards

One Hub, four different lenses.

Each audience needs a different doorway into the same department framework. These dashboards surface the most relevant purpose, starting points, and next actions for each group.

Student lens

Know what you are practicing and why it matters.

The Hub helps students see that science success includes skills that grow across every science class, not only memorized content.

Start With

  • The three skill pathways
  • Grade-level progression
  • ACT prep alignment

Look For

  • How expectations grow over time
  • How labs connect to graphs and claims
  • How classroom practice builds readiness

Interactive skill explorer

Trace one science skill across grade levels.

The explorer connects each Hub skill to the student expectation, classroom look, PLC evidence, and ACT readiness connection at each grade band.

Most useful for Students Families Teachers Administration

Skill

Grade Band

Scientific Measurement

9th Grade Measurement

Students build confidence with measuring, estimation, correct units, and appropriate instrument use.

Student Expectation

Use common measuring tools, choose sensible units, and make reasoned estimates before and after measuring.

Classroom Look

Students measure lab materials, record units clearly, compare estimates to actual values, and discuss sources of error.

PLC Evidence

Teachers compare student measurement records, unit choices, instrument use, and patterns of common errors.

ACT Connection

Students build the habit of noticing what is being measured, which unit is used, and whether data values are reasonable.

The three skills

Each pathway grows from foundation to independence.

The classroom posters introduce the skill progressions in student language. The website adds short explanations and links each poster to rubrics and PLC tools.

Most useful for Students Families Teachers
Rochelle Township High School Hub of Science Measurement poster showing 9th, 10th, and 11th/12th grade expectations.

Scientific Measurement

Students learn to measure with purpose.

Students choose appropriate tools and units, estimate before measuring, convert units when needed, and report data with attention to accuracy and precision.

  • 9th grade: Measuring, estimation, choosing correct units, and appropriate instrument use.
  • 10th grade: Previous skills plus unit conversions, derived units, and dimensional analysis.
  • 11th/12th grade: Previous skills plus precision, accuracy, technology, engineering, and advanced math when appropriate.
Rochelle Township High School Hub of Science Data Analysis poster showing 9th, 10th, and 11th/12th grade expectations.

Data Analysis

Students learn to make sense of evidence.

Students collect and organize data, identify variables, build graphs, recognize trends, use technology, and explain what the evidence shows.

  • 9th grade: Data collection, variable identification, organization, graph parts, and graph construction.
  • 10th grade: Relationships among variables, calculations, trend identification, technology use, and verbal graph summaries.
  • 11th/12th grade: Statistical analysis of data and graphs plus continued use of technology to analyze and build graphs.
Rochelle Township High School Hub of Science Communication poster showing 9th, 10th, and 11th/12th grade expectations.

Communication in Science

Students learn to explain science clearly.

Students read scientific texts, write hypotheses and procedures, support claims with evidence, present findings, and evaluate scientific information.

  • 9th grade: Reading science texts, hypothesis writing, papers, presentations, and following lab procedures.
  • 10th grade: Writing procedures and conclusions, producing presentations, analyzing claims, and solving word problems.
  • 11th/12th grade: Full lab reports, peer review, Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER), primary literature, evaluating claims, and identifying pseudoscience and misinformation.

Grade-level progression

The Hub is scaffolded across high school.

The expectations become more complex as students move from basic skill building toward independent analysis, communication, and critique.

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9th Grade

Build the foundation

Students practice the core routines of science: measuring, collecting data, organizing information, reading science text, writing hypotheses, and following lab procedures.

10th Grade

Apply and analyze

Students use previous skills in more complex situations. They convert units, analyze relationships, use technology, write conclusions, evaluate claims, and solve multi-step problems.

11th/12th Grade

Work with independence

Students use advanced tools, statistics, peer review, research, CER writing, and evidence-based critique to prepare for college, careers, and informed citizenship.

ACT prep alignment

The Hub builds the same habits students need on ACT Science.

The ACT Science section is not mainly a memorization test. ACT describes it as measuring interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving in scientific contexts. The Hub of Science gives students repeated practice with those same habits across their science courses.

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Data Analysis

Graphs, charts, tables, and trends

ACT Science passages often ask students to read tables, graphs, and diagrams, recognize relationships, compare data, interpolate or extrapolate, and make predictions from evidence. The Hub's Data Analysis pathway gives students practice collecting, organizing, graphing, summarizing, and interpreting data long before test day.

Scientific Measurement

Units, tools, variables, and experimental design

ACT passages commonly include measurements, units, trials, controls, variables, and experimental procedures. The Hub's Measurement pathway helps students understand what measurements mean, why units matter, how tools affect data, and how precision and accuracy shape scientific conclusions.

Communication in Science

Reading scientific passages with purpose

Students must read efficiently, identify claims, compare explanations, understand evidence, and evaluate conclusions. The Hub's Communication pathway builds science reading comprehension, Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER), peer critique, and the ability to distinguish reliable science from pseudoscience or misinformation.

How the Hub connects to ACT Science passage types

ACT describes Science passages as commonly appearing through data representation, research summaries, and conflicting viewpoints. Those formats line up naturally with the Hub's three skills.

  • Data representation: Students practice reading and building graphs, tables, and diagrams.
  • Research summaries: Students practice variables, procedures, trials, tools, units, and experimental results.
  • Conflicting viewpoints: Students practice comparing claims, evaluating evidence, and explaining reasoning.

ACT note: Science is offered as an optional add-on in the current ACT structure, but the measured skills remain valuable for science coursework, STEM pathways, and evidence-based reading. Sources: ACT Science Test Description and ACT Reading Test Description.

What this looks like in class

The Hub shows up inside regular science learning.

These examples do not use student work samples. They show how different science courses can connect normal classroom activities to the same department-wide skill language.

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Biology

Collecting and organizing lab observations

A Biology investigation may ask students to collect qualitative and quantitative observations, organize data clearly, identify variables, and write a conclusion connected to evidence.

Data Analysis Communication

Chemistry

Using units to solve multi-step problems

A Chemistry activity may focus on choosing correct units, converting measurements, using dimensional analysis, and explaining the reasoning behind a calculation.

Measurement Communication

Physics

Building graphs and interpreting relationships

A Physics lab may ask students to collect measurements, build a graph from obtained data, identify trends, and describe the relationship between variables.

Measurement Data Analysis

Upper-Level Science

Evaluating evidence and scientific claims

An advanced science course may ask students to use primary literature, critique claims, write CER responses, and distinguish reliable science from pseudoscience or misinformation.

Communication Data Analysis

Rubric snapshots

Public-facing summaries first, full rubrics when needed.

The full rubrics are teacher tools, so this page presents a simplified view of what growth looks like before linking to the complete scoring documents.

Most useful for Families Teachers Administration

Scientific Measurement

Growth means moving from inconsistent tool and unit use toward careful measurement, clear unit reasoning, accurate conversions, and appropriate use of technology or advanced math.

Open full measurement rubric PDF

Data Analysis

Growth means moving from incomplete or disorganized data toward accurate collection, clear organization, meaningful graphs, trend analysis, and technology-supported interpretation.

Open full data analysis rubric PDF

Communication in Science

Growth means moving from unclear reading, writing, or explaining toward evidence-based claims, complete lab reports, thoughtful peer feedback, and critical evaluation of sources.

Open full communication rubric PDF

Full rubrics available as PDFs

The public summaries above are intentionally brief. The linked PDF rubrics provide the full scoring language teachers can use for classroom activities and PLC conversations.

Professional Learning Communities

The Hub gives PLCs a shared conversation.

Science courses can be very different, but every course can bring evidence about measurement, data analysis, or communication. That shared language helps department PLC meetings stay focused on student learning.

Most useful for Teachers Administration
1 Choose an activity

Name the course, assignment, and instructors.

2 Connect it to a Hub skill

Identify the domain and subskills addressed.

3 Bring evidence

Use student work, rubric results, or common observations.

4 Respond as a team

Plan support for struggle and extension for proficiency.

Core PLC questions

  1. What do we want all students to know and be able to do as a result of this activity?
  2. How do we know if students achieved the goal of this lesson?
  3. What should we do for students who struggled?
  4. How can we extend learning for students who are already proficient?

Parent and administrator FAQ

Quick answers to common questions.

These responses are written for people who want to understand the purpose of the Hub without reading the full manual or rubrics first.

Most useful for Families Administration Students
Is the Hub of Science a new curriculum?

No. The Hub is a shared skill framework that supports the curriculum already taught in science courses. It helps teachers name and track common science practices across different classes.

Why use the same skills across different science courses?

Science content changes from course to course, but students still measure, analyze data, communicate claims, and evaluate evidence. The Hub gives the department a common language for those skills.

Are students graded on these skills?

Teachers can use Hub rubrics to give feedback on science practices inside normal assignments, labs, projects, and assessments. The Hub helps clarify expectations; individual grading decisions remain connected to course and assignment goals.

How does this help PLC meetings?

Teachers can bring evidence from different courses and still have a productive department conversation because the evidence connects to shared skills: Scientific Measurement, Data Analysis, and Communication in Science.

Why are there no student work examples on the public site?

The site is designed to explain the system while protecting student privacy. It uses general classroom examples and public resources instead of individual student work samples.

Living implementation note

This framework is designed to keep improving.

The Hub of Science is a working department framework. As teachers use the skill progressions, rubrics, and PLC forms, the Science Department can continue refining language, examples, resources, and implementation steps based on evidence from classroom practice and PLC reflection.

Draft implementation language updated May 2026.

Science department team

Meet the teachers behind the Hub.

The Hub of Science is built through department collaboration. This section can introduce each science teacher, the courses they teach, and the science skills they help students develop.

Most useful for Students Families Administration
Mr. James Jackson.

Mr. James Jackson

Department Chair | AP Chemistry, Honors Chemistry, Honors Physics, Physics, Natural Science

JJackson@rthsd212.org

Mr. Jackson is the Science Department Chair and the primary component in bringing the Hub of Science to life. He holds a bachelor's degree in Biology and a master's degree in Teaching, and helps lead the department's shared focus on measurement, data analysis, and communication in science.

Mr. Tim Thompson.

Mr. Tim Thompson

Intro to Biology, Biology

tthompson@rthsd212.org

Mr. Thompson teaches Intro to Biology and Biology. He holds a bachelor's degree in Biology and a master's degree in Educational Leadership, helping students build the foundational science practices that support success across the Hub.

Mr. Adrian Smith.

Mr. Adrian Smith

Biology, Honors Biology, Biology II, Natural Science, Applied Natural Science

asmith@rthsd212.org

Mr. Smith teaches Biology, Honors Biology, Biology II, Natural Science, and Applied Natural Science. He holds a bachelor's degree in Biology and a master's degree in Educational Leadership, helping students connect foundational science content to the practices of the Hub.

Ms. Anna Criswell.

Ms. Anna Criswell

Natural Science, Chemistry

ACriswell@rthsd212.org

Ms. Criswell teaches Natural Science and Chemistry. She holds a bachelor's degree in Chemistry and is currently working toward her master's degree in Chemistry, with the goal of teaching Dual Credit Chemistry and expanding advanced opportunities for students.

Mr. Justin Otte.

Mr. Justin Otte

Natural Science, Applied Natural Science, Biology

JOtte@rthsd212.org

Mr. Otte teaches Natural Science, Applied Natural Science, and Biology. He holds a bachelor's degree in Biology and is working toward his master's degree in Biology, with the goal of teaching Dual Credit Biology and expanding advanced science pathways for students.

Mr. Nelson Baker.

Mr. Nelson Baker

Biology, Natural Science, Environmental Science, Zoology, Human Anatomy and Physiology

nbaker@rthsd212.org

Mr. Baker teaches Biology, Natural Science, Environmental Science, Zoology, and Human Anatomy and Physiology. He holds a bachelor's degree in Biology and a master's degree in Educational Leadership, helping students connect scientific content to data, measurement, and communication skills.

Teacher names and email addresses were checked against the RTHS staff directory.

What sets us apart

The Science Department is more than a list of classes.

The RTHS Science Department stands out because it has a public, shared system for how students grow as scientists. The Hub makes skill development visible, repeatable, and useful across different classrooms.

Most useful for Students Families Teachers Administration
1

A named department framework

The Hub of Science gives the department a clear identity built around Scientific Measurement, Data Analysis, and Communication in Science.

2

Skills that follow students

Students see the same core practices in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy, Environmental Science, and upper-level electives.

3

Visible classroom tools

Posters, rubrics, resource links, and the skill explorer make department expectations easy for students and families to see.

4

Evidence-based PLC work

Teachers can bring student evidence from different courses into one professional conversation because the skill language is shared.

5

ACT and readiness alignment

The Hub repeatedly practices interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem solving in science contexts.

6

A team families can know

Teacher profiles, contact links, course snapshots, and public resources make the department approachable and transparent.

The department message

  • Students do science through investigation, measurement, analysis, and communication.
  • Families can see what growth looks like across the four years.
  • Teachers share evidence and refine practice together.
  • RTHS Science has a recognizable identity that students can carry from one classroom to the next.

Resource library

Source documents and classroom visuals.

These resources are linked as PDFs for public viewing and can be embedded or uploaded when the final Google Site is assembled.

Most useful for Teachers Administration Families

Hub Manual

The full overview document describing the purpose, domains, grade bands, PLC use, and rubrics.

Open manual PDF