Sixth grade is the year when students delve more deeply into independent scientific inquiry. While touching on all strands of science, there is an emphasis on Earth and Space, allowing students to develop a greater understanding of how science and their lives intersect. Students develop a meaningful understanding of concepts while improving their ability to communicate scientific ideas. This year in science, units of study include:

• Physical Science: Flight (thrust, drag, lift, gravity, powered vs. non-powered), Scientists and historical figures in flight, Modeling
• Life Science: Nutrition (proteins, fats, vitamins, food as fuel, labels)
• Earth Science: Astronomy (Earth/moon/sun, our solar system and beyond, important people in astronomy), Geology (Plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis)
• Engineering: Measurement, Determine scale of distances and sizes of objects in space. Develop models to represent the solar system.

In seventh grade, students focus on biology - the study of living things. Over the course of the year, students enhance scientific skills, conceptual knowledge of biological sciences, and understanding of ethical issues. Instruction includes lab work, class discussions, and individual and group projects. Technology is incorporated in all areas of study. Additionally we focus on different investigative methodologies, presentation skills, and working collaboratively with others. This year in science, units of study include:

• Life Science: Cellular biology and Microscopy, Genetics/Heredity, Evolution, Body Systems, Classification, Botany, Natural Resources, Wetland Exploration
• Earth Science: Fossil record, Weather, Biomes, Evolution Unit
• Engineering: Measurement, Design and build a model of physical analog for a plant or animal cell

The eighth-grade year provides extensive lab experiences related to chemistry and physics that enhance students’ scientific skills, conceptual knowledge, and understanding of how matter and energy interact. Students design their own labs as well as learn specific lab techniques (e.g. fractional distillation) and form connections between science and industry. Through the iterative design process, students develop real-life scientific skills. Instruction includes hands-on experiments, class discussions, and individual and group projects. This year in science, units include:

• Physical Science: Measurement, Conservation of mass, Characteristics of solutions and mixtures, States of matter, Motion and Forces, Work, Types of Energy, Acids and Bases /PH/Periodic table, Chemical Equations, Waves, Survival Science
• Engineering: Measurement, Thermos design with energy unit, Interactive testing, Filtration, Purification, Ignition, Survival Science