Math, Science & Technology
For more information contact
Meredith Mullins | (859) 277-7183 ext. 227 | [email protected]
In addition to its advanced academic path, the Lexington Catholic High School Exemplar Scholars Program is designed to take our most talented math, science, and technology students and expose them to a wide range of experiential opportunities. In doing so, the intent of the program is to allow our most gifted math and science students to experience research and mentorship opportunities as well as take courses on an accelerated pathway.
Given this goal, the Exemplar Scholars Program includes a four-year academically rigorous curriculum that will require its students to earn additional credits above the minimum 25 credits required to graduate.
Additionally, students will be provided research and mentorship opportunities within areas of personal and career-related interest. Upon completion of their senior project, Exemplar Scholars will be required to present their mentorship and/or research experiences in the form of a Senior Showcase designed to demonstrate knowledge and skills gained while in the program.
Importantly, the coursework for the program will not be restricted to Exemplar Scholars exclusively; rather, any student can participate in some of the classes along with the Exemplar students thus enhancing the overall quality of the student body.
All these are accomplished under the guidance and supervision of the Director of Special Academic Programs and individual faculty advisors.
- Highly selective admissions process
- Increased academic rigor
- Leadership Speaker Series
- Research and Mentorship opportunities
- Senior Project and Showcase
PROGRAM OF STUDIES
Math / Science / Technology Major
Exemplar Scholars Program of Studies
*Due to the need of preparing and starting the mentorship, the ESP MST “waitlist” dissolves by the end of the 1st day of the student’s sophomore year.
The Exemplar Scholars Program is designed to challenge academically gifted students in the area of math, science, and technology.
MATH
Each Exemplar Scholar has his or her own program of studies in math depending on their entry-level math course freshman year.
Honors Geometry
This course contains the traditional topics of plane and solid geometry and investigates areas of non-Euclidian geometry. Emphasis is placed on inductive/deductive thinking, reasoning, and proof. Connections are made with other areas of mathematics through problem-solving. Research projects are required.
Prerequisite: Completion of an Algebra I course as a freshman or recommendation based on placement test scores
Honors Algebra II
The operations of Algebra I are reviewed and strengthened. Additional content includes the solution of equations and inequalities in one, two, and three variables, the graphs of functions and relations, complex numbers, the properties of quadratics, matrices, and conics. Compare and contrast of multiple strategies are stressed. Problem solving and practical applications are emphasized. Projects are required.
Prerequisite: Completion of a Geometry course or recommendation based on placement test scores
Honors Trigonometry and Precalculus
This course will cover all the topics of TRIGONOMETRY AND PRECALCULUS plus additional trig identities and graphing techniques. Real life applications will be stressed.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of an Algebra II class
Honors Calculus
This course is a study in elementary functions and the calculus of a single variable including limits, differentiation, and integration. This course is the equivalent to one semester of college calculus. In May, students may choose to take the UK MA 113 exam. With a score of "C" or better, the student will earn 4 hours credit upon enrolling at UK in the fall.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of a Trigonometry/Precalculus class
Advanced Placement Calculus AB
This course is an intense study in the calculus of functions of a single variable. Theory and applications of limits, differentiation, and integration are discussed. In May, the students will take the College Board's Advanced Placement Calculus AB exam. With a score of 3, 4, or 5, the student could earn one semester (or two quarters) of college calculus (3-4 hours) credit.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Trig & Precalculus
Advanced Placement Calculus BC
This course is a continuation of the calculus learned in AP Calculus AB. Content includes integration methods and applications, the calculus of parametric, polar, and vector functions, infinite series, Euler's method, and L'hopital's Rule. In May, the students will take the College Board's Advanced Placement Calculus BC exam. With a score of 3, 4, or 5, the students will earn college credit for 1-2 semesters of college calculus (3-8 hours) credit.
Prerequisite: successful completion of AP Calculus AB
Advanced Placement Statistics
This class introduces students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. Four broad themes are covered: Exploring data (describing patterns and departures from patterns); Sampling and Experimentation (planning and conducting a study); Anticipating Patterns (exploring random phenomena using probability and simulation); and Statistical Inference (estimating population parameters and testing hypotheses).
Prerequisite: successful completion of an Algebra II class
SCIENCE
Freshman scholars will be placed in Honors Biology and Honors Geophysical Science, followed by Honors Chemistry sophomore year. Juniors have the choice of Advanced Placement Chemistry, Advanced Placement Biology or Advanced Placement Physics. Seniors will finish the program with the choice of Advanced Placement Physics, Advanced Placement Biology, Advanced Placement Chemistry, Advanced Placement Environmental Science or Honors Anatomy and Physiology. Juniors and seniors may take more than one science credit each year.
Honors Biology
This honors course is designed to challenge the student. It emphasizes critical thinking and application of concepts. Students are expected to be capable of independent work and will be required to cover the same core concepts covered in Biology I but at a much faster pace and in greater detail.
Honors Geophysical Science
This is an introductory course in earth science with an emphasis in geology, astronomy, physics, chemistry, and meteorology. Concepts covered include scientific methods, energy and motion, phases of matter, the periodic table, chemical bonds, elements and compounds, chemical reactions, plate tectonics, land features and their formation, and the cycles of matter. Laboratory explorations of each topic area give students real-life applications of science. This honors course emphasizes the inquiry method. The topics are covered in more depth and students are expected to work independently. The course requires outside reading and writing assignments.
Honors Chemistry
Chemistry is the study of matter/energy and the changes that occur as substances interact. Topics within the course of study include, but are not limited to: atomic theory, nomenclature, VSEPR Theory, reaction classification and product prediction, stoichiometry, thermodynamic principles, chemical kinetics, reaction rates and mechanisms, acid-base interactions, and nuclear chemistry. Material and concepts presented are more in-depth and interrelated when compared to Chemistry I; the course is a preparatory course for students interested in entering a college chemistry course and/or AP Chemistry. Students entering the course should be proficient in algebra and scored well in the chemistry section of geophysical science. Laboratory experiences are designed to reinforce or introduce concepts presented within the class lecture/discussion.
Advanced Placement Chemistry
The AP Chemistry course is designed to provide an educational experience within the field of chemistry equivalent to a first year college chemistry course. The advantages of such a course include the possible fulfillment of a science credit for those students pursuing a collegiate major that does not require chemistry; for those students pursuing a major requiring a first year chemistry course, AP Chemistry may be substituted for a laboratory requirement. Even if the student does not receive college credit for the course, the rigor and depth of subject knowledge will better prepare the student for the first year college chemistry course. While many of the same topics are covered in the Honors Chemistry course, the concepts and principles are reinforced, presented in a more in-depth manner, and in a more varied, cross-discipline manner. Laboratory experiences are designed to reinforce or introduce concepts presented within the class lecture/discussion.
Advanced Placement Biology
This is a lab-based, second year course which prepares students for the national AP Biology exam given during the second week of May. This exam tests a student's ability to explain, analyze and interpret biological processes and phenomena. The syllabus is a compilation of topics covered by 300 colleges belonging to the College Board. Topics include biochemistry, cells, energetics, heredity, molecular genetics, evolution, diversity of organisms, structure and function of plants and animals and ecology. These topics are covered in depth and at the pace of a college-level course so there is a good deal of independent work and out-of-class study time required. A college textbook and lab manual are used.
Honors Anatomy and Physiology
This honors course emphasizes the inquiry method. It is designed to challenge the student to higher levels of acquiring scientific knowledge, resolving open-ended experiments and mastering application type tests. Students are expected to be capable of independent work. This is in addition to the same core concepts covered in Anatomy and Physiology.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of or concurrent enrollment in Chemistry
Advanced Placement Environmental Science
AP Environmental Science is a yearlong course designed to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world. Students will learn to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. A major topic discussed throughout the year is global warming; its causes, the effects, and the courses of action available. This is an interactive course that requires time on a few weekends. Time after school and the occasional field trip during the school day can also be expected.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of or concurrent enrollment in Chemistry
Advanced Placement Physics C
AP Physics C is a Calculus-based physics course. This is primarily a lecture/discussion course with an emphasis on laboratory experiments, data reporting and data interpretation. This course will concentrate on linear motion, projectile motion, forces, energy, momentum, rotational dynamics, harmonic motion and gravity. Students will develop algebra, calculus and problem-solving skills. This course utilizes a college level textbook and is classified as a lab science. Independent study and out of class work is expected.
Introduction to Engineering Design
Introduction to Engineering Design (IED) is a high school level foundation course. In this course, students are introduced to the engineering profession and a common approach to the solution of engineering problems, an engineering design process. Utilizing the activity-project-problem-based teaching and learning pedagogy, students will progress from completing structured activities to solving open-ended projects and problems that require them to develop planning, documentation, communication, and other professional skills.
Course open to 11th and 12th grade students and is a full year course.
TECHNOLOGY
All Exemplar Scholars must take Computer Applications and Programming I. The student may choose to take Programming II and Advanced Placement Computer Programming.
Computer Applications
This course is designed to bring students to a basic level of proficiency in applying computer technology. Students will be introduced to fundamental computer concepts, beginning keyboarding skills, word-processing, multi-media presentations, Internet applications and spreadsheets. Special attention will be devoted to legal issues, copyright law, and safety. Application of technology in the workplace will be emphasized.
Programming I (Computer Programming C++)
This is an introductory course in the fundamentals of programming. The course covers both abstract principles such as logic and algorithms as well as the particular properties and data structures of C++. This course is one semester in length.
Programming II
This course covers more advanced algorithms and properties of the language of C++ such as strings, vectors, and classes. Prerequisite: Programming I
Advanced Placement Computer Programming
This course emphasizes object-oriented programming methodology with a concentration on problem solving and algorithm development, and is meant to be the equivalent of a first-semester college-level course in computer science. It also includes the study of data structures, design, and abstraction.
Prerequisites: Computer Applications, Programming I and Programming II