Biology

This high school tutorial will explore the fundamentals of the study of life. We will learn many topics within cell biology, genetics, classification of life, and ecology. Along the way, we will discuss the history of the field of biology and also discover connections between biology and other subjects such as medicine, literature, and ethics.

In addition to in-class and home activities, students will have the privilege of meeting at the beautiful Ken Olsen Science Center at Gordon College for a full lab experience.  These labs are considered a required part of the course. Students who do not attend will receive a grade deduction.  The labs will investigate particular topics covered in the tutorial and will also serve to develop lab skills.  In conjunction with these lab activities, students will prepare for college science by learning and/or honing their skill of writing formal lab reports. This tutorial will include dissection of the fetal pig.

Assessment of learning will embrace a spectrum of learning and testing styles.

NOTE regarding our choice of textbook and the subject of origins:

The Biology tutor is in the process of choosing a text that will be ideal for college-preparatory biology coursework. Any secular text will at times express worldviews that may be at odds with a scriptural perspective (for that matter, we doubt there is any one Christian biology text that would speak for all Christians).

Our Science Advisory Team, composed of parent representatives and New Hope science tutors, has discussed at length the fact that the subject of biology can be a challenging one for the Christian teacher/scientist as it deals with the subject of the origin of all things. It is clearly the goal of New Hope to approach this subject with a spirit of humility and a commitment to respecting others’ opinions. We wish to encourage that kind of attitude among our students, as it will put them in a better position to learn (not only from the text but from each other as well) and to build relationships that are honoring to God. There will be opportunities for students to defend their positions. There will also be times when the desire to defend will need to give way to listening to and genuinely seeking to understand someone else’s position. We see all of this as an exciting opportunity to demonstrate and nurture Christ-like love.