Middle School science introduces students to physical, biological and earth science. When possible, these topics are taught from an environmental perspective. Students are continually exposed to scientific inquiry utilizing a variety of research techniques, technological devices, and scientific measurement. We hope to excite students about the world of science and help students see it’s relationships to daily living and encourage students to understand the need for scientific literacy Beyond the classroom, science is part of community service through the Audubon program and the green house club. Students have the use of the school’s environmental lab, greenhouse and weather station. A Middle School science fair, with a variety of participation choices is held in the spring.
Sixth Grade Physical Science
This introductory course utilizes projects and experiments as the basis for the study of physical science. Hands on labs, culminating with written reports are key elements, with basic equations taught in conjunction with the sixth grade math program. Physics concepts are often most easily learned through direct observation and measurement. Therefore, students study Newton’s Laws with rockets, cars, and marbles. They build musical instruments to learn about sound. They work with robots or undertake other projects to reinforce concepts. The measurement and experimental design units conclude with individual scientific testing of a consumer project. Topics of this class include; energy, motion, machines, robotics, sound and light. Texts: Motion, Forces, and Energy and Sound and Light, Prentice Hall.
Seventh Grade Life Science
This course uses the school’s adjacent coastal waters to develop an awareness of and an appreciation for nature and our interaction with the environment. We strive to foster a responsibility for the stewardship of the environment and its living things. Principles of ecology, and the investigation of ecosystems and their interrelationship, form the core of the first third of the year’s work. The animal kingdom, from one celled organisms to mammals is surveyed in the winter, with an emphasis on the organism’s structure and function. Students conclude the year with a study of the human body. Forensic units are strategically included throughout the year. Laboratory experiments and lab reports continue to play an important role in science class. Texts: Life Science, Prentice Hall.
Eighth Grade Earth Science
This course help students develop a deeper knowledge of the living earth, based on laboratory experiments and reports, class discussion and other student participation. The basic units cover earth’s waters, chemistry and geology. During each unit, students participate in related environmental research and lab work, focusing on the development of more sophisticated science research skills. In addition, each student will select an individual environmental issue to study. Students may choose to do an actual experiment to learn about their topic, with a final presentation in the spring. Texts: Earth’s Waters. Inside the Earth, and Chemical Interactions, Prentice Hall. Supplemental text is Environmental Science, Addison Wesley.