Experience the Difference

Curriculum Detail

Select A Department

School Level

Department

Science

Biology I

Biology I Honors

Chemistry I

Chemistry I Honors

Biology II Advanced

Chemistry II Advanced

Environmental Science

Enviromental Science Advanced

Physics I

Physics I Advanced

Physics II Advanced: Physics Application & Research

Faculty

Brianna Patterson

Science Department Chair and Upper School Science Teacher

(832) 204-5900

San Jacinto College - A.A.
University of Houston-Clear Lake - B.S.

bpatterson@emeryweiner.org

2021
Bio
Brianna has been with EWS since 2021. Prior to joining EWS, she taught AP biology, pre-AP biology, environmental science, and IPC for 11 years in a public school in the Houston area. Before becoming a teacher, Brianna was a zookeeper at the Houston Zoo. She helped hand raise baby giraffes and a baby anteater. She also tended to and trained multiple hoofed animals such as okapi, giraffe, bongo, rhinos, and tapirs. Brianna currently teaches chemistry and biology. She is passionate about her students making connections with science and how it applies to the real world. In her free time Brianna enjoys the outdoors with camping, hiking, and kayaking. She also enjoys traveling around the world, reading, knitting, and spending quality time with her friends and family.
Jaymee Harkins

Upper School Science Teacher

(832) 204-5900

Texas A&M University at Galveston - Texas A&M University at Galveston - B.S.
University of Houston Clear Lake - University of Houston Clear Lake - M.S.

JHarkins@emeryweiner.org

2023
Bio
Jaymee has been with EWS since 2023 and holds a degree in Ocean and Coastal Resources. Before teaching, she worked as a Project Engineer in dredging but left to pursue her master’s degree and a career in education. She has experience in outdoor education, working with Texas Parks and Wildlife, The Houston Arboretum, and Artist Boat.

Now teaching physics and biology, Jaymee is passionate about making STEM exciting and helping students understand how the world works and how they can improve it through scientific knowledge. She enjoys fostering curiosity and hands-on learning in her classroom.

In her free time, Jaymee loves watching movies, spending time outdoors with her family, and traveling across the country to visit loved ones.
Brandon Kirby

Upper School Science Teacher

(832) 204-5900

Prairie View A&M University - B.S.
Vanderbilt University - M.S.

bkirby@emeryweiner.org

2014
Bio
Brandon has been with EWS since 2014. Before arriving at EWS, Brandon taught in public and several private schools in Tennessee and Alabama. Brandon has taught various high school science classes, including environmental science, biology, and chemistry. In addition to teaching, Brandon has served as the sponsor for several Science Olympiad teams, assistant coach for a Trap and Skeet team, Student Government Association sponsor, and technology specialist. Formerly the Technology Department Chair and Levine Innovation Lab Coordinator, Brandon teaches various technology classes, including Computer Programming I and II, Computer Science: Java, Robotics I and II, and Principles of Technology and Design courses. Brandon also works with several student groups who’ve expressed interest in web design, game design, and other STEM projects. In his free time, Brandon enjoys archery, gardening, hunting, fishing (inland, coastal, deep sea), learning new programming languages, spending time with his family, and designing experiments for home and school.
Michele Law

Upper School Science Teacher

(832) 204-5900

Texas A&M University - B.S.

mlaw@EmeryWeiner.org

2018
Bio
Michele joined the EWS family after teaching in Houston public schools since 2010. During that time she has taught science courses from sixth to twelfth grade and founded a girls’ science club called Discover Her-izons. Michele currently teaches Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science. Outside of teaching, Michele loves to sew, bake, and travel. After college she had the opportunity to study Blue Head Wrasse in Dominica and she counts her favorite trip as traveling to the Galapagos Islands with her mom in 2009. She also thinks spending time with her husband and two kids is pretty fun.
Jon Lillehaugen

Upper School Science Teacher

(832) 204-5900

Texas Tech University - B.S.
Southern Methodist University - M.A.

jlillehaugen@EmeryWeiner.org

2018
Bio
Jon joined EWS in 2018 and teaches Physics I, Honors Physics II, and Advanced Physics. Prior to joining EWS he taught Physics, AP Physics, and Astronomy for five years at a Houston area High School. Prior to becoming a teacher, he was in banking and finance for 15 years working at two Fortune 100 companies. Jon graduated from Texas Tech with a bachelor's degree in Finance where he also earned 28 elective credits in advanced science courses. After leaving private industry to become a science teacher, Jon earned his master’s degree in Theological Studies from SMU to further his passion for understanding the intersections of science and theology. While at his previous school, he wrote the curriculum for and established an Astronomy program, a subject he loves to engage with and teach. He hopes to do the same for the students at EWS. In his free time Jon enjoys traveling, reading, spending time with his family and friends, homemade science projects, and looking at the night sky.
Abraham Yousef

Upper School Chemistry Teacher

(832) 204-5900

Sam Houston State University - B.S.
University of Kansas - Ph.D.

AYousef@emeryweiner.org

2022
Bio
Before joining The Emery/Weiner School, Abraham was a professor at Sweet Briar College and Henderson State University, where he taught general and organic chemistry, in addition to other chemistry-related courses. His research interests are in the realm of chemical education. He enjoys working with students, both in and out of the classroom. When not working, Abraham also enjoys racquetball, occasional golf, and spending time with family outdoors.

The Emery/Weiner School

9825 Stella Link Road Houston, TX 77025
Phone: (832) 204-5900 Fax: (832) 204-5910

A private, pluralistic Jewish, college-preparatory middle and high school serving grades 6-12.
Click here for more information.

Grade Level: 9th	Length of Course: 2 semesters
Prerequisite: Completion of IPC
Course Description: The Biology I course provides a survey of major foundational concepts in biological sciences. It emphasizes generalized conceptual knowledge and the integration of subject matter with day-to-day issues such as how biology influences healthcare and technology. This covers topics including but not limited to scientific methodology, mechanisms of evolution, biological diversity and taxonomy, cell structure and function, energy flow and transformation in photosynthesis and cellular respiration, classical genetics, biotechnology, and developmental biology. Calculator requirement: Graphing calculator (TI-84+) will be used in this course.

Grade Level: 9th	Length of Course: 2 semesters
Prerequisite: Completion of IPC
Course Description: Biology I Honors emphasizes concept mastery, critical thinking, and problem solving in a biological context, focusing on four unifying concepts: evolution, science as a method of inquiry, the integration of systems, and the transformation and use of energy. This course develops a large knowledge base and prepares students for an advanced science curriculum. Honors students are expected to acquire a more substantial depth of knowledge and integrate this knowledge in applied contexts in addition to developing a conceptual framework, factual knowledge base, and analytical skill set needed to deal with the challenges of an advanced curriculum. Topics include but are not limited to scientific methodology, mechanisms of evolution, biological diversity and taxonomy, basic chemistry and biochemistry, cell structure and function, energy flow and transformation in photosynthesis and cellular respiration, cellular communication, mechanisms of cell division, genetics, molecular biology, biotechnology, and body system interactions. Calculator requirement: Graphing calculator (TI-84+) will be used in this course.

Grade Level: 10th	Length of Course: 2 semesters
Prerequisite: Completion of Biology I and Algebra I or Integrated Math I
Course Description: Offering an overview of chemistry as the study of properties and interactions of matter and energy, this course emphasizes organized and logical approaches to problem solving, observation skills, analysis, and interpretation of natural phenomena through laboratory experiences. Students engage in laboratory and inquiry processes, calculations, and scientific explanations through the examination of topics including characteristics of matter, atomic structure, chemical periodicity, naming and nomenclature, chemical reactions, concentration and stoichiometry, the behavior of gases, the structure of chemical bonds, acids and bases, reaction rates and chemistry in our everyday lives. Calculator requirement: Graphing calculator (TI-84+) will be used in this course.

Grade Level: 10th	Length of Course: 2 semesters
Prerequisite: Completion of Biology I and Math II strongly recommended
Course Description: Chemistry I Honors offers an overview of chemistry as the study of properties and interactions of matter and energy, this course emphasizes organized and logical approaches to problem-solving, observation skills, analysis, and interpretation of natural phenomena through laboratory experiences. Students engage in problem-solving, laboratory and inquiry processes, calculations, and scientific explanations through the examination of topics including characteristics of matter, atomic structure, chemical periodicity, naming and nomenclature, chemical reactions, concentration, stoichiometry, the behavior of gases, chemical bonding, acids and bases, redox reactions, and reaction rates. Students will be exposed to course material that is typically encountered in a first semester college level general chemistry course, including selected math applications and an introductory unit on thermodynamics. Calculator requirement: Graphing calculator (TI-84+) will be used in this course.

Grade Level: 11th – 12th	Length of Course: 2 semesters
Prerequisite: Completion of Chemistry I and Integrated Math II; must be enrolled in Integrated Math III or higher level of mathematics concurrently
Course Description: Biology II Advanced is an exciting, challenging, and rigorous course, with a great deal of independent work. This is a college level course and covers the same information as semesters 1 and 2 of introductory college biology for biology majors. Biology II Advanced centers around four big ideas: the process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life; biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow, to reproduce, and to maintain homeostasis; living systems store, retrieve, transmit and respond to information essential to life processes; biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess complex properties. Students are expected to perform active analysis of data they accumulate during numerous laboratories. Upon completion of this course, students may opt to take AP Biology exam. Calculator requirement: Graphing calculator (TI-84+) will be used in this course.

Grade Level: 12th	Length of Course: 2 semesters
Prerequisite: Completion of Physics I and Integrated Math IV (with teacher recommendation) or Physics I Advanced
Course Description: This course seeks to apply mathematical tools to explore physical phenomena, covering content such as Fluids; Thermodynamics; Electric Forces, Fields, and Potential; Electric Circuits, Magnetism and Electromagnetism. The course also contains additional content in Quantum physics, Relativity, Astrophysics, and Stellar Dynamics. The course invests instructional time in hands-on laboratory and design work, with an emphasis on inquiry-based investigations and applying scientific practices, such as using models to communicate scientific phenomena and planning and implementing data collection strategies. Students need strong math skills for this course, which involves the use of trigonometry and vector algebra, as well as extensive manipulation of symbolic equations. Concepts from calculus can be introduced as needed. This course will engage directly with the International “Safecracking” Physics Tournament held by the Davidson Institute of Science Education in Rehovot, Israel. Students will be asked to apply the physics principles they learn in class to design lock mechanisms that utilize those principles to be unlocked. The product will be a safe with multiple locks requiring physics knowledge to “crack”. Designs will be considered by a panel of teachers and winning designs will be entered into the tournament. Invited teams will travel to Israel for the competition. Calculator requirement: Graphing calculator (TI-84+) will be used in this course.