The science and engineering program in grades 6-8 at LPS offers opportunities for middle aged students to engage in core science and engineering topics by actively participating in the practices of science and engineering each year as they progress through the grades. The disciplinary core ideas (the content) and science practice skills are derived from the Massachusetts Science, Technology, and Engineering Frameworks.
Each science course exposes students to topics by exploring scientific concepts and practicing scientific and engineering skills. Students conduct laboratory experiments, building models, participate in field studies and gather information and data, read pertinent scientific material, and actively engage in project based learning activities. At the middle school, we strive to make science relevant for all students by immersing them in as many real world science and engineering experiences as possible. Our hope is that the middle school programs foster a curiosity for learning and a desire in students to want to further expand their science and engineering knowledge.
The science core content topics are selected from disciplines in earth, life and physical science, along with integrated topics in technology and engineering. The following science and engineering practice skills are introduced and used throughout all middle school science and engineering courses to encourage students to behave as scientist and engineers would in the real world. The MA Science and Engineering Practice Skills identified in the state frameworks include:
Asking questions and defining problems
Developing and using models
Planning and carrying out investigations
Analyzing and interpreting data
Using mathematics and computational thinking
Constructing explanations and developing solutions
Engaging in argument from evidence
Obtaining, evaluating and communicating information
The middle school science and engineering program incorporates the practices by engaging students in problem based learning experiences. Solving engineering challenges and real world scientific problems are introduced in sixth grade and continue through the eighth grade program. In both science and engineering courses students use their scientific knowledge to inform the design of their engineered products and solutions.