Course Descriptions

The integration of Earth and space, life, and physical sciences with technology/engineering gives grade 6 students relevant and engaging opportunities with natural phenomena and design problems that highlight the relationship of structure and function in the world around them. Students relate structure and function through analyzing the macro- and microscopic world, such as Earth features and processes, the role of cells and anatomy in supporting living organisms, and properties of materials and waves. Students use models and provide evidence to make claims and explanations about structure-function relationships in different STE domains.

Students in grade 6 focus on understanding technology engineering and the role of the engineer. Students learn about the engineering design process, and the different materials and tools necessary to construct a prototype. Students are taught technical and scale drawing skills, as well as the importance of simple and complex machines. In addition, this course provides students with skills such as perseverance, problem solving, analytical thinking and the ability to apply scientific principles to everyday engineering solutions.

Students in grade 7 focus on systems and cycles using their understanding of structures and functions, connections and relationships in systems, and flow of matter and energy developed in earlier grades. A focus on systems requires students to apply concepts and skills across disciplines, since most natural and designed systems and cycles are complex and interactive. They gain experience with plate tectonics, interactions of humans and Earth processes, organism systems to support and propagate life, ecosystem dynamics, motion and energy systems, and key technological systems used by society. Through grade 7, students begin a process of moving from a more concrete to an abstract perspective, since many of the systems and cycles studied are not directly observable or experienced. This also creates a foundation for exploring cause and effect relationships in more depth in grade 8.

In 7th grade engineering and technology, students continue to work within the engineering design process, honing their problem solving and building skills. Topics covered include the engineering design process, communication, transportation, and structures.

Grade 8 students use more robust abstract thinking skills to explain causes of complex phenomena and systems. Many causes are not immediately or physically visible to students. An understanding of cause and effect of key natural phenomena and designed processes allows students to explain patterns and make predictions about future events. In grade 8 these include, for example, causes of seasons and tides; causes of plate tectonics and weather or climate; the role of genetics in reproduction, heredity, and artificial selection; and how atoms and molecules interact to explain the substances that make up the world and how materials change. Being able to analyze phenomena for evidence of causes and processes that often cannot be seen, and being able to conceptualize and describe those, is a significant outcome for grade 8 students.

In 8th grade, the Massachusetts curriculum standards for Technology and Engineering include project-based learning using the Engineering Design Process (EDP) and the Universal Systems Model (USM). During these projects, students practice manufacturing using craft production and digital manufacturing (Laser cutting and additive manufacturing).