Programs
Academic Program

Science

About the Program

Archer’s Science department actively cultivates a community of empowered young scientists who embrace the wonders of the natural world, engage in scientific inquiry, and think critically to develop a deep understanding of scientific phenomena, and apply their knowledge to address real-world challenges.

Using an inquiry-based approach to learning, we engage our student scientists in:
  • Asking questions and defining problems
  • Developing and using models
  • Planning and carrying out investigations
  • Analyzing and interpreting data
  • Using mathematics and computational thinking
  • Constructing explanations and designing solutions
  • Engaging in argument from evidence
  • Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
Across all grade levels, we foster a culture of curiosity, fearless exploration, growth, collaboration, and innovation, ultimately preparing our students to become informed global citizens and future leaders in the fields of science and beyond.

STEM at Archer



Department Chair

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  • Photo of Hanna Robertson

    Hanna Robertson 

    Science Department Chair
    310-873-7081

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  • Engineering and Design: 6th-12th Grade

    Archer’s Integrated Design and Engineering Arts (IDEA) program engages students in hands-on activities that help students synthesize knowledge across educational domains and develop robust problem-solving skills. This integrated approach augments what students learn in science and math with creativity-building exercises and practical experience applying new technical skills, analytical techniques, and real-world problem-solving methods.

    At Archer, we believe that engineering education uniquely engages curiosity, builds capabilities, and grows confidence in ways that will serve our students throughout their lives regardless of their chosen professions. Therefore, we offer a wide range of engineering challenges and design thinking exercises starting in 6th grade and continuing through our Upper School curriculum, including enrichment activities in our core science classes, computer science, and dedicated courses in engineering and design.
  • Laying the Foundation: 6th-8th Grade

    Archer’s Middle School science curriculum teaches the foundations of inquiry and investigation within the big ideas surrounding the Earth, life, and physical sciences. Our hands-on approach gives all students the room to ask questions, test their own hypotheses, and learn to take risks by embracing failure as part of the learning process. Students gain confidence in their ability to explore new ideas and tackle difficult problems that would otherwise seem insurmountable.

    Each year, every Middle School student puts her scientific prowess to the test by participating in Archer’s Little Science Inquiry Symposium (Lil’ SIS), in which students have the opportunity to apply the scientific method to conduct their own student-driven research. Projects explore the fields of environmental, biological, physical, and chemical sciences, and the results of the students’ work are presented in a Middle School Science Symposium.
  • Physics First Approach: 9th-12th Grade

    Archer’s science curriculum is centered around a Physics First approach, as recommended by the American Association of Physics Teachers. Every 9th grade student takes physics, which helps develop their problem-solving and critical thinking skills for success in chemistry and biology. Physics prepares students for chemistry by introducing them to concepts of electrostatics and energy. Additionally, our students are also more prepared to tackle the complex concepts in biology, such as the structure and function of macromolecules and DNA replication, both of which require a background in chemistry.

    Archer’s elective science courses, offered primarily in 11th and 12th grade, allow students to delve deeper into a variety of subjects, including anatomy and physiology, environmental science, advanced topics in physics, or honors research in science and engineering. These year-long courses focus on the application of the sciences, giving our girls the freedom to deepen their scientific understanding through a hands-on, student-centered approach. Students explore these subjects with the help of faculty members whose pedagogical skill, content expertise, and cognitive empathy inspires them to excel at their highest potential.

Course Offerings

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  • Science 6: Planetary Science

  • Science 7: Life Science

  • Science 8: Environmental Science

  • Conceptual Physics

  • Conceptual Physics Honors

  • Chemistry

  • Chemistry Honors

  • Biology

  • Biology Honors

  • Computation Physics Honors

  • Computational Chemistry Honors

  • Systems Biology and Disease

  • Salt, Sugar, Fat (ISP)

  • Sustainable Living and Design

  • Research in Science or Engineering Honors I

  • Research in Science or Engineering Honors II

  • Advanced Methods in Science Research

The Archer School for Girls admits students of any race, color, religion, national and ethnic origin, sexual orientation or other legally protected status to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national and ethnic origin, sexual orientation or other legally protected status in its hiring or in the administration of its educational policies and programs, admissions policies, financial aid programs or other school-administered programs. 

The Archer School for Girls’ mission is to educate students in an environment specifically designed for girls. As such, the school will consider any candidate for admission who identifies as a girl. Once admitted to Archer, all students in good academic standing who abide by Archer’s code of conduct and who meet requirements for graduation will be eligible to receive an Archer diploma, regardless of any change in sexual identity or other legally protected status.