John Lee Adv. Honors Biology/AP Biology/Scientific Research

Welcome to high school and to what I hope will be an exciting year! I am one of three freshman biology instructors at Central, and together, our goal is to provide a strong foundation in biological principles. We'll explore, question, and understand the "why" and "how" behind life itself. Through hands-on labs, engaging discussions, and interactive activities, you'll develop critical thinking skills and a deeper appreciation for the natural world around us. We'll cover topics such as cell structure and function, genetics, evolution, and ecology.

f you are enrolled in AP Biology, I am ecstatic that you have elected to continue building your understanding of a rapidly moving field. The goals of the class are to prepare you for the exam and give you the tools to pursue a career in a life-sciences related field. As important as these goals are, it is my hope that you will come away with a sense of how important it is to be informed as you navigate the crossroads of science and society.

Finally, for those of you coming into Scientific Research, I am excited to try something new through the course. We will partition the course into two pathways. For the majority of you, this will mean preparation for your Science Olympiad events. If this is not your thing, we will format the course as an AP Capstone-like sequence, structuring your class time for experimental design, literature review, and focusing your research problem.

If I can point to one key to success, it would be to come to class prepared to participate, ask questions, and collaborate with your peers. Science as a discipline truly comes alive when you engage with it actively.

For parents, your support is invaluable. Please encourage your student to stay organized, complete assignments, and reach out to me if they have any questions or concerns. I believe that strong communication between home and school is key to a student's success. I will regularly update grades in Skyward, push out course content in TEAMS, and send out periodic class announcements through Remind.

I'm truly looking forward to a successful and engaging year with all of you. If you have any questions before school begins or at any point during the year, please don't hesitate to contact me.