PREREQUISITE: None
GRADE LEVEL: 7
LENGTH: One Year
CATEGORY: Required
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Foundations of Science I is an issue-oriented science course focusing on the life sciences. Issues that are relevant to students’ lives are used as the context for the teaching of the life science concepts. This is the first in a series of three courses designed to offer all students a strong foundation in all the science disciplines.* A variety of instructional strategies are used in this course to make science accessible to all students. This course addresses the ICCSD standards and benchmarks for life science, scientific inquiry and the nature of science.
The course consists of the following units:
Unit 1: Experimental Design: Studying People Scientifically
Unit 2: Body Works
Unit 3: Cell Biology and Disease
Unit 4: Genetics
Unit 5: Ecology
Unit 6: Evolution
EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS:
Participate in class and lab activities
Complete written assignments independently and on time
Show satisfactory performance on tests and other evaluation instruments (with due consideration of students’ level of interests and abilities)
Investigate areas of possible future career opportunities
Work effectively and respectfully with peers
* Since science is a social endeavor, students will be actively engaged in the processes of science. Emphasis will be on the communication and interpretation of science ideas through reading, discussions and writing.
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FOUNDATIONS OF SCIENCE II
PREREQUISITE: Foundations of Science 1
GRADE LEVEL: 8
LENGTH: One Year
CATEGORY: Required
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Foundations of Science II is an issue-oriented science course focusing on interactions between living organisms and the physical environment. Issues that are relevant to students’ lives are used as the context for the teaching of the science concepts in this course. This is the second in a series of three courses designed to offer all students a strong foundation in all the science disciplines. A variety of learning modalities are used in this course to make science accessible to all students. This course gives students the opportunity to explore the interconnectedness of the life, physical, earth and environmental sciences. Emphasis will be placed on communicating and interpretting science processes through reading, experimentation, discussions and writing.
MAJOR UNITS OF STUDY:
Unit 1: Metric Measurement & the Nature of Science
Unit 2: Studying Materials Scientifically
Unit 3: The Chemistry of Materials
Unit 4: Weathering, Erosion and Deposition
Unit 5: A Trip through Geologic Time
Unit 6: Water
Unit 7: Energy
EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS:
Arrive to class on time with required materials (pencils, 3 ring binder, calcualtor, textbook, loose leaf paper and completed assignment).
Continually develop study skills including: read for a variety of purposes, take organized notes in class, use logical, analytical skills, use in-class work time effectively, and use a variety of reference materials.
Be actively engaged in the processes of science.
Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Show satisfactory performance on tests and other evaluation instruments.
Work effectively and respectfully with peers.
Investigate areas of possible future career opportunities.