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AP Biology | 2023-24

Female Scientist

This online AP Biology class can be taken live or in an asynchronous manner. It is for high school homeschoolers who have completed both a high-school-level Biology course and a high-school-level  Chemistry course.

 

The College Board has structured AP Biology to be equivalent to two semesters of college Biology, with topics studied including the chemistry of life, cells and cell energetics, heredity, molecular genetics, evolution, diversity of organisms, structure and function of both plants and animals, and ecology.

 

This course is designed to help students:​

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  • Develop a thorough understanding of biological concepts

  • View science as a process rather than an accumulation of facts

  • Acquire personal experience in scientific inquiry

  • Recognize unifying themes that integrate the major topics of biology

  • Apply biological knowledge and critical thinking to environmental and social concerns​

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Class Details

  • AP Biology is a full-year lab-science class.

  • Tuition: $800

  • Instructor: Bekah Hilton

  • Dates: August 14, 2023 to May 16, 2024 (AP exam)

    • See our FAQ for a complete list of days, times, and breaks.

  • Synchronous or asynchronous option (choose one or the other at registration):

    • Live option: Students attend and participate in live classes weekly with cameras on: Wednesday 1-2:30 p.m. Eastern​

    • Asynchronous option: Students watch the recording of each week's live class and complete a discussion forum with their async classmates related to the week's live class content.

    • Please note:

      • The asynchronous option is NOT a self-paced class. The instructional content, assignments, and deadlines are the same for both modes.

      • Please register for one mode (sync or async) and don't switch back and forth during the year.

  • Grade level: 11th and 12th.

    • For age/grade guidelines, prerequisites, and class-fit recommendations for all classes, please see our FAQ page.

  • Prerequisites:

    • Successfully completed a high school-level Biology class and a high school-level Chemistry class.

    • Completion of Algebra 2 is not required but is highly recommended.

  • Class size: 25

  • Course materials are listed HERE.

  • Format: Students share an interactive online classroom throughout the year and meet once a week on Zoom in live classes.

    • For age/grade guidelines, prerequisites, and class-fit recommendations for all classes, please see our FAQ page.

    • Students who attend live classes are requested to keep their webcams on and participate.

    • Live classes will be recorded for those who choose to take the course asynchronously and for those who occasionally must miss a class.

    • ​Students will be actively participating in live classes-- interacting and collaborating with their classmates and the instructor.

  • This AP Biology course complies with the AP course audit and has been approved by the College Board for the 2023-24 school year.

    • On the 2023 AP Biology exam:

      • 80% of Bekah Hilton's students scored a 4 or a 5.

      • By comparison, 37% of all students globally scored a 4 or a 5.

  • All Blue Tent science courses are NCAA-approved.

 

Weekly Assignments and Collaboration

At the beginning of each week, Bekah Hilton will post a summary of topics, assignments, and supplementary resources on the online classroom.

  • The AP Biology classroom will be the course hub, where students access class material, participate in online discussions, and collaborate with their classmates.

  • Since AP Biology is a college-level course, students should expect college-level pacing. They will need to be disciplined in completing their weekly reading and assignments so they can come prepared and make the most of live classes--being ready to ask questions and discuss the week's material with the instructor and their peers.

  • The instructor will be available to answer questions throughout the week via Moodle messaging, discussion forums, or email.​

  • Students should expect to spend approximately 10 hours per week on classwork (which includes instructional videos and live class time).

 

A Variety of Resources and Labs

  • Core and Supplemental Resources

    • The textbook for this class is Biology (AP edition) by Sylvia S. Mader and Michael Windelspecht.This comprehensive textbook is designed specifically for the AP curriculum framework. All instruction and diagrams are well adapted for quick translation to notecard format and study.

    • An electronic version of the textbook will be included as part if each student's Digital Resources, and through the Blue Tent OnLoan program, students have the option to borrow a hard-copy of the class textbook for use during the year--so they have the option to utilize interactive and print resources in a manner that fits their needs and preferences.​

  • Labs, Case Studies, and Projects

    • To reinforce and extend concepts, as well as kindle scientific inquiry, a variety of labs--both hands-on and virtual--will allow students to explore and apply their learning to real-world circumstances as they make observations, construct hypotheses, collect and analyze data, and formalize conclusions.

      • A subscription to eMind virtual lab software is included in each student's Digital Resources.​

      • Since many of AP Biology's labs are virtual or research-based, the hands-on labs students perform will only require common grocery store items--with an emphasis on critical thinking and guided/independent inquiry.​​

    • ​In addition to completing virtual and wet labs, students will undertake research projects, case studies, statistical analyses, and presentations throughout the year.

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Collaborate and Enjoy!

In their online Moodle classroom, students will interact and collaborate with their instructor and peers every week. Blue Tent AP Biology is designed to be a class where advanced homeschoolers will enjoy sharing, comparing, and learning with class friends.

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