St. John's Science Department provides students with the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the natural world around them. Through an emphasis on collaboration, inquiry, and critical thinking, we seek to both provide the necessary skills for and inspire students to pursue higher education in the fields of science and technology. 
  
Our science courses meet in the Kimsey Science and Technology Center, designed in consultation with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The Kimsey Center includes five wet labs, three dry labs, six traditional classrooms and a computer lab. Within these state-of-the-art facilities, we provide students with cutting-edge equipment and probeware designed to interact with the 1:1 iPad program. 

Course Offerings

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Honors Anatomy and Physiology
  • Honors Biology
  • Honors Chemistry
  • AP Biology
  • AP Chemistry
  • AP Physics 1
  • AP Physics C
  • AP Environmental Science
  • Astronomy
  • Marine Biology
  • Topics in Chemistry
  • Topics in Physics

Course Requirements

Students are required to take biology, chemistry, and physics in their first three years at St. John’s. Students approved for Advanced Placement course may substitute that course in place of physics. Although only three years of science are required, 90% of our students elect to take a fourth year, with more than 15% taking five classes in their four years at SJC. 
  
The Science Department provides opportunities to succeed for students of all skill levels. In addition to the general level classes, we also offer topics, honors, and Advanced Placement courses. Topics classes are designed for students who require additional reinforcement of math skills, while honors and AP courses provide a more rigorous curriculum that prepares students for upper-level college science courses. 

Extracurricular Opportunities

ROBOTICS TEAM 
The St. John’s Robotics Team competes in the U.S. First Regional Robotics Competition against other national and international teams. The Robotics Team meets weekly throughout the fall and daily in January and February to facilitate the design and construction of their team’s competitive robot. Any student with a passion for building, tinkering, or programming should investigate the team's opportunities. SJC Robotics also has a direct correlation to engineering careers for students who would like to study that field.  

ECO CLUB 
Members plan and implement green initiatives on campus, coordinate Earth Day activities, and help prevent colony collapse disorder by monitoring and maintaining St. John’s local beehives. Students meet in an Eco Club–dedicated homeroom.

S.H.R.E.D. CLUB
Students promote eco-mindedness and help preserve natural resources by coordinating the St. John’s recycling program.

Science Faculty

List of 12 members.

  • Photo of Tom Iannacone

    Tom Iannacone 

    Department Chair, Science; Honors Biology
    202-363-2316 x1964
    Wagner College - B.S.
  • Photo of Connor Bliss

    Connor Bliss 

    AP Physics C, Physics
    202-363-2316 x1959
    University of Notre Dame - B.S.
    University of Notre Dame - M.Ed.
  • Photo of Seth Brown

    Seth Brown 

    Biology, Marine Biology
    202-363-2316 x1955
    Salem International University - B.S.
    Salem International University - M.B.A.
    Salem International University - M.Ed.
  • Photo of Carlos Diaz

    Carlos Diaz 

    Biology, Chemistry
    202-363-2316 x1960
  • Photo of Ian Guch

    Ian Guch 

    Honors Chemistry, Topics in Chemistry
    202-363-2316 x1919
    University of California, Santa Barbara - B.A.
    Washington Theological Union - M.A.
  • Photo of David Hovan

    David Hovan 

    AP Physics 1, Physics
    202-363-2316 x1963
    University of Maryland - B.A.
    University of Maryland - B.S.
    Johns Hopkins University - M.S.Ed.
    University of Maryland - M.Ed.
  • Photo of Dean Howarth

    Dean Howarth 

    Astronomy, Physics, Topics in Physics
    202-363-2316 x1996
    Virginia Tech - B.S.
  • Photo of Brian McCarthy

    Brian McCarthy 

    AP Environmental Science, Chemistry
    202-363-2316 x1952
    Catholic University - B.A.
    University of Maryland - M.S.
  • Linda  Nguyen 

    AP Biology, Biology
    202-363-2316 x1958
    University of Southern California - B.S.
    University of Southern California - M.A.
  • Photo of Lizanne Passaro

    Lizanne Passaro 

    Chemistry
    202-363-2316 x1950
  • Photo of Connor Richardson

    Connor Richardson 

    Biology, Honors Anatomy and Physiology
    202-363-2316 x1957
    Harvard University - B.A.
    University of Notre Dame - M.Ed.
  • Photo of Evan Wolfe

    Evan Wolfe 

    AP Chemistry, Honors Chemistry
    202-363-2316 x1956