MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE

The Middle School curriculum is a continuation of the topics introduced in the Lower school with a greater emphasis on the application of math and language skills. Students engage in hands-on activities to develop and extend their knowledge in the life, physical and earth sciences, as well as to develop skills in the independent use of science equipment. Our rich natural setting provides an outdoor classroom for the study of many life and environmental concepts. The STARLAB planetarium is an integral tool in helping students develop the astronomy and earth science concepts taught in Middle School. A wide variety of text and journal articles are used as reading material. Computer technology skills integrated in the Middle School science courses include on-line research, webquest activities, the preparation of PowerPoint presentations, data base entry and spreadsheet and graphing skills.

Units taught in the Middle School Science curriculum include:

Grade 6 

• Community Concepts - Food Webs
• Pond Study
• The Water Cycle and Ground Water
• Weather and Climate
• The Oxygen-Carbon Dioxide Cycle
• Pollution
• Electricity and Magnetism
• Adolescent Growth and Development

Grade 7

Physical and Earth Science

• Metric Measurement and Tools
• Matter Concepts - An Introduction to Properties, Elements, Compounds, Mixtures, Physical vs. Chemical Change
• Astronomy - Moon Phases, Objects in the Solar System, Stars and Galaxies
• Forces and Motion - Engineering Design Challenge

Grade 8

Life and Earth Science

• Ecosystem Concepts - Carrying Capacity, Biomes  
• Levels of Classification
• Earth Science - The Changing Surface, Plate Tectonics, Volcanoes, Earthquakes
• Geology
• The Human Body - Cells, Tissue, Organs, Systems
• Human Reproduction
• Genetics