We believe that chemistry is a process and a perspective; not a collection of facts and stories. Thus, we value our students developing a sense of the scientific method, an ability to analyze and a need to base opinion upon evidence.

We do not value as highly your ability to memorize information. Many students in this world are taught that there is a right and a wrong, and therefore have little need to develop opinions from evidence. We believe that the ability to formulate and modify models based upon evidence is a most important goal of the school system. Since we don’t know the truth, we are unable to emphasize the right answer. Instead, we evaluate how well the answers fit the evidence, and how well the analysis and presentation of evidence leads to appropriate conclusions.

We realize that this reliance upon evidence makes learning more difficult, but that, in itself, may signify that it is more meaningful.

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