The Pleasant Valley High School Science Department focuses on preparing students to use science for improving their lives and coping with an increasingly technological society. We strive to produce informed citizens who are prepared to deal responsibly with science related social issues. Our curriculum engenders student awareness of the nature and scope of a wide variety of science and technology-related careers. For those students who aspire to scientific careers, we provide the knowledge and college preparation appropriate to their goals.
Science is experimental by nature and inherently involves experimentation in the classroom. We strive to bring about and sustain enthusiastic curiosity about the environment and scientific world around us. Classes offered include college prep Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth and Space Science, 9th Grade Science, Anatomy and Physiology. Advanced placement classes are offered in Biology and Chemistry. Other courses used to satisfy graduation requirements include Life Science, Physical Science, and Health. The PVHS Science Staff knows the importance of students making real-world connections to science and strive to make science interesting and applicable to their daily lives.

As educators, we must produce scientific literacy in students that goes beyond the regurgitation of facts, figures, and word meanings. Our students must understand the process of scientific discovery and its effects on society. A successful science program should insure that all students see the need for competency in science and understand that science is a tool for solving everyday problems.
Specifically, we believe that the science program should develop in students the following:

• An ability to think in a manner which is logical, critical, creative, and independent.
• An ability to observe natural phenomena objectively and draw conclusions from these observations.
• An understanding of the process of science and its use as a tool to help solve personal and societal problems.
• An understanding and appreciation of our limited natural environment and a concern for its protection and future.
• An appreciation of the beauty and grandeur inherent in the order of the universe.
• A comprehensive scientific background necessary to function in a rational and intelligent manner.
• A realization that science is not only a body of knowledge and understanding but is also a search for knowledge.
• An ability to integrate science, technology, and society.
• An understanding of the interdependence of science with mathematics and the humanities.
• The realization that in order to become life-long learners and make meaningful contributions to society, they must not only learn and understand science but also must do science.

The community and businesses of the Chico area have been extremely generous of their time and support to PVHS Science Dept. We have been fortunate enough to receive donations from Monarch Labs, Smith-Kline Beacham Labs, and Enloe Hospital of surplus glassware, incubators, and petri dishes. The Chico Soroptomists have donated three lab pro devices to be used by students to gather laboratory data. Field trips to such places as Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., California State University, Chico, Orient and Flume, Water Treatment Co., and Hupp Neon Signs and Lighting have allowed many students to see science in action. Several local dentists and physicians have donated gloves for our biology classrooms to use.
Members of the PVHS Science Dept. are:

(Pictured from left to right)Dan Beadle, Barbara Bertapelle, Bill Flory, Malina Olson, Dave Crawford, Tom George, Scott Gunderson, Ray Barber. Lance Brogden (not pictured)

Our Needs

Supplies that we need that are currently beyond our budget are listed below (not listed in order of priority).
Yearly needs:

1. Non-latex gloves and Kleenex are items that are used throughout the year.
2. In this lab, students transfer a jellyfish gene into a bacterium which when fed a sugar called arabinose will turn neon green. This lab illustrates the principle of bacterial transformation and how easy it is for bacteria to pick up genetic information from different species of organisms. This lab is a yearly expense.
   Cost $65.00 each. Need one for each of the four Honors Biology Classes.
   4 x $65.00 = $260 + shipping ($26.00) and state tax % ($18.85)
3. In this lab, students investigate which human DNA sequences are used for crime scene, missing person, mass disaster, and paternity investigations. Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA electrophoresis, students determine the genotypes of five DNA samples and experience how real-world crime lab solve mysteries.
   Cost $139.00 each. Need one for each of the four Honors Biology Classes.
   4 x $139.00 = $556 + shipping ($56.00) and state tax % ($40.31)
4. The cost of repair and maintenance of our microscopes and balances. Currently this is done every 3 years at a cost of $1200.
5. In science classes we do lots of demonstrations using carbon dioxide, both in physics as well as earth science. We don't have a good source for carbon dioxide, so we are in need of gas canisters that can be used as a carbon dioxide supply. A lecture bottle holds about 125 liters of CO2, and can be used for approximately 8 years of class use.
   The cost for a lecture bottle of CO2 is $145.51 plus 10% shipping and 7.25% tax
   Grand total is $170.61

One Time Expenditures

1. This is a piece of hardware that connects a computer to lab probes to collect data to be used for classroom analysis. We have most of the physical science probes, but lack the equipment to interface with the probes for all of the classes that would like to use the probes.
   Each is $220. Three additional units are needed to complete a class set.
   $220 x 3 units = $660 plus tax and shipping total $755.70
   See the website for more information.
   http://www.vernier.com/mbl/labpro.html
2. The Vernier Microphone can be used to display and study the waveforms of sounds from voices and musical instruments. It is also great for speed of sound experiments. This is used both in Physics as well as Physical science classes. How sound waves behave, propagate, and change with other sounds can be analyzed by students.
   Cost $39.00 each. Need 8 for lab setup
   8 x $39.00 = $312 + shipping ($9.36) and state tax % ($22.62)
   Total cost: $343.98
   The website address to look at this sensor is:
   http://www.vernier.com/probes/mca-bta.html
3. The Biology and Life Science classes have requested probes/sensors to collect data from experiments done in class. We currently have one of each of the following for the instructor to demonstrate. It would be beneficial if the students could collect the data themselves.
   Carbon dioxide, CO2, sensor $249 each. A class set of 7 would be needed.
   Dissolved oxygen, O2, sensor $205 each. A class set of 7 would be required.
   BioChamber is used to place specimens and sensor in to collect data. $15/each. A class set of 7 is needed.
4. The LabQuest is a laboratory interface that bridges the gap between the scientific experiment and the analysis. Students spend their time looking at trends in the data and forming conclusions about the natural world instead of their time on collecting data. The Vernier LabQuest can be used to display and help students analyze scientific data. It could be used in physical science, physics, chemistry, biology, and earth science.
   The website address to look at this interface and it’s capabilities:
   http://www.vernier.com/labquest
   Cost: $329.00 each. We need: 8 for lab setup (4-5 students each)
   8 x $329.00 = $2632+ shipping ($78.96) and state tax % ($78.96)
   Total cost: $2901.78