The Center for Environmental and Natural Sciences (CENS) specialty program at Freedom High School offers a rigorous four-year program of studies designed to include strong laboratory and field investigation components. An enriched and interdisciplinary curriculum helps students gain a greater understanding of the connection between scientific and other academic areas.
The program emphasizes interactive science research and projects that make use of the on-site CENS lab, greenhouse, aquarium, diverse habitats, and wet pond. Students participate in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, including community service, and will become involved with business and community partnerships that enhance their understanding of environmental and natural sciences.
Programs of Study
The program of studies includes a sequence of required CENS science courses, pre-AP/AP English and History and Social Studies courses, and a strong mathematics sequence.
Environmental Engineering CENS Pathway
- Grade 9: Biology I & Introduction to Engineering Design (PLTW)
- Grade 10: Advanced Earth Science & Civil Engineering and Architecture (PLTW)
- Grade 11: Chemistry & Principles of Engineering (PLTW)
- Grade 12: Physics & Engineering Design and Development (PLTW)
Additional Elective Options
- Probability and Statistics
- AP Statistics
- Production Systems
***Please note that the Introduction to Engineering course is the first year in Project Lead the Way and will be offered in 21-22. All other PLTW courses will phase in during the following school years.
Environmental Engineering CENS Certificate
- Grade 9: Advanced Biology & Introduction to Engineering Design (PLTW)
- Grade 10: Advanced Chemistry & Civil Engineering and Architecture (PLTW)
- Grade 11: Principles of Engineering (PLTW)
- Grade 12: Engineering Design and Development (PLTW)
Recommended CENS Courses
(CENS Certificate Candidates Must Take 2 During 11th & 12th Grade):
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- AP Environment Science
- AP Biology
- AP Chemistry
- Biology Dual Enrollment (DE) I
- *Biology Dual Enrollment (DE) II
- Biology II: Ecology
- Biology II: Survey
- Chemistry II: Forensic Science
- Oceanography
Additional Requirement for CENS Certificate: 40 Hours of Community Service
Additional Elective Options
- Probability and Statistics
- AP Statistics
- Production Systems
*Biology Dual Enrollment (DE) I is a pre-requisite for Biology Dual Enrollment (DE) II
Environmental Science CENS Merit
- Grade 9: Advanced Biology
- Grade 10: Advanced Chemistry
- Grade 11: AP Biology (or DE Biology I)
- Grade 12: AP Environmental Science and 1 CENS Elective
CENS Elective Courses
CENS Merit Must Take 2 During 11th & 12th Grade
- AP Biology
- AP Chemistry
- Biology Dual Enrollment (DE) I
- *Biology Dual Enrollment (DE) II
- Biology II: Ecology
- Chemistry II: Forensic Science
- Oceanography
Additional Requirements
- Participation in the County Science Fair
- 80 hours of Community Service over 4 years
*Biology Enrollment (DE) I is a pre-requisite for Biology Dual Enrollment (DE) II
Environmental Science CENS Medal
- Grade 9: Advanced Biology
- Grade 10: Advanced Chemistry
- Grade 11: AP Biology or DE Biology I and 1 CENS Elective
- Grade 12: AP Environmental Science and 1 CENS Elective
CENS Elective Courses
CENS Medal Must Take 2 During 11th & 12th Grade
- AP Biology
- AP Chemistry
- Biology Dual Enrollment (DE) I
- *Biology Dual Enrollment (DE) II
- Biology II: Ecology
- Chemistry II: Forensic Science
- Oceanography
Additional Requirements
- Participation in the County Science Fair
- 1 Science Fair/Competition required for CENS Medal
- 80 hours of Community Service over 4 years
*Biology Enrollment (DE) I is a pre-requisite for Biology Dual Enrollment (DE) II
Virginia High School League Eligibility
Rising ninth-grade students who transfer to a school to participate in a specialty program will be eligible to participate in VHSL-sponsored activities. Rising tenth and eleventh-grade students who transfer to any specialty program shall be ineligible to participate in VHSL-sponsored activities for 365 days unless there is a corresponding change of address in accordance with VHSL Regulation 28a-7-1. For additional information, please refer to PWCS Regulation 721.2.
Transportation
Transportation services for students who reside outside the boundaries of the specialty program school will be provided via a network of express bus stops.
Transportation requests, including the selection of a specific express stop, must be returned to the school with the specialty program application.
The transportation request process must be repeated each year the student is enrolled in the specialty program. Parents have the responsibility to provide transportation to and from express bus stops.
CENS Brochure For Program Information
CENS students participate in a clean-up of FDHS pond. As students picked up litter, items were classified as trash or recyclables, tallied, and weighed.
CENS students adopt Freedom's Pond and learn about storm water drainage with help from PWC Water and Soil Conservation District and the Dept. of Public Works
CENS students turn old pickle barrels into rain barrels with help from Friends of the Occoquan
CENS students reuse milk cartons from the cafeteria to plant seedlings using Freedom's Greenhouse
CENS students enjoy nature at Meadowood Park