Above Northside Parkway stands North Atlanta High School, a skyscraper of learning with an equally towering reputation. Home to the Southeast’s oldest IB program, NAHS offers both the IB Diploma and Career-Related Program. The science program stands out strong given their variety compared to other subjects. Whether you’re investigating the universal laws in IB Physics, the human-centered inquiries in IB Sports Science, or living systems in IB Biology, each IB course offers a unique lens through which to explore the world. The question, then, is how these sciences compare and what makes each one shine.
IB can be labeled as very draining for many students at North Atlanta, but it can also encourage a lot of strong traits that will aid students once they get into the real world after leaving the towering 11-story citadel. After teaching IB Sports & Exercise Science for a number of years, Tracy Joyner has seen it all. She knows not only what is needed of students to succeed in the course, but also what students will gain from the course as well. “An open mind is needed for sure, as well as commitment, given it’s a two-year course,” she said. “But taking the course is very beneficial to students wanting to major in biology, kinesiology, exercise science, or even veterinary science. They’ll gain the basics when they enter their freshman year of college.”
For the Warriors who didn’t flee from bio after ninth grade, the challenge continues in the IB halls during junior and senior year. While Sports Science appeals to athletes and kinesiology lovers, IB Biology has become the launching pad for a wave of future doctors, including Junior Jarren Griffin. “I want to become a dermatologist when I grow up, and I think learning biology now will give me a head start for when I get to college,” he said.
The most intimidating of the trio is, without a doubt, IB Physics. Earning the title of one of the most demanding science courses in the program, the course attracts students who are prepared to tackle the complex curriculum that is IB Physics. As an aspiring engineer, 11th grader, Kathrine Dixion chose this course as a stepping stone towards her future career. “I want to pursue some type of engineering as well as go to Georgia Tech,” she said.
Whether it’s the math of motion, the mysteries of life, or the mechanics of the human body, NAHS IB sciences pushes limits, sparks curiosity, and continues a legacy of academic greatness.
