Breck School - Mustang Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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SCIENCE A second-year course in Biology is an advanced course both in scope of material and in depth of understanding. A college text is used and the course is geared for advanced placement standing in this area. Students have the opportunity for greater flexibility in their study methods and greater emphasis is placed on individual responsibility. Students have opportunities for more varied laboratory investigation. The study of chemistry is programmed according to the goals of the CHEMSTUDY curriculum. Chemistry at Breck deals with the structure of materials, both living and nonliving, and their chemical reactions with one another. Physics at Breck is PSSC Physics. Since this is the physics of the age of tomorrow, it uses modern mathematical concepts to explain and measure energy. Students entering physics are high scholastically with special strengths in mathematics. This year being taught at Breck for the first time is a subjective analysis of the consequences of todays modern technology. This course being taught by Mr. Coulter gives the student a greater understanding and sensibility of the science areas. Mr. Allan Coulter Mr. Robert Dedolph Department Head Mr. William Lund

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SCIENCE As planned and put into current practice, the Breck Science Department provides two things: first, it provides non-science-directed students with scientific facts and methods that can be used in making many decisions in their lives. Science is everywhere around us and the ramifications of its technology are far reaching. Second, it provides science-directed students at Breck with facilities for learning that are excellent. The laboratory facilities, new in 1969, are excellent. The science curricula represent the best current material available. Science in the 7th and 8th grades is taught by all members of the Science Department. Students in these grades are studying the first unit of the ISCS (Intermediate Science Curriculum Study) sequence of scientific investigations. Under this program students learn as scientists learn, by doing things themselves, working with their hands, and doing their own thinking. The teacher acts as a resource person who can be called upon to help and make suggestions only when a student really cannot go on. Such dynamic ideas as force, electricity, magnetism, and other physical occurrences are examined and learned. The lab sciences, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, are taught by Mr. Dedolph, Mr Coulter, and Mr. Lund respectively. The years in which a student may take these courses are for the most part optional. Biology is offered as a study of living organisms and their relationships to one another and to the environment that surrounds them. Biological study is approached from two points of view: one, molecular and the second ecological. Molecular biology has its primary emphasis on the bio-chemical structure of individual species of organisms and their function. Environmental biology is a course in ecology with all the importance to survival of the human individual and species. 25

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LANGUAGE Breck’s Language Department offers courses in French, German, and Spanish for students in grades seven through twelve. An audiolingual program, the AL-M system, forms the curriculum for Levels I and II in both French and German. The basic Spanish program is similar. Mrs. Pauline Kiltinen, French teacher, supplements the AL-M program with a continuing interest in current French history and a monthly French scholastic magazine. The fourth level class consists of a grammar review and study of short literary selections. The fifth level class studies Freeh civilization, a grammar review, and French literature by genre. Occasionally fourth and fifth level students also attend plays in French by French performers and see French films in their classrooms. The Spanish program is directed by Mr. Michael Uram, Senior Master. The program consists of basic grammar study in the lower levels, interspersed with Spanish and Mexican culture, and perhaps a few driving tips. The third and fourth level continue grammar study and read short literary selections. Mr. Michael Weiszel, Head of the Language Department, is the German teacher. The first and second levels closely parallel the French AL-M program. German III completes a review of German grammar and begins an introduction to German history and culture. The fifth level class studies German literature of the twentieth century and continues grammar study. German students also receive a monthly scholastic magazine. 27