Alberta Science 10

Science 10 is the only science class that is absolutely required in High School. Based on it's naming, students expect it to be a continuation of the science classes from Junior High. Boy are they in for a shocker.

Junior High science classes basically expect students to learn some vocabulary and use it in a sentence. Science 10 is a huge step up from this in terms of expectations. Students are expected to understand a concept and then use it to either explain or predict a phenomenon. There are 4 units in Science 10.

Chemistry

Often taught first in order, this is the longest (in terms of time spent) and takes up almost half the semester. Topics covered include atomic theories, naming compounds, predicting solubility, predicting chemical reactions, communicating the energy involved in chemical reactions, and performing mole calculations (the hardest topic for most students). Nothing on this list is inherently difficult, but there's just so much stuff to cram for a single unit test. That makes it hard.

Physics

Usually taught second or third in the order, don't expect this unit to take up more than a week at school. And there may not even be a unit test for it. Most students like this unit, as the concepts are simpler and easier and offers a "good feel" after the hardships of Chemistry. Topics covered include motion, graphing motion, work and energy. These topics will be explored in way more depth in Physics 20.

Biology

This is another big unit with lots of stuff in it, but it is more descriptive than the Chemistry unit, therefore easier for students to deal with. Topics covered include cell theory, animal cells, plant cells, biological systems, cellular transport and the microscope. While the last 2 topics are more substantial, the previous ones are more talkative and perhaps easier to study for.

Climate

This unit is usually taught last and is often skipped through very quickly and briefly. While there is a lot of stuff in this unit, the content and expectations are more of a level that the students expect. The reason it is often skipped through very quickly is that Science 10 is on a very tight schedule. There are so many topics in the chemistry and biology units that dwelling on any topic just a little too long eats up much of the time that the climate unit was expected to use.