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Science Department
Resource Teacher: Ms. Sandra SundlofDepartment Phone: 301-929-2074
Department Overview
Welcome to the Science Department at Wheaton High School. We take pride that we offer an inquiry-based program. Scientific inquiry refers to the diverse ways in which scientists study the natural world and propose explanations based on the evidence derived from their work. Inquiry also refers to the activities of students in which they develop knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas. Each class offered in this department has a hands on inquiry based laboratory component.
The science curriculum at Wheaton High School offers a broad range of experiences in all areas of science including Advanced Placement Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Environmental Science. We also offer a Biomedical sequence of courses through Project Lead the Way. Students have a sequence of four courses beginning in 9th grade. We are the only high school that offers this opportunity in Montgomery County. The one required science course is Biology. Students taking Biology are required to pass the Maryland High School Assessment (HSA). Students who do not pass the test will receive remediation and may retake it. All students must complete 3 years of science to meet the graduation requirement however students are encouraged to consider scheduling science during all four years. Colleges recommend a minimum of 4 years for students in science related majors.
News
Science Department Forms Partnership
The Science Department has a partnership with the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine. Each summer two Wheaton High School students are given a paid internship to work with scientists and learn more about how food and drugs related to animal health are regulated by this branch of our government. This past summer the recipients of this internship was Joseph O'Keefe.
"Congratulations to Phung Tran and Quang Nguyen for the 2010/2011 Howard Hughes Medical Institute Internship."
Wheaton High School has been very successful at placing students into the prestigious Howard Hughes Medical Internship/National Institutes of Health/Montgomery County Public Schools Student Internship. This is a paid summer internship followed by continued work during the academic year. This is an extremely rigorous program that culminates with each student presenting their research experience at a formal dinner symposium.
Past recipients are:
- 2009/2010 Luke Woldehannes
- 2008/2009 Samrawit Yalewaker
- 2007/2008 Takele Telahun
- 2006/2007 Maria Rivera, Isabelle Roma, and Gloria Kosky
- 2005/2006 Cesar Baeta and Belechew Telahun
- 2004/2005 Kedar Gurjar
- 2003/2004 Jeet Bahra
- 2002/2003 Anoma Hapangama