Curriculum Detail

Select A Department

Science

Middle School

The Middle School Science curriculum is a series of laboratory-oriented disciplines that are required at the indicated grade levels. The curriculum is designed to provide broad exposure to the many fields of science, while also taking students on deep explorations of selected topics that encourage scientific inquiry, build enthusiasm for learning, and provide the gratifying experience of developing subject-specific expertise. Each course attempts to bring students and science together in such a manner that students gain knowledge, skills, and a sense of confidence about their environment. Class activities, labs, and projects aim to balance content instruction with skill development and application, with the goal of helping students grow as independent thinkers. Beyond the laboratory, courses are enriched with learning opportunities in the St. Mark’s Greenhouse, Planetarium, and Makerspace.

Upper School

The Upper School Science curriculum offers a program of studies by which students gain a knowledge of modern scientific principles and ideas and an understanding of the methods and significance of science in contemporary society. Courses are enriched by frequent laboratory activities where students are encouraged to develop and employ independent, scientific thought. There is a three-year science graduation requirement, and all students must take Biology and either Chemistry or Applied Chemistry. For most students, the third year is completed by taking Physics or AP Physics 1, though elective courses may be taken to meet the requirement. Students are encouraged to continue their study of science beyond the three-year requirement, and those who are successful in the full complement of core courses (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics or AP Physics 1) may qualify for Advanced Placement courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental science. A variety of non-AP elective options are also available, including DNA Science, Information Engineering, Astronomy, Geology, and Human Evolution. Special activities sponsored by the Science Department include the STEM Conference, Science Bowl and Olympiad competitions, Robotics Team, Scientific Marksman Magazine, and the Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Pre-Med, Rocketry, Nature, Food Science, Gardening, and Green clubs.

Criteria and Selection Process for AP Courses

• Students completing Chemistry are given a recommendation by their current teacher of either Physics or AP Physics 1. Students recommended for AP Physics 1 may opt to take the less rigorous Physics instead, but the reverse is not permitted.

• For all AP courses other than AP Physics 1, a student does not need to receive a recommendation. Students choose, based on guidance from teachers and personal enthusiasm for the subject, to apply for the AP course by signing up during the spring scheduling process.

• Specific AP courses have detailed prerequisites which are outlined under each course in the Course Catalog descriptions. Students must read and meet those prerequisites.

• Students must have demonstrated high and consistent levels of achievement in each of the prerequisites.

Selection to AP:

• Final selection into an AP course is subject to review by the AP teacher, with appeals made to the Department Chair.

Faculty

Fletcher Carron

Stephen M. Seay ’68 Science Department Chair

214-346-8292

Rice University - B.S.

CarronF@smtexas.org
Bio
Appointed as the department chair in 2013, Fletcher Carron holds the Stephen M. Seay ‘68 Science Department chair position. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Rice University and teaches Upper School and eighth grade students in the field of physical science (physics and chemistry). He began his St. Mark’s career in 2002 and coaches seventh grade basketball, sponsors the Upper School Robotics Team and has served as Pecos Wilderness Trip group leader. A dad to Fletcher Carron ‘32, he is an advisor in the junior-senior advisory rotation. Carron received the John H. Murrell Excellence in Teaching Award in 2008 and was named the Texas Middle School Coach of the Year in 2019-2020.
Mark Adame

Cecil H. and Ida Green Master Teaching Chair in Science

214-346-8664

Texas A&M University - B.S.
University of Texas at Dallas - MAT Science Education

adamem@smtexas.org
Bio
As holder of the Cecil H. & Ida Green Master Teaching Chair in Science, Mark Adame teaches classes in biology, AP biology and DNA science. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and an M.A.T. from the University of Texas at Dallas. A member of the St. Mark’s community since 2007, he sponsors various clubs including the Cycling Club, the Anatomy Club and the Biology Club. Adame has led nine Pecos Wilderness trips and participated in four seventh and eighth grade campouts. He began his teaching career in 1996 in Little Rock, Arkansas as instructor of pre-AP biology and AP biology. Adame also taught in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch school district, where he was the lead science teacher for the district. A recipient of the John H. Murrell Excellence in Teaching Award, he has a minor planet (32379 Markadame) named for him.
Sofia Avendaño

Seventh Grade Science Teacher

214-346-8346

Rice University - BS
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology - MS

AvendanoS@smtexas.org
Ryan Brewer

Biology & Life Science Teacher

214-346-8427

Morehouse College - B.S.
University of North Florida - M.Ed.

brewerr@smtexas.org
Bio
Ryan Brewer began his St. Mark’s career in 2020 and currently serves as biology and life science teacher as a member of the Science Department. Brewer earned his bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College and a master’s degree in education from the University of North Florida. Before joining St. Mark’s, he taught biology at The Bolles School in Jacksonville, FL and also served as a basketball coach and a member of the residential life staff. Brewer serves as an Upper School class sponsor and coaches JV basketball and Middle School football.
P. Dillon

Lower School Science Specialist

214-346-8348

Toccoa Falls College - B.S.
Columbia University - M.A.

DillonM@smtexas.org
Bio
P. Matthew Dillon joined the St. Mark’s faculty in 2018 and currently serves as Lower School science specialist. Dillon earned his bachelor’s degree from Toccoa Falls College and a Master of Arts degree from Columbia University. He previously taught elementary grades in public schools in New York and Texas. He also developed and taught science programs (which incorporated technology, reading, art, engineering and math) in private schools in Hawaii. He was the recipient of the John H. Murrell Excellence in Teaching Award in 2023.
Stephen Houpt

Physics Teacher

214-346-8198

Lafayette College - A.B.
University of Texas at Dallas - M.S.

HouptS@smtexas.org
Bio
A member of the Science Department since 2001, Stephen Houpt teaches physics to upper schoolers. He earned his A.B. from Lafayette College and an M.S. from the University of Texas at Dallas. Before joining St. Mark’s, Houpt taught physics at Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas, Lincoln High School and Walden Prep School. He sponsors the Blues Club and the Physics Competition Club. Houpt was honored as Teacher of the Year at Walden and received the DISD Humanitarian Award while at Lincoln. At Jesuit, he received the Green Math-Science faculty Award. He received the John H. Murrell Excellence in Teaching Award in 2011 and is a member of the National Association of Physics Teachers.
Wesley Irons

Physics Teacher

214-346-8180

IronsW@smtexas.org
Bio
A member of the Science Department faculty, Wesley Irons joined St. Mark’s in 2021 and currently teaches physics to Upper School students. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and is an avid movie buff and historian. He worked for six years at the Oakridge School in Arlington, where he taught all levels of physics and calculus. Irons is an adviser in the junior-senior class rotation and has participated as an AP reader three times.
Donald Kiehn

Fifth-Grade Physical Science Teacher

214-346-8347

Southwestern Oklahoma State University - B.S. in Education
Southwestern Oklahoma State University - M.S. in Elementary Education

kiehnd@smtexas.org
Bio
Coming to St. Mark’s in 2018, Don Kiehn serves as fifth grade physical science teacher. He earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK. Prior to joining St. Mark’s, Kiehn served as a public school teacher for 39 years. He also serves as a fifth grade class adviser.
Michael Lane

Science Teacher and Director of the Planetarium

214-346-8165

LaneM@smtexas.org
Bio
Dr. Michael Lane joined the St. Mark’s faculty in 2023 as holder of the Leonard N. “Doc” Nelson Alumni Master Teaching Chair. Lane earned his bachelor’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of California-Berkeley. Before joining St. Mark’s, Lane worked for 24 years at the College Preparatory School in Oakland, CA, teaching physics, chemistry, astronomy and neuroscience, and coaching a variety of sports. Besides teaching Middle School science classes, Lane is the director of the Winn Science Center Planetarium. In 1991, Lane was the winner of the American Chemical Society (Division of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology) Charles D. Coryell Award in nuclear chemistry.
Daniel Lipin

Biology Teacher

214-346-8340

University of Manchester - BEng/MEng
University of Queensland - PhD

LipinD@smtexas.org
Bio
Dr. Daniel Lipin is a member of the Science Department where he teaches courses in biology to Upper School students. Lipin, who came to St. Mark’s in 2022, earned his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from the University of Manchester and a doctorate from University of Australia, Brisbane. Before he arrived at St. Mark’s, Lipin taught chemistry, biology, earth science, physics and astronomy at the Hackley School in Tarrytown, N.Y. A dad to Marksman Ron Drori-Lipin ’31, he also has more than ten years of experience coaching Lego robotics. He co-directs the Lower and Middle School Robotics Program and also sponsors the Scientific Marksmen magazine and the Middle School Lego Club. Upon completion of his Ph.D., Lipin won the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Higher Degree by Research Theses (2010). While teaching at the Hackley School, he earned the Mary Lambos Award for excellence in teaching (2013) and the McLean Chair in Mathematics and Science (2020-2022).
Stewart Mayer

Makerspace Director

214-346-8364

Southern Methodist University - B.A.

MayerS@smtexas.org
John Mead

Eugene McDermott Master Teaching Chair in Science

214-346-8164

Duke University - B.A.
Duke University - M.A.T.

Mead@smtexas.org
Bio
Holding the Eugene McDermott Master Teaching Chair in Science, John Mead joined the St. Mark’s faculty in the fall of 1990. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Duke University, where he maintains a fierce loyalty to the Blue Devils’ basketball team. Having previously served as the sixth grade class sponsor and assistant head of Middle School, Mead now teaches sections of life science to sixth graders. Since the 1990’s, Mead has been one of the leaders of the School’s Wilderness Program, guiding Marksmen through the outdoors on dozens of Middle School campouts and Pecos Wilderness Trips. Mead has also traveled across the globe with scientific research teams from Peru’s Boiling River to the Rising Star Cave in South Africa. Through his friendship with world-renown paleoanthropologist Dr. Lee Berger, Mead has facilitated in-person visits and live video calls with the research team excavating fossils of the early hominin homo naledi in Africa. He has earned recognition from the National Association of Biology Teachers, including the Outstanding Biology Teacher Award for the state in 2018 and the Evolution Education Award in 2019.
John Milam

Middle School Science Teacher

214-346-8251

MilamJ@smtexas.org
Jonathan Moody

Chemistry Teacher

214-346-8201

UT Southwestern Medical Center - PhD
Texas A&M University - BS

MoodyJ@smtexas.org
Bio
After 15 years at Ursuline Academy of Dallas, where he taught earth science, chemistry and physics, Dr. Jonathan Moody arrived at St. Mark’s as a chemistry teacher in 2021. Moody coaches Middle School cross-country and track & field, is a freshman adviser and participated as a group leader in the Wilderness Program. He earned his B.S. from Texas A&M University and Ph.D. from UT Southwestern Medical Center. Moody has twice received the Work of Heart award from the Catholic Foundation of Dallas, was named a Regional Coach of the Year in 2021 by the Positive Coaching Alliance and was named the 2017 Texas Cross-Country Coach of the Year by the Lone Star Christian Sports Network.
Kenneth Owens

Chemistry Teacher

214-346-8503

Rice University - B.A.
University of Michigan - M.S. (Chemistry)

kowens@smtexas.org
Bio
Ken Owens is a 1989 graduate of St. Mark’s and now serves as a chemistry teacher. He earned a B.A. from Rice University and an M.S. from the University of Michigan. Owens previously taught at The Oakridge School in Arlington and worked for the Rice University Police Department, volunteered at Mount Rushmore and ran blood drives. He sponsors the U.S. Department of Energy Science Bowl competition for Upper School students. Owens received the John H. Murrell Excellence in Teaching Award in 2003 and belongs to the National Science Teaching Association, the Associated Chemistry Teachers of Texas, the Science Teachers Association of Texas and the American Geophysical Union.
Douglas Rummel

Science Teacher

214-346-8504

Oregon State University - B.S.
University of Texas at Dallas - M.A.T.

Rummel@smtexas.org
Bio
Doug Rummel is the holder of the Founders Master Teaching Chair (2016) and teaches 8th grade physical science and Information Engineering for juniors and seniors. He joined St. Mark’s in 1998 after nearly a decade teaching 8th grade at the Greenhill School in Addison, Texas. He received his M.A.T. in Science Education from the University of Texas at Dallas in 1988 while working as adjunct faculty in Biology at Brookhaven Community College. He received his B.S. in General Science from Oregon State University in 1983. Doug helped develop a high school introductory engineering curriculum for the Infinity Project, a joint venture between SMU, Texas Instruments, and the National Science Foundation. A co-coach for the St. Mark’s robotics teams, he is heavily involved in engineering education and managing the new shop, makerspace, and biotechnology areas in the Winn Science Center. Doug and his wife Kerrin have two grown children, Jason (a programmer) and Shannon (a middle school science teacher). His outside interests are gardening, fishing, and traveling the world off the beaten path.

St. Mark’s School of Texas

10600 Preston Road
Dallas, Texas 75230
214-346-8000

About Us

St. Mark’s School of Texas is a private, nonsectarian college-preparatory boys’ day school for students in grades 1 through 12, located in Dallas, Texas. St. Mark’s aims to prepare young men to assume leadership and responsibility in a competitive and changing world.

St. Mark’s does not discriminate in the administration of its admission and education policies on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.