| General
Information
The Millbrook High School Science
Department is proud to offer a wide variety of core
and elective science courses. We recommend planning
out your science course selections when you enter
Millbrook and to not decide as you go. College
bound students should strive to exceed minimum college
admission requirements. That said, be cautious not
to overextend yourself. Earning an "A"
in regular physics looks much better than a "D"
in honors.
Please note important information,
such as courses that have End-of-Course State Exams
and what courses must be taken before enrolling
in advanced classes. All students are required to
successfully complete an Earth/Environmental course,
a Biology course and a Physical Science course (Chemistry,
Physics or Physical Science). Elective courses may
be taken at any time. Visit Meet
the Teachers for individual teacher web sites
and e-mail address. All teachers have web sites
at blackboard.wcpss.net.
|
|
Science
Courses
- The following courses are being offered
Fall 2004 and/or Spring 2005
(Bold courses have End of Course State
Exam.) |
- Earth
Science
- Honors
Earth Science
- AP
Environmental Science
- Astronomy/Marine
Science
- Forensic
Science
|
- Biology
- Honors
Biology
- AP
Biology
- Anatomy/Physiology
- Honors
Anatomy/Physiology
|
- Physical
Science
- Chemistry
- Honors
Chemistry
- AP
Chemistry
|
- Physics
- Honors
Physics
- AP
Physics
|
|
Click
on the following to view the official Standard
Course of Study for Science, Grades 9 - 12,
from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
|
|
Building
Better Study Skills
Jonathan wants to improve his grades from C’s
to B’s. He pays attention in class, but studying is tough for
him. When test time comes, he doesn’t feel like he’s ready.
What can he do? High schoolers need good study skills to
organize, review and remember information. Improving these
skills can help students get better grades. Share these study
tips with your teen.
Focusing on
important ideas
Encourage your teen to focus on what the teacher
discusses and writes on the board. When she’s reading at home,
she should pay attention to the titles that divide each chapter.
These titles help point out main ideas in the text. Also, have
her look over past homework assignments.Making
study time count
Setting aside study time every day is important.
Most students remember more by reviewing in shorter, daily
sessions. Your high schooler should divide big projects into
small goals. Example: He could study one chapter a night for a
week instead of all five chapters the night before a test.
Dealing
with distractions
It’s natural for a teen’s mind to wander
while studying. Encourage your high schooler to control stray
thoughts by writing them down and setting them aside until
later. This helps clear her mind and puts the focus back on her
work. She can review the thoughts after she finishes studying.
When it comes to study techniques, it’s important for your
teen to find methods that work – and turn them into habits. |
| Faculty
|
|
Lou McKeand - Department
Head
Degree(s) & Awarding University: BS, N.C.
State University
Email: lmckeand@wcpss.net
Website: http://blackboard.wcpss.net
Subject Area(s): Academic and Honors Chemistry; Wildcat Prep
MHS Activities: Department Chair Science Department; Chair Chemistry Curriculum Team; Treasurer for Millbrook Faculty Social Committee
Started
at Millbrook: 1989 |
Personal
Bio :My hometown is Indianapolis, Indiana. I am married and have 4 children (2 daughters/2 sons) and 4 grandchildren (2 girls/ 2 boys). Some of my hobbies are boating, fishing and playing with my grandkids. All of my teaching experience, including student teaching, has been at MHS.
|
|
Wendy Edwards
Degree(s) & Awarding University: BS Geology, Minor Chemistry
UNC-Chapel Hill
AP Environmental Science 2009 Summer Assignment - DUE AUGUST 25 for ALL students
Email: wedwards2@wcpss.net
Web site:http://blackboard.wcpss.net
Subject Area(s): Academic Earth Science, Honors Earth Science
MHS Activities: JV Softball
Started
at Millbrook: |
Personal
Bio : My hometown is Greensboro, NC. In addition to teaching at Millbrook, I am also the JV softball coach. I am married and enjoy anything involving sports or the outdoors. GO HEELS! |
|
| 
|
Eric Hood
Degree(s) & Awarding University: BS, NC State University
Email: ehood2@wcpss.net
Website: http://blackboard.wcpss.net
Subject Area(s): Chemistry and Physics
MHS Activities: Curriculum Team Leader
Started at Millbrook: 1998 |
|
Personal
Bio : I grew up in Buies Creek, North Carolina. I am married to a wonderful lady (Amy), have two sons (Ben-3 and Nate-2) and have a dog named Zoe. I enjoy all types of sports (especially golf), watching movies and sporting events, and spending time with my friends and family, but mostly, I chase after a two and three year old!
|
| 
|
Brian Murphy
Degree(s) & Awarding University: BS Wildlife Biology, North Carolina State University, N.C. Teacher Certification, East Carolina University
Email: bmurphy@wcpss.net
Class Websites :
Subject Area(s): Physical Science, Earth Science
MHS Activities: MHS Webmaster, Wildcat Academy, Recycling Coordinator, Earth Science Curriculum Team
Started At Millbrook: 1994 |
Personal
Bio: After almost 20 years in the restaurant
industry, returned to college for teacher certification
in 1994. Transplanted from Hartsdale, NY a LONG
time ago, I love North Carolina outdoors, spending
time camping, birding, kayaking and gardening
whenever possible. I have three grown children
and one grandson. My daughter runs a horse operation in Knightdale, my youngest son works at a local veternarian hospital and my older son is presently with the USMC in Okinawa, Japan. (Iraq tour - Aug08-Apr09 )
|
| 
|
Lisa Siegerman
Degree(s) & Awarding University: BS University of
Pittsburgh
DC Northwestern College of Chiropractic
NC Teacher Certification -NC State University
Email: lsiegerman@wcpss.net
Web site :http://blackboard.wcpss.net
Subject Area(s): Honors Earth Science Honors Anatomy and Physiology Forensic Science
Started at Millbrook: |
|
Personal Bio : I am from Southern California
and I have three daughters and we are all Girl Scouts. I enjoy cooking and camping.
I have taught at Green Hope High School and Southern High School.
|
| 
|
Matt Spottswood
Degree(s) & Awarding University: BA, Ball State University
Email: mspottswood@wcpss.net
Web site :http://blackboard.wcpss.net
Subject Area(s):Honors and Academic Earth
Science
Started
at Millbrook: 2005 |
Personal Bio : I come from a wide range of different places, but I now call Raleigh my home. This is my fourth year teaching at Millbrook, and I am loving it. I enjoy spending time in the outdoors, camping, rafting, hiking etc. I recently got married. I also enjoy playing sports, however soccer is my first love. My other hobbies include playing guitar and jamming with my friends, music is one of my true passions.
Thanks to coach Schneidewind, I have had the opportunity to start coaching, and it has been a blessing to work with such great kids. I look forward to many years at Millbrook, one day hopefully as an administrator.
|
|
|
Steven Wolf
Degree(s) & Awarding University: Bachelors of Science in Education from Central Michigan University
Email: swolf@wcpss.net
Blackboard Website: http://blackboard.wcpss.net
Subject Area(s): Honors and Academic Earth Science, Marine/Astronomy
MHS Activities (clubs, sports, etc.): Indoor/Ooutdoor Track & Field Assistant Coach
Started At Millbrook: 2006 |
Personal Bio:I am recently new to the Raleigh area and North Carolina . I am originally from Detroit , Michigan where I grew up and spent most of my life. I attended Central Michigan University on a track scholarship where I studied Earth Science and Physical Education. I have two sisters, a brother-in-law, and a beautiful niece named Vanessa. My hobbies include track and field, playing basketball, kinesiology and going hiking/camping. I enjoy being physically active and consider it a true passion. Another passion of mine is coaching. I enjoy sharing my knowledge of track & field as well as the biomechanics of athletics with others. I look forward to teaching and coaching at Millbrook High School .
|
|
|
Jordan Trull
Degree(s) & Awarding University: Bachelor of Arts in Biology, University of North Carolina at Asheville, Asheville, NC, December 2002, Master of Arts in Teaching Biology, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, May 2006
Email:jtrull2@wcpss.net
Blackboard Website: http://blackboard.wcpss.net
Subject Area(s): Academic Biology, Honors Biology
MHS Activities: Scholarship Committee
Started At Millbrook: Fall 2007 |
Personal Bio: I am originally from the Asheville, NC area. I moved to Raleigh in July of 2007 because it was simply time for a change. Before teaching I was a manager for The Home Depot but, it just wasn’t what I was meant to do. Since I left the corporate world I have assisted in a program at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, taught summer sessions at Western Carolina University, and spent several years teaching at my high school alma mater. For personal enjoyment I travel, frequent the lake, and trout fish. I look forward to working with your children in my years to come at Millbrook! |
|
|
|
David Vallett
Degree(s) & Awarding University: Bachelor of Arts in Biology (Marine) , UNC Wilmington; Master of Arts in Teaching (Science), UNC Wilmington.
Email: dvallett@wcpss.net
Blackboard Website: http://blackboard.wcpss.net
Subject Area(s): Physical Science, Biology
MHS Activities: Assistant Football, JV Girl's Basketball
Started At Millbrook: 2007-2008
|
Personal Bio: I recently relocated to Raleigh after 11 years in Wilmington, 4 of which were spent teaching in Brunswick and New Hanover Counties. I look forward to becoming a part of the Millbrook community. |
|
|
Michel Weston
Degree(s) & Awarding University: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Email: mweston@wcpss.net
Blackboard Website: http://blackboard.wcpss.net
Subject Area(s): Academic Biology, Honors Earth Science
MHS Activities: none at this time
Started At Millbrook: 2007 |
Personal Bio: I am so excited to be a new addition to the MHS community. I bring with me a love of the sciences and outdoors. I am originally from Oklahoma, but have recently moved from Wisconsin and look forward to finding the good camping and hiking spots this part of the country has to offer. I also have a background in organic vegetable farming and a strong interest in local food systems. Go Badgers! |
|
|
Jessica George
Degree(s) & Awarding University: BS in Biology from NC State
Email: jgeorge2@wcpss.net
Blackboard Website: http://blackboard.wcpss.net
Subject Area(s): Biology
MHS Activities:
Started At Millbrook: 2007 |
| Personal Bio: I grew up in Mt. Airy, NC but moved to Raleigh to go to NC State and decided to make Raleigh my home. I enjoy being outside and spend a lot of time out on the lake or at the beach. I also like to read and enjoy scrapbooking. I am excited to be a part of the Millbrook community.
|
|
|
Pierre deSt. Croix
Degree(s) & Awarding University :
BA & Teacher Certification - University of California, Davis
Geology with Minor in Education
MA - Geoscience Education from University of California, Davis
Email: pde-st-croix @wcpss.net
Web site : http://blackboard.wcpss.net
Subject Area(s) : Academic & Honors Earth Science; Astronomy & Marine Science
Started at Millbrook: 2008 |
|
| Personal Bio: I am originally from California and I enjoy rock climbing, cycling and sea kayaking. I have taught middle school in California and Virginia. |
|
|
Ronetta Lyons
Degree(s) & Awarding University:
Email:
Blackboard Website: http://blackboard.wcpss.net
Subject Area(s):
MHS Activities:
Started At Millbrook: Fall 2008 |
|
| Personal Bio: A native North Carolinian and graduate of East Carolina University, I began my teaching career in Pitt County. I then taught for several years in Wilson County before moving to Raleigh and joining the Millbrook family. I am the proud mother of two beautiful and energetic daughters, Gabbi and Jordan. I am also an avid reader and lover of all sports, especially football…Go Pirates!! |
|
|
Phyllis Muller
Degree(s) & Awarding University:
Email:
Blackboard Website: http://blackboard.wcpss.net
Subject Area(s):
MHS Activities:
Started At Millbrook: Fall 2009 |
|
| |
| |
|
Will King
Degree(s) & Awarding University:
Email:
Blackboard Website: http://blackboard.wcpss.net
Subject Area(s):
MHS Activities:
Started At Millbrook: Fall 2009 |
|
| |
|
