Science
“If it isn’t hands-on, it isn’t science.” This maxim underscores our Middle School science curriculum. Our faculty combines their real-world experience with a passion for incorporating openquestion research into students’ experiences. Developing a basic understanding of inquiry, research, the scientific method, and articulation of that knowledge in the written and spoken word and using digital media, are core departmental goals. Energy Science 3.0 credits AY 5 Energy Science focuses on energy transfer. The first trimester explores how energy flows into an ecosystem through photosynthesis and emphasizes food webs. While exploring ecosystems, Natural Selection, physical and behavioral adaptations, and Darwinism are woven into the lessons. Students perform hands-on explorations of the ecosystems available here on campus and learn about our stream, pond, and forest ecosystems. The winter trimester transitions to physical energy. Students explore Newton’s Laws, potential and kinetic energy, and gravity via hands-on labs and engineering challenges. The spring trimester extends students' physics knowledge to the solar system. Students learn about asteroids and comets, moons, and the planets that orbit our star, the sun. Physical Science 3.0 credits AY 6 Physical Science emphasizes qualitative and quantitative observations of matter to understand the physical world around us. The curriculum focuses on metric measuring and translating calculations into scientific data. The winter trimester centers on physics, calculating forces, and hands-on engineering challenges. The spring trimester focuses on geology and the natural forces that shape our state and our planet. The sixth grade science curriculum features hands-on learning, experiments, scientific writing skills, and data exploration. Life Science 3.0 credits AY 7 Life Science explores the characteristics of and connections between living things and links our human experience to Earth's diverse biology. In the fall, we focus on the characteristics of life as well as cell structure and function. In the winter, we shift focus to plant life and animal structure and function. In the spring, students study ecology through a wide range of hands-on experiences in the outdoor classroom. Throughout each theme, students make connections to the relationships that exist between and among living organisms and the environment. Regular use of microscopes and other basic lab equipment encourages students to engage and participate in investigation and inquiry. Earth and Space Science 3.0 credits AY 8 Earth Science explores the natural history and processes that influence the lives of students on a daily basis. Through reading, discussion, research, writing, and outdoor exploration, students are encouraged to relate global phenomena to local experiences. The primary areas of focus include: methods of scientific inquiry and scientific thinking; the composition of matter; the Earth, Sun, and Moon system; solar system exploration; stellar history, influence, and exploration; atmospheric dynamics and meteorology; oceanic circulation; landscape formation and plate tectonics. Within these areas, emphasis is placed on developing analytical dispositions and student skills that support the assimilation and expression of understanding.
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