Curriculum Coordinator and Learning Strategist

Natasha Pomeroy

BEd, MEd

SNC1W

Grade 9

De-streamed

Science

Find additional course details below, including delivery format, course availability, course duration, prerequisite, tuition fee, hardware/software requirements, etc.

SNC1W

Grade 9

De-streamed

Science

Find additional course details below, including delivery format, course availability, course duration, prerequisite, tuition fee, hardware/software requirements, etc.

Course Details

Course Code

SNC1W

Course Name

Science

Grade

Grade 9

Course Type

De-streamed

Format

Asynchronous Delivery

Prerequisite

None

Tuition Fee

$500.00

Course Duration

At Your Own Pace (4 weeks to 6 months)

Credit Value

1.0

Availability

Start Anytime

Course Reviser/Developer

Dr. Karen McCloskey

Latest Revision Date

July 2026

Curriculum

SNC1W – The Ontario Curriculum, Science, Grades 9, De-streamed (2022)

Course Description, Unit Overview, Timeline

This course enables students to develop their understanding of concepts related to biology, chemistry, physics, and Earth and space science, and to relate science to technology, society, and the environment. Throughout the course, students will develop and refine their STEM skills as they use scientific research, scientific experimentation, and engineering design processes to investigate concepts and apply their knowledge in situations that are relevant to their lives and communities. Students will continue to develop transferable skills as they become scientifically literate global citizens.

Prerequisite: None

Outlined below is a description of each unit, including what students will learn and the recommended hours for completion.

Unit Title & Description

Time Allocated

Unit 1: Introduction to Science & STEM Skills

You will learn how to think and work like a scientist by asking questions, staying safe, collecting and analyzing data, recognizing bias, and using scientific literacy skills that you will build on all course long.

10 Hours

Unit 2: Sustainable Ecosystems & Climate Change

You will explore how ecosystems work, how energy and matter move through them, how climate change affects living things and communities, and how sustainability practices can help protect Earth, including Indigenous perspectives and Canadian examples.

25 Hours

Unit 3: Matter and Its Interactions

You will investigate what matter is made of by learning about atoms, the periodic table, elements, compounds, and chemical properties, while connecting chemistry to everyday life and environmental sustainability.

20 Hours

Unit 4: Electricity in Our World

You will explore how electricity works, including static and current electricity, circuits, energy transformations, and efficiency, while using simulations and virtual labs to connect electricity to real life and sustainable energy use.

20 Hours

Unit 5: Space Exploration & Earth Systems

You will examine the Sun, the solar system, astronomical phenomena, and space technologies, and you will learn how space exploration helps us understand Earth, climate systems, and life on our planet.

15 Hours

Unit 6: Review and Consolidation

You will bring together what you learned across the course, strengthen your understanding of key concepts, and practise applying your scientific thinking and skills in different contexts.

5 Hours

Final Exam/Culminating Task

You will demonstrate your overall learning from the course by applying your knowledge, inquiry skills, communication, and real-world understanding in a final evaluation.

15 Hours

Total Hours

110 Hours

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Inquiry-Based Learning: Guide students through the process of scientific inquiry by having them formulate and test hypotheses using tools such as PhET Interactive Simulations (e.g., Mystery Box Challenge).
Use of Digital Simulations and Tools: Utilize CloudLabs to engage students in virtual explorations of ecosystems, allowing them to collect and analyze data related to environmental changes.
Career Exploration: Use AI-guided tools such as CareerExplorer to help students investigate science careers and connect classroom learning to real-world applications.
Differentiated Instruction: Support students in building 3D molecular models using CloudLabs, offering varying levels of complexity based on individual readiness.
Collaborative Learning with AI Tools: Leverage AI-guided research tools to support student exploration of Canadian contributions to space exploration, simulating collaborative learning experiences.
Scaffolded Learning: Provide structured guidance as students progress through activities, gradually increasing complexity as their understanding deepens.
Integration of Cross-Curricular Themes: Use CloudLabs simulations to explore the effects of pollution on ecosystems, connecting scientific concepts with environmental and policy perspectives.
Formative Assessment with Self-Reflection: Implement formative assessments such as safety quizzes to encourage reflection on understanding and application of lab practices.
Focus on Big Ideas and Conceptual Understanding: Emphasize core scientific concepts by guiding students to analyze data, draw conclusions, and connect learning to broader principles.

Assessment and Evaluation

A wide variety of assessment and evaluation tools will be used to earn credits towards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma at Royal Ontario Academy, including quizzes, tests, projects, essays, journals, and final assessments. The final exam is a closed-book, online test that is proctored and has a time limit. Students may also be required to appear on video for other assessments in certain courses.

At Royal Ontario Academy, the final mark in every course is made up of three parts:

65% is based on coursework completed throughout the online course.
20% is based on a final evaluation.
15% is based on attendance and participation, reflecting consistent weekly engagement with the course.

Depending on the course, the final evaluation may be a proctored written exam, a culminating task such as a project, essay, or presentation, or a combination of both. Attendance and participation reflects how consistently a student engages with their learning each week, and excused absences approved by the Principal do not lower this part of the mark.

Students will receive two reports per course:

First Report (Midterm): Issued when the student reaches the halfway point of the course. It reflects achievement and development to that point, including attendance and participation.
Final Report: Reflects overall achievement and development for the entire course, including attendance and participation.

This course follows the current Growing Success requirements, including the mandatory assessment and evaluation updates that take effect in the 2026-2027 school year. According to Growing Success: Assessment, Evaluation, and Reporting in Ontario Schools, the primary purpose of assessment and evaluation is to improve student learning. To ensure that assessment, evaluation, and reporting are valid and reliable, and that they lead to the improvement of learning for all students, Royal Ontario Academy teachers use practices and procedures that:

are fair, transparent, and equitable for all students;
support all students, including those with special education needs, those who are learning the language of instruction (English or French), and those who are First Nation, Metis, or Inuit;
are carefully planned to relate to the curriculum expectations and learning goals and, as much as possible, to the interests, learning styles and preferences, needs, and experiences of all students;
are communicated clearly to students and parents at the beginning of the course and at other appropriate points throughout the course;
are ongoing, varied in nature, and administered over a period of time to provide multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate the full range of their learning;
provide ongoing descriptive feedback that is clear, specific, meaningful, and timely to support improved learning and achievement;
develop students’ self-assessment skills to enable them to assess their own learning, set specific goals, and plan next steps for their learning.

Accommodations and IEP for Students

At Royal Ontario Academy, we believe that all OSSD students can benefit from a more accommodating online learning experience Accommodations allow for increased access to the course, without any changes to the knowledge and skills the student is expected to demonstrate.

An Individual Education Plan (IEP)is a personalized document that outlines a students’ learning needs, as well as the accommodations or services they require to succeed in their courses. At Royal Ontario Academy, our flexible online learning environment already addresses many common accommodation needs, but if a student requires additional support, our Principal is ready to help you!

– Students with Existing IEP: If a student has an existing IEP from another elementary or secondary school, Royal Ontario Academy can implement the listed accommodations, provided they are applicable within our online learning environment. To do so, a copy of the students’ IEP must be submitted to our Principal for review.

– Students Without IEP: If a student requires accommodations but does not currently have an IEP, our Principal will work with the student to assess their learning needs and develop a path forward. In this case, students will need to submit supporting documentation to help determine the appropriate accommodations.

– English Language Learners:– English Language Learners: Students who enroll at Royal Ontario Academy can provide information about their English language proficiency during the registration process. This information helps our teachers and Principal to tailor their teaching strategies and implement accommodations that support English language learners effectively.

For students and parents wishing to submit IEP documentation or request accommodations, please contact our Principal at info@royalontarioacademy.com

Resources Required by the Student

Free General Resources Students Should Have Access To:

Google Docs or Microsoft Word: For writing reports, completing assignments, and documenting experiments.
Google Slides or Microsoft PowerPoint: For creating presentations related to research and projects.
Notebook: For taking notes during lessons, tracking observations during experiments, and planning investigations (physical or digital).

Resources Provided by Royal Ontario Academy Virtual High School As Necessary:

CloudLabs: Provided by the school’s subscription for virtual labs and simulations in ecosystems, chemistry, and electricity.
CareerExplorer: AI-guided exploration of science careers used in the Science Career Detective project.
Energy Star Home Energy Yardstick: For calculating and analyzing household energy consumption in the Physics unit.
Energy Star Home Energy Yardstick
Desmos or GeoGebra: Tools for math-related data visualization.
Scratch or Blockly: Free platforms for coding and modeling activities.

Optional Resources:

Stellarium: For exploration of celestial objects in the Astronomy unit.
Stellarium
MolView: For molecular modeling in the Chemistry unit.
MolView
Khan Academy: For additional practice and instructional videos across science topics.
Khan Academy Science

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is SNC1W?
SNC1W is a Grade 9 Science course at De-streamed level.

2. What are 1W – (eg: 1W in AWQ1W (SNC1W))
1W for the SNC1W refers to the grade level and the course type. 3 refers to the 9th Grade and the second digit refers to the University Preparation course type.

3. What is the prerequisite for SNC1W?
The prerequisite for Science is None

4. How long does it take to complete the SNC1W online course?
The completion of the SNC1W course varies depending on the pace of each student. However, the course can be completed in as little as 4 weeks up to a maximum of 6 months. Longer timelines are available on approval by the Principal.

5. Will my marks be sent directly to OUAC or OCAS?
Yes. We can send your SNC1W online course marks to OUAC (Ontario University’ Application Centre) or OCAS (Ontario College Application Service).

6. How lessons are delivered for the SNC1W?
At Royal Ontario Academy, course learning is asynchronously delivered for the SNC1W in various formats such as videos, question and answers, interactive tools, written notes, simulations, presentations, and external websites/links depending on the subject material of the course.

7. What is the withdrawal policy?
For students registered in Grade 9 and 10 courses, withdrawals can be made at any time and are not recorded on the Ontario Student Transcript (OST).
For students registered in Grade 9 and 12 courses, withdrawals made within 5 days of the issuance of the first (mid-term) report card from Royal Ontario Academy will result in the mark not being recorded on the Ontario Student Transcript (OST). Withdrawals after 5 days of the issuance of the first (mid term) report card will result in a “”””W”””” being entered in the “”””Credit”””” column of the OST, along with the mark at the time of withdrawal.

8. What is the due date of my course?
Since your course is self-paced, there are no set due dates, allowing you to progress at your own speed. However, please be mindful of any deadlines for university or college applications.

9. Can I earn my OSSD (Ontario secondary school diploma) credits through online courses?
Yes, you can earn your Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) credits fully online through Royal Ontario Academy. To earn OSSD credits, you will need to complete 30 credits (18 compulsory and 12 optional), pass the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test, and fulfill 40 hours of community involvement.

Canadian Course Pricing

$500

/ 1 course

$900

/ 2 courses

$1275

/ 3 courses

Start your learning journey with us.

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