OUR 4-YEAR SCIENCE PROGRAM:
BIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS, ASTROPHYSICS (H), AND AP BIOLOGY
FOR A SPECIAL STATEMENT ON STEM PRESS HERE.
ALL PHOTOGRAPHS WERE TAKEN BY OUR ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS STUDENTS
WHY ASTRONOMY?
STUDENTS DISSECT A COW’S EYE IN PHYSICS LAB IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND THE INTER-RELATEDNESS OF BIOLOGY (MUSCLES, RETINA, OPTIC NERVE), PHYSICS (LENSES AND LIGHT REFRACTION), AND ART (USE OF EXQUISITE DRAWINGS OF THE HUMAN EYE BY FRANK NETTER, M.D., WHO WROTE AND ILLUSTRATED THE CLASSIC ATLAS OF HUMAN ANATOMY)
BIOLOGY (9TH GRADE)
In the 9th grade, students will continue their previously gained knowledge of scientific process and theory to pursue and understand the Dynamics of Life. This course will serve as an introduction into the study of life, covering topics which include molecular replication and repair, cellular structure and function, genetics and heredity, evolution and adaptation, and animal form and function. Interdisciplinary topics will include the history of scientific theory and writings by prominent scientists. All students will learn relevant scientific laboratory techniques and practice these in the classroom. The course will culminate in a scientific project of the student’s choosing. For a brief overview of Biology from our teacher during back-to-school night, please press here.
CHEMISTRY (10TH GRADE)
Over the course of human history, the definition of chemistry has changed from “the study of compositions of water,” to “a scientific art by which one…exalts [dissolved bodies] to a higher perfection,” to “the study of matter and the changes it undergoes.” Despite the varying definitions, chemistry has always been a pursuit of knowledge. This same pursuit will be brought to the classroom setting as the students are taught fundamental topics in chemistry and use this knowledge to apply and pursue greater questions. Topics will include use of the Periodic Table, stoichiometry, gas laws, thermodynamics, chemical reactions, electrochemistry, biochemistry, and organic chemistry. This course will contains labs and draws heavily upon an understanding of algebraic calculations. At the end of the year, all students will produce an original experiment and report on their findings.
PHYSICS (11TH GRADE)
Physics will include Newtonʹs law of universal gravitation, Keplerʹs laws of planetary motion, Doppler effect, Rutherford‐Bohrʹs model of the atom, Planckʹs formula of a photon energy, nuclear fission and fusion, Einsteinʹs theory of relativity, and inverse‐square law for light luminosity are among topics for class discussions in the course. The emphasis will be on physics concepts, laws, and theories will allow students to understand better the nature of the physical world.
Montfort President Richard Greco teaches Astronomy as an interactive, technology-rich seminar in his office.
PHYSICS II: ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS (12TH GRADE HONORS)
"The intellect is our gift--a rational belief in the existence of a Creator and of an ordered universe. he created and governs, played a crucial role in the rise of science, in Western Culture, and in all of its great creative advances." Fr. Stanley Jaki,PhD Physics, Phd Theology, Benedictine Monk, and Guest Lecturer at The Montfort Academy.
Since the beginning of time, man has looked to the heavens. The words with which he uses to describe the universe—vast, beautiful, mysterious—are the same words he uses to describe God. For through the observation of the heavens and of creation, we grow closer to the Creator. Astronomy is therefore the oldest of the sciences and is an integral part of a classical curriculum. It brings together Philosophy, Religion, Literature, History, Mythology, Logic, Chemistry, Physics, and so much more. In the Astronomy class, we will examine the basics of Astronomy through the eyes of Physics, by examining the history of exploring the universe, electromagnetic radiation, the classification structure, and evolution of stars, and the role of multi‐wavelength astrophysics in solving the mysteries of God’s universe. Special focus will be given on the tools used in studying astronomy, most importantly the telescope, which will be used as part of the lab requirements for the course. Students will be required to use a telescope for some night time viewings, in which we will try to recreate the experiments of Galileo. Students will have use of the newly acquired, professional grade Celestron CPC 1100 11ʺ/279mm Catadioptric Telescope for period night viewings as well as daytime viewings of the sun. Our Astronomy laboratory is connected to the World Wide Telescope which brings the entire known library of astronomical photographs into our planetarium. Additionally, students in Astronomy build their own Galilean refractor telescopes.
ADVANCED BIOLOGY (12TH GRADE HONORS/AP)
The key concepts and related content that define the Advanced Biology course and exam are organized around a few underlying principles which encompass the core scientific principles, theories and processes governing living organisms and biological systems. These ideas include Evolution, Cellular Processes, Genetics and Information Transfer and Biological Systems Interactions.
METEOROLOGY, OCEANOGRAPHY, AND SUSTAINABLE CONSERVATION (12TH GRADE, NOT OFFERED EVERY YEAR)
The Montfort Academy has created a marine sciences course focused on meteorology, oceanography, marine biology, and sustainable conservation. With a combination of classroom teaching and laboratory work that takes place on a “floating classroom and laboratory” on the Long Island Sound, major areas of marine science is explored. Laboratory equipment includes a weather station, water current and conditions sensors, plankton nets and crab pots, and water chemistry analysis equipment. The Montfort Academy’s floating classroom is unique among New York high schools and will be inaugurated in September 2023.
THE MONTFORT ACADEMY’S FLOATING CLASSROOM AND LABORATORY
Students Debate Whether or Not Pluto is a Planet, February 2022.
Rooftop Observatory with 11-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain Celestron CPC 1100.
MONTFORT KNIGHT DELIVERS LECTURE TO 50 ADULTS AND CHILDREN ABOUT THE APRIL 8, 2024 TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE
International Space Station Transit of the Sun, 1.4 seconds, here in slow-motion, December 8, 2022. Video taken by Leo Greco.
The Moon and Mars in conjunction December 7 2022. Time lapse video taken by Leo Greco.
Mysterious black object on Jupiter, December 8, 2022.
COMET C/2022 E3 ZTF, The Green Comet, Time-lapse taken by Leo Greco over 50 minutes using a SVBONY SV105 on an equatorial mount telescope.