Welcome to my home page!  I am a chemistry & forensic science teacher at Georgetown High School. 

Education & Teaching Background:

• (All-but-dissertation) Doctorate work at TAMU
• Bachelor's (1986) & Master of Arts (2000) from UT Austin      

• 1979-1985: Baird ISD (near Abilene, TX), elementary teachers' assistant
• 1986-1988: Eula ISD (near Abilene, TX), 5th grade teacher
• 1989-2003: Baird ISD, elementary teacher, then secondary teacher.
•     Taught 5th-7th grade science, geology, IPC, chemistry, pre-AP chemistry, AP chemistry, and physics
• 2003-2005: Science consultant for ESC XV, in San Angelo, TX
• 2005-2007: Pflugerville ISD, taught chemistry & IPC
• 2007-2008 was my first year at Georgetown High School, and this is my 3rd year.

Contact Information:

• 943-5100, extension 7066
• abernathys@georgetownisd.org

TAKS Information: TAKS folders are worked on every day, and students are expected to follow along as we discuss three questions each class period. As we discuss the questions, I write notes and information in a packet which students have in their TAKS folders. The folders will be graded during this nine weeks, and will count as a test grade. Next week, Nov. 16-20, we will take a TAKS benchmark, prepared by central office. This benchmark will count as a test grade. Also, as required by the district, we take a TAKS checkpoint next week, which will count as a quiz grade. Each six weeks we will take a TAKS checkpoint, and there will be another benchmark in the spring. All TAKS work is done to prepare for the spring administration of the TAKS test.

This year, our class will be learning about:

Chemistry:

• Lab safety
• The metric system of measurement
• Matter & energy
• Physical & chemical properties & changes
• Chemical reactions & equations

• The atom & subatomic particles
• Acids & bases
• Gas laws

Forensic Science:

• Scientific Evidence & the Law
• Processing a Crime Scene
• Trace Evidence
• Blood Spatter
• Ballistics
• Testing for Illicit Substances
• Hair Evidence
• Fingerprints

• Questioned Documents
• Human Remains

In addition to these topics, Forensic Science students will be expected to prepare an individual presentation on an approved topic which they will then present to a panel of experts. In order to take Forensic Science, students must have already passed biology and chemistry. It is also beneficial for them to have taken, or be currently enrolled in physics.

Georgetown Independent School District

Last updated:  08/17/07 02:14 PM