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Christine Rains

Christine Rains, co-owner and instructor of Quest in Science, is an experienced teacher who brings science to life for her students and creates a fun classroom atmosphere by promoting questions and discussion. Christine earned a bachelor’s degree in Physics from Scripps College in Claremont, CA and a master’s degree in Geophysics from California State University, Northridge. She also has a bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from CSUN. She has been teaching elementary through college for many years, and currently teaches physics and astronomy at several local community colleges. She also spent several years working at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA, on the REASON instrument on the Europa Clipper spacecraft that is heading to Jupiter’s moon, Europa. She has been working with Quest in Science since the early 2000’s teaching hands-on science to elementary school children throughout Los Angeles and became co-owner in 2011. In 2018, she welcomed her good friend and colleague Debbie Walker onto the Quest team as co-owner. At Quest in Science, we are passionate about providing quality science education to young learners. Quest in Science lessons encourage students to observe, measure, collect and analyze data, make hypotheses, and draw conclusions. Hands-on science to us means teaching based on activities that engage a student’s mind and hands to make science fun, interesting, exciting, and challenging. Christine Rains is excited to bring Quest in Science to the students and families of HuckleBerry Center for Creative Studies and looks forward to a great year!

High School Biology AG + Labs

Required text: Miller & Levine Biology 2019

This is a one year class.


Materials fee:  The $75 materials fee covers the cost of all lab supplies for the year.  We order lab kits upon student registration, so please note that the fee is non-refundable.


Homework: Students will need to read the relevant textbook sections prior to class.  If a lab is not completed during class time, the student will need to complete that lab on their own time.  Study groups are encouraged to review chapters together and complete any unfinished lab work from the class.


NOTE:  Students will need to complete a summer assignment prior to classes starting in September to meet their charter school learning period requirements.

Welcome to Biology class!  In this course, you will learn both the basics and the latest advances in the field of biological sciences.  This class is designed to be a year in length.  Within the 2 hour class period, we will have interactive lecture time as well as wet/dry labs.  Students should read from their book prior to class so that we can use this time to answer any questions and solidify the content of that chapter.  A student who comes to class with a list of their questions is a student prepared to succeed!

The class will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and concepts of biology, as well as fulfill the requirements for High School Biology Credit.  We will be integrating the course guide presented by Blue Ridge for AG NGSS Life Science: this class will include lectures, labs, homework, weekly quizzes, a mid-term, a final exam, and 2 portfolio checks.  Parents and students must work with their ES to ensure that all charter school requirements are being fulfilled by this class.  If you have any concerns about this, please contact us with your ES's syllabi so that we can ensure AG requirements are being met, or contact us to receive a full syllabus for this class.  We welcome feedback to ensure that all charter schools are supported by this class.

This will be a rigorous course, but one designed to foster curiosity in each student.  Our instructor brings a love and excitement for science that we hope will encourage a lively classroom environment where discussion and exploration flourish.


Unit Breakdown
LP1 Unit 1 Macromolecules (Skills + Assignment + 2 labs) - Introduce students to the structure and function of macromolecules found in living organisms.

Assignment and Labs:

  • Differentiating Between Biotic vs Abiotic Factors

  • Identifying Nutrients Lab

  • Light Microscope Lab

LP2 Unit 2 Cellular Structure (Skills + Assignment + 2 labs) - Students will learn the fundamental components and organization of cells.

Assignment and Labs

  • 3-D model of an animal or plant cell

  • Diffusion across a semipermeable membrane

  • Cell Differentiation Lab

LP 3 Unit 3 Cellular Energy - (Skills + Assignment + 2 labs) - Students will learn the process of cellular energy through respiration and photosynthesis.

Assignment and Labs:

  • Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration Drawing

  • Photosynthesis Lab

  • Cellular Respiration and Anaerobic Fermentation Lab (Barf Bag)

LP 4 Unit 4 Biology’s Central Dogma (Skills + Assignment + 2 labs + Portfolio check + midterm) - This unit focuses on the principles of molecular genetics, DNA replication, transcription, translation.

Assignment and Labs:

  • Chromosomal Disorders Project

  • Protein Synthesis Lab

  • DNA Extraction, Replication, and Modeling Fermentation Lab

LP 5 Unit 5 Cellular Reproduction and Genetics (Skills + Assignment + 3 labs) - This unit focuses on cell division, reproduction and inheritance patterns.

Assignment and Labs:

  • Practice Mendelian Crosses

  • Mouse Genetics

  • Mitosis and meiosis Modeling

  • Mendelian Genetics and Punnett Square Lab

LP 6 Unit 6 Evolution (Skills + Assignment + 2 labs) - The students will be taught the theory of evolution, natural selection and the evidence for evolution.

Assignment and Labs:

  • Biogeographic Isolation Writing Assignment

  • Dichotomous Key Lab

  • Natural Selection Simulation

LP 7 Unit 7 Ecology (Skills + Assignment + 3 labs) - Introduces the study of ecosystems, populations, and interactions between organisms and their environment.

Assignment and Labs

  • Brownfields Journal Activity

  • Measuring Biodiversity Using Beans Lab

  • Properties of Water Lab

  • Carbon Through the Decades Lab

LP 8 Unit 8 Physiology (Skills + Assignment + 2 labs + Portfolio check + final) - This unit teaches the students the structures and function of human organ systems along with their physiological processes.

Assignment and Labs:

  • Exploration of Digestive System Disorders

  • Muscle Strength Lab

  • Forensics And Blood Typing Lab

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