Science Course Descriptions

Science 6

Course Code 610000 (Grade Level); 610200 (Honors)

Science 6 presents an integrated focus on the role of the sun’s energy on Earth systems, water in the environment, air and the atmosphere, space, forces, transformations of energy and matter, and basic chemistry concepts. The 6th grade course emphasizes experimentation and data analysis. Science 6 focuses on continued development of the students’ understanding of the nature of science. Lessons are designed to encourage students to create explanations for science concepts that are based on rules of evidence and logical thinking through experimentation, observation, and manipulation of variables.

Life Science

Course Code 620000 (Grade Level); 620200 (Honors)

Life Science is the study of the living world and biological systems. Areas of study include cellular organization and the classification of organisms; the dynamic relationships among organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems; and change as a result of the transmission of genetic information from generation to generation. Inquiry skills at this level include organization and mathematical analysis of data, manipulation of variables in experimentation, and identifying sources of experimental error. The Life Science course continues to focus on student growth in understanding the nature of science by defining the idea that explanations of nature are developed and tested using observation, experimentation, models, evidence, and systematic processes. The nature of science includes the concepts

that scientific explanations are based on logical thinking; are subject to rules of evidence; are open to rational critique; and are subject to refinement and change with the addition of new scientific evidence.

Physical Science

Course Code 630000 (Grade Level); 630200 (Honors)

SOL Test Physical Science is the study of matter and the characteristics of energy. Areas of study include atomic structure, the organization and use of the periodic table, physical and chemical changes, forms of energy and energy transformations, heat and heat transfer, sound and light and their technical applications, principles and applications of work, force, and motion, magnetism, and principles of electricity. The Physical Science course continues to focus on student growth in understanding the nature of science by defining the idea that explanations of nature are developed and tested using observation, experimentation models, evidence, and systematic processes. The nature of science includes the concepts that scientific explanations are based on logical thinking, are subject to rules of evidence, are open to rational critique, and are subject to refinement and change with the addition of new scientific evidence.