The Biology Honors Projects

The Honors Projects in Biology are designed to further explore the topics and deepen your understanding of topics discussed in class while providing you with opportunities to apply these to additional topics and concepts. As outlined in the Honors Designation Letter, you are expected to maintain a grade of B or above in the course while you progress through this material on your own. Honors designees will also meet during additional lectures and will complete individual projects that will be assessed by the biology teachers. The typical year has 5 projects including a final assessment. Typically the honors curriculum consists of 5 projects that are written by the Biology faculty and need to be completed during a several week period.

The projects are assessed in a variety of ways including internet testing, building three dimensional models, and written responses. The Biology teachers grade as a panel and the grade is pass fail. Students are allowed to fail one project but will need resubmit the work for a passing grade. Two failures will automatically remove a student from eligibility for the honors designation.

Honors Projects were first written for the 2003-2004 year by Tommie Hata with support from numerous colleagues and cooperating scientists (see acknowledgements at end of each project). From 2004 to 2006, biology teachers edited and added to these projects to reflect current and advanced topics of biology. During the 2007-2008 year, the projects are being rewritten to build upon what we believe makes a good Honors Project. The projects are challenging... but we hope that it is worth your time and that you develop a better understanding and appreciation behind the science of the concepts we discuss in class.

Links

Honors Parents Letter