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Naperville Central Science  Department
Link to course sequence and descriptions
Link to Videos of Science Course Descriptions
The video of course descriptions has a menu and plays like a DVD. Note: The menu button that reads AP Biology is really a link to ALL AP classes
Science is a comprehensive process by which we continually refine our understanding of the universe. Scientific literacy enables us to make informed, responsible decisions that affect our daily lives.
District 203 will provide an inquiry and standards based comprehensive curriculum in life science, earth and space science, and physical science. An integral part of this curriculum is to promote an understanding of the interconnections within the sciences and the interactions among science, technology, society, and the environment.
Instruction in every science classroom will model and provide opportunities for students to participate in scientific inquiry as they experience the wonders of science. A rich variety of cognitively appropriate strategies and resources will be utilized so that all students have opportunities to experience both success and challenge.
Using inquiry implies involvement that leads to understanding. The environment in every science classroom will have students actively constructing knowledge by being engaged in observing, questioning, investigating, problem solving, and predicting, evaluating, and communicating ideas.
As a result of this curriculum, instruction and environment, District 203 will graduate scientifically literate students who ask and investigate scientific questions, evaluate claims and evidence, and make responsible decisions in a rapidly changing world.
Meet the 2009-10 Science Department
Back row (l to r): Tom Sanoshy, Dan Olandese, Jennifer Norgaard, Crystal Griffith, Jeromy Bentley, Kathy Hurd, Matt Gresk, Nick DiGiovanni (above), Jaci Gentile, Becky Swiontek, Katherine Seguino, Christine Morrissey, Amy Hastings, Steve Wiesbrook
Front row (l to r): Michelle Fuentes, Megan Patterson, Jan Watson, Bob Gabler, Mike Jarvis, Flint Collier, Sarah Poletto, Amy McInerney, Lindsey Stevenson, Sean Richards (student teacher), Hans Muehsler, Dan Brown, Dominick Tapia (student teacher)
Scroll down or click on the name to learn more about each teacher or to contact them or click here to go to the course sequence and description page..
Instructional Coordinator : Katherine Seguino
Click here to email her or to link to her Share Point site
Ms. Seguino is a graduate of Benedictine College in Physics and Mathematics with an MA in Educational Leadership form University of Illinois-Champaign-Urbana. Ms. Seguino has been part of the NCHS staff since 2006. She is native of Naperville and attended Beebe, Jefferson and (sorry) NNHS. Her grandparents owned farm on Olsen Road. Currently she is an active member of Challenge Day 2009. Ms. Seguino is also a participant of Quarknet which is a high-energy physics consortium for students, teachers, and scientist at FermiLab.
Administrative Assistant: Michelle Fuentes -Click here to email her
Mrs. Fuentes is a graduate of Illinois State University with a bachelor's degree in Sociology. She joined the Naperville Central Science department at the start of the '08-'09 school year and is the "glue that holds the science department together".
Lab Coordinator: Jan Watson - Click here to email her
Jan Watson is a graduate of Western Illinois University with a B.S. in botany. She was a research technician in a plant physiology research lab at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana and at Michigan State University. She started at NCHS in 2007 as the science lab assistant and helps coordinate the science labs.
Teachers:
(Alphabetical)
Linda Bennett - Click here to email her or to link to her website
Ms. Bennett is a U of I graduate and has a Masters in Education from National-Louis University. She teaches chemistry and DES at NCHS and chemistry at the College of DuPage. She is a cosponsor of the NCHS National Honors Society, outgoing chair of American Chemical Society High School Education Committee, and lead instructor of the DuPage Boy Scout Chemistry Merit Badge workshops. She is also a three-time winner of $10,000 A+ for Energy Award grants and recieved the Hash Foundation Grant for innovations in chemistry education in 2009. Outside of school Linda is currently co-authoring a book on integrating interactive online learning in the classroom with one of her former students, is a recent student of Zen meditation, and actively follows Great Big Sea whenever her busy schedule allows.
Jeromy Bentley - Click here to email him or to link to his Share Point site
Mr. Bentley is a graduate of Illinois State University with a BS in Biological Sciences (2000), a BS in Chemistry (2000), and an MS in Organic Synthesis (2002). Mr. Bentley has been at NCHS since 2005. This year he is teaching Chemistry and Applications in Chemistry. He is also the WYSE Coach, JETS Coach, and Sophomore Class Council Advisor. Mr. Bentley also did research for the International Institute for Nanotechnology at Northwestern University and presented his findings at the 2009 National Science Teacher Association. Mr. Bentley's work has been published in Journals such as Tetrahedron: Asymmetry and the Journal of Heterocyclic Chemistry and has been presented at American Chemical Society and National Science Teacher Association conferences.
Dan Brown - Click here to email him
Mr. Brown is a graduate of Naperville Central and has a Bachelors of Science in Chemical Engineering from Northwestern University. Dan spent 6 years in the Chemical Industry as an Engineer before returning to teach Chemistry and Enriched Chemistry at Naperville Central in 2005. He has been the Head Boys Tennis Coach for 3 years after serving 2 years as an Assistant Coach.
Flint Collier - Click here to email him or to link to his Website
Mr. Collier is a graduate of the University of Illinois in Urbana with BS and MS degrees in Electrical Engineering. Mr. Collier has been at NCHS since 2006 and a teacher since 2004. Prior to becoming a teacher Mr. Collier was an engineer for 14 years and spent 4 years in the Army. Mr. Collier teaches Physics, Research and Design and DES. He also assists with the JETS and WYSE teams.
Nick DiGiovanni - Click to email him, to link to his Website or to his Share Point
Mr. D. (National Board Certified Teacher in Biology) is a graduate of U of Illinois in Urbana with an MS in Biology from Northeastern Illinois U. Mr. D. has been at NCHS since 1986. This year he is teaching Molecular Biology. He is also the Sophomore Girls' Basketball coach, Freshmen Class Council Sponsor, and Prairie Steward of our own Sportsman Park Prairie. MR. D also works with the STEP program, an intern program for NCHS and other students, at Packer Engineering in the summers.
Jaci Gentile - Click here to email her or to link to her Share Point site
Ms. Gentile received her BA from Rosary College, now Dominican University, and a MSEd from Northern Illinois University. Besides teaching in NUSC 203, Ms. Gentile taught at Westmont Senior High School and Immaculate Conception High School in Elmhurst. She started in NCUSD 203 in 1987 as the first Naperville North lab aide. After teaching at Naperville North for 10.5 years she transferred to Naperville Central in 1999. Her primary teaching responsibilities are Chemistry and Enriched Chemistry. Since 1997, Ms. Gentile has been involved with taking the NCUSD 203 Junior High students to the Late Show with David Letterman for the "Kid Scientists" segment with retired NNHS chemistry teacher Lee Marek. Naperville students have appeared more than 20 times on the Late Show with Ms. Gentile's help!
Matt Gresk - Click here to email him
Matt Gresk has been teaching at NCHS since the fall of 2004, after completing his undergraduate degree at Eastern Illinois University. He teaches students in the Ecological Biology course and the Anatomy & Physiology course. He also enjoys co-sponsoring the Rotary Interact community service club at Central. He recently completed his Master's degree in education from Rockford College.
Crystal Griffith - Click here to email her
Ms. Griffith attended the University of Tampa where she majored in marine biology, then she received a Master's degree in education from Aurora University. Ms. Griffith has been teaching biology at NCHS since 2006. This year she is teaching Ecological Biology and Molecular Biology. She also sponsors the NCHS Multicultural club, and is part of the adult staff for Naperville Operation Snowball.
Amy Hastings - Click here to email her
Mrs. Hastings is a graduate of Knox College with a double major in Biological Sciences and Educational Studies. Mrs. Hastings has been teaching at NCHS since 2005. This year she is teaching Molecular Biology, Ecological Biology and Dynamic Earth Systems. She is currently working on her Masters of Arts in Teaching with a focus in Instructional Strategies through Rockford College. Mrs. Hastings is also actively involved in NCHS Softball.
Megan Hopkins - Click here to email her.
Ms. Hopkins (Arlo-Schilling First Teacher of the Year) is a graduate of Illinois State University with a BS in Earth and Space Science Education. She is currently taking courses towards her Master of Science in Science Education through Montana State University. Mrs. Patterson has been teaching at NCHS since 2008. This year she is teaching Dynamic Earth Systems, Physical Geology, and Weather and the Environment.
Kathy Hurd - Click here to email her or to link to her website.
Dr. Hurd is a graduate of University of Illinois in Urbana with a BS in Psychology. She received her Doctorate in Optometry from the University of Missouri and has an Associate degree from College of DuPage in Computer Programming. She received her education certificate from North Central College. Dr. Hurd has been at NCHS since 2004. She taught at the University of Missouri, College of DuPage, and Downers North High School before coming to Central. This coming year she is teaching AP Biology and Ecological Biology. Dr. Hurd is the head coach for Science Olympiad.
Mike Jarvis - Click here to email him or to link to his website
Mr. Jarvis is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a BS in Geology. He earned an MS in Geoscience from Southeast Missouri State University and an M.Ed. from Whitworth College. Mr. Jarvis has been at NCHS since 2003. Prior to becoming a teacher, Mr. Jarvis worked as an environmental consultant for 3 years. Mr. Jarvis teaches AP Environmental Science, Weather and Environment and DES. He also assists with Scholastic Bowl and Junior Class Council.
Amy McInerney - Click here to email her.
Ms. McInerney is a graduate of Illinois State University with a degree in Biology Education. She has a MS. Ed in curriculum and instruction from Northern Illinois. Ms. McInerney has been at NCHS since 2005. She is teaching Molecular and Ecological Biology as well as coaching girls gymnastics.
Christine Morrissey - Click here to email her or to link to her web site
Ms. Morrissey (National Board Certified Teacher in Biology) is a graduate of Carthage College with an M.A. in Biology. Ms. Morrissey earned her M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Loyola University Chicago. Ms. Morrissey has been at NCHS since the 2008-2009 school year. Ms. Morrissey taught one year at Woodstock HS, five years at Neuqua Valley HS, and three years at Braden River HS in Florida before she moved back to the area to teach at NCHS. This year she is teaching Ecological Biology and General Chemistry. She will also be coaching the JV girls' tennis team and will be a co-sponsor for Science Olympiad.
Hans Muehsler -Click here to email him or to link to his Share Point site
Mr. Muehsler has a B.S. in Physics and a B.S. in Physics Education from Illinois State University. He also holds an M.S. in Physics from Northern Illinois University. Mr. Muehsler is presently pursuing a second master degree in Education Research and Assessment with an emphasis in Advanced Quantitative Methods, also from Northern Illinois University. Mr. Muehsler has been at NCHS since 2003. Mr. Muehsler teaches Enriched Physics, Advanced Physics, and AP Physics C. He is also an FMP faculty sponsor. Mr. Muehsler also coaches the Scholastic Bowl team.
Jennifer Norgaard - Click here to email her
Mrs. Norgaard is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh with a Bachelor of Science in Earth Science Education. She taught for four years in southern Wisconsin before returning to her alma mater, NCHS, in the fall of 2005. Since returning, Mrs. Norgaard has also earned a Master of Liberal Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University in River Forest. She is also an assistant coach for girls' cross country in the fall and girls' track in the winter/spring.
Dan Olandese - Click here to email him or to link to his Share Point site
Mr. Olandese has a Bachelor's Degree in Biology from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and a Master's Degree in Teaching and Leadership from Trinity International University in Deerfield, IL. Prior to teaching he worked at Alexian Brothers Hospital as a Lab Tech Assistant, and spent three years working for Abbott Laboratories as a Lab Tech working on the ARCHITECT blood analyzer. Mr. Olandese came to NCHS in 2008. He teaches Ecological Biology and Dynamic Earth Sciences.
Sarah Poletto - Click here to email her or to link to her Share Point site
Mrs. Poletto is a graduate of U of Illinois with a BS in Physics. She is pursuing a Master of Science in Science Education through Montana State University and will complete that degree in July 2010. Mrs. Poletto has been at NCHS since 2006. During the 2009-2010 school year she is teaching Dynamic Earth Systems and Enriched Physics.
Tom Sanoshy - Click here to email him
Mr. Sanoshy teaches both Physics and Dynamic Earth Systems. He graduated from Illinois State University in May '06 with a degree in physics education and began teaching here at NCHS. He currently coaches freshman football in the fall and is the boy's track and field throws coach.
Lindsey Stevenson - Click here to email her
Ms. Stevenson is excited to be teaching DES and chemistry at NCHS. This is her first year at NCHS, but her second year teaching. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Rebecca Swiontek - Click here to email her
Ms. Swiontek has been at Naperville Central since fall of 2002. She graduated from Northern Illinois University with a degree in biology, minor in chemistry and a Masters in curriculum and instruction from NIU in the fall of 2006. She has helped develop curriculum in Chemistry, Ecological Biology, Anatomy and Physiology and Biotechnology Applications. Ms. Swiontek teaches Anatomy & Physiology, Biotechnology and Ecological Biology as well as sponsoring the Rotary Interact Club.
Steve Wiesbrook - Click here to email him or to link to his Share Point site
Mr. Wiesbrook has been a member of the Science Department at NCHS since 1985. He currently teaches Enriched Chemistry and AP Chemistry. His undergraduate degree is from North Central College, where he majored in Chemistry and in Mathematics. He has a Masters of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of Illinois–Chicago. He is also the Head Coach of the Boys Track & Field program at NCHS.
Link to course sequence and descriptions
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