With the newer Iowa Core Science Standards, each middle school student is exposed to some physical science, some earth and space science, and some life science each year. We will be using the STEMscopes curriculum which directly ties to the Next Generation Science Standards and the Iowa Core Science Standards. The codes in parentheses following the units are the corresponding standards that will drive each unit. Click here to see the Scope and Sequence document.
Physical Science (12 weeks)
Structures of Matter (MS-PS1-1)
Physical & Chemical Properties (MS-PS1-2)
Heat & Matter / Changes in Energy on the Molecular Level (MS-PS1-4)
Characteristics of Chemical Reactions / Modeling Conservation of Mass / Thermal Energy in Chemical Reactions (MS-PS1-2, 1-5, 1-6)
Earth Science (12 weeks)
Earth Materials (MS-ESS2-1)
Weathering, Erosion, and Geoscience Processes (MS-ESS2-2)
Plate Tectonics and Seafloor Spreading (MS-ESS2-3)
Human Dependence on Natural Resources (MS-ESS3-1)
Natural Hazard Prediction (MS-ESS3-2)
Life Science (12 weeks)
Cells & Anatomy of Cells (MS-LS1-1, 1-2)
Bodies and Systems (MS-LS1-3)
Sensory Receptors (MS-LS1-8)
Inheritance and Genetic Variation (MS-LS3-2)