We believe that the best way to learn science is to become a scientist. Through laboratory experiments and fieldwork discovery trips, our students learn to understand and enjoy the world around them.
Laying Scientific Foundations
In Middle School, our science curriculum guides students through the three main branches of life, earth, and physical science. They start by exploring the interactions and interconnections among living organisms, working to understand their place in the world and their relationships with others. They then study the science of the universe itself. Finally, by investigating questions about chemistry, physics, and the natural world, students delve into the body of knowledge acquired through the scientific process, while engaging meaningfully in the process of science itself.
Accordion
Here students explore life on many levels, from the microscopic world of the cell to our vast and diverse biosphere.
In this course, students may:
- Learn about science as a process and evidence-based thinking
- Design and conduct a controlled experiment related to birds
- Study genetics, body, systems, ecology, plants, animals, and microorganisms
For seventh grade, the emphasis shifts from the living world to our planet and solar system.
In this course, students may:
- Make models, pose questions, design and conduct experiments, collect and analyze data, and share their findings
- Learn about our universe and the current exploration happening in space, history of the earth, how the systems of the earth interact with each other, and how humans impact our environment
- Gain a broader perspective of the role of science across many disciplines
This is a laboratory-based course introducing students to physics and chemistry. A larger focus is placed on preparing students for chemistry and a more conceptual approach is taken towards physics. Student teams conduct experiments rooted in the scientific method on a weekly basis. Topics include density, measurement in the metric system, motion, forces, nature of waves, physical and chemical changes, classification of matter, nature of the elements and chemical reactions, naming chemical compounds, forms of energy such as heat, electricity and magnetism. Mathematical models are used to solve problems with single step solutions.
In this course, students may:
- Practice critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and teamwork through numerous group projects. These challenges include forensic style investigations and engineering competitions
- Explore science concepts using online simulations from various sources and expand their technological proficiency by writing lab reports and using computer-based lab equipment with several probes
- Design, produce, test, and present a wind turbine as a final end-of-year project
This is a laboratory-based course introducing students to physics and chemistry. Student teams conduct experiments rooted in the scientific method on a weekly basis. Topics include density, measurement in the metric system, motion, forces, nature of waves, physical and chemical changes, classification of matter, nature of the elements and chemical reactions, naming chemical compounds, forms of energy such as heat, electricity and magnetism. The application of mathematics to form working models of the world is a cornerstone of this course. Students will be taught how to apply algebra and basic geometry to create and manipulate these models. Vectors will be covered both graphically and mathematically to account for forces and motion in multiple directions.
In this course, students may:
- Practice critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and teamwork through numerous group projects. These challenges include forensic style investigations and engineering competitions
- Explore science concepts using online simulations from various sources and expand their technological proficiency by writing lab reports and using computer-based lab equipment with several probes
- Design, produce, test, and present a wind turbine as a final end-of-year project