Chemistry 1 and Chemistry 1 GT/Honors

The Chemistry 1 Program of Studies (POS) was revised to reflect the Virginia Chemistry Standards of Learning and the National Science Education Standards. The aligned Program of Studies was new distributed to all Fairfax County high schools and centers in the fall of 1998.

The Chemistry POS outlines the course content and required laboratory experiences for our introductory chemistry courses, Chemistry 1 and Chemistry 1 GT/Honors. In addition, the POS contains sections on assessment, model lessons, and resources.

Technology is an integral part of the study of chemistry. Chemistry 1 students complete a minimum of 20 computer or calculator-based laboratory experiments in addition to 7 traditional experiments. Computer and graphing calculator technology have enabled students to have a clearer understanding of their chemistry experiments by collecting and graphing data in real time. Simulation software enables students to study difficult chemistry concepts with graphics and interactive experiments. Chemistry students also learn Internet and other electronic research techniques and incorporate this validated, documented information into their research papers.