Science

In middle school science the students study Earth Science, Life Science, and Physical Science. In 6th grade science the focus is Earth Science. To start the year, students are taught science safety in the lab. They will gain knowledge on metric measurement and learn what skills are needed to be a scientist. Other units that are covered are Inside Earth, where students will learn that Earth’s surface is continually changing. They study earthquakes, volcanoes, erosion & deposition, along with weather. Activities will be intertwined to reinforce the skills that the 6th graders have learned. Also, students will learn about engineering and partake in a few engineering projects. In 7th grade, students focus on topics in life science including cells, genetics, evolution, and ecology. Units incorporate many hands-on experiences including outdoor field work and microscope labs. Students will understand the characteristics of living things, cell processes like photosynthesis and cellular respiration, how DNA sequencing determines an organism’s traits, the progression of natural selection to help the evolution of life, and how the parts of an environment interact to sustain life. In 8th grade science focuses on physical science. The year is divided into 2 parts; chemistry and physics. Chemistry involves the structure and interaction of matter. Physics involves forces, motion and energy. Throughout the year, there is an emphasis on improving basic science skills through hands-on activities.