The Agnes Irwin Upper School was one of the first schools in suburban Philadelphia to switch to a “Physics First” curriculum. Three years of science (physics, chemistry, and biology) are required for graduation. Because we teach science the way girls learn it best, with plenty of practical, yet sophisticated lab experiments that foster collaboration and communication, we are proud that 90 – 95% of each year’s senior class opts to take a fourth or fifth science during senior year. Four AP sciences (biology, chemistry, physics-C and environmental science) are offered in the junior and senior year. In addition, we offer a very popular bioethics elective that focuses on how the needs and norms of society conflicts with current medical and genetic research. Since 2002, over 25 Agnes Irwin girls with a passion for science have conducted research projects at nearby college and university labs through our Independent Science Research elective.
Through their research, a number of girls are co-authors on research papers coming from their labs. In addition, many of their projects have won awards at local and state science fairs.
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