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MISSION STATEMENT
Science education in the Mansfield Public Schools is purposefully designed to provide engaging, relevant and rigorous curriculum instruction in order to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to produce scientifically literate and responsible citizens.
CRITERIA FOR LEVELS
CRITERIA FOR LEVELS
PRINCIPLES/ESSENTIAL COLLEGE PREP STUDENT
Student completes class assignments and employs successful study skills with guided support.
Student stays focused on the lesson and participates during lab investigations.
Student exhibits appropriate behavior in class and engages in their learning.
Student seeks assistance and asks questions when problem solving. Student expends the necessary effort to learn and understand the course content with guided support.
COLLEGE PREP STUDENT
Student is prepared for class. Preparation includes bringing the proper materials and having the assigned homework complete. Student completes homework assignments.
Student stays focused on the lesson and participates during lab investigations.
Student exhibits appropriate behavior in class and especially during lab investigations.
Student expends the necessary effort to learn and understand the course content.
HONORS STUDENT
Student is always prepared for class. Preparation includes bringing proper materials as well as having reviewed class notes and completed the homework assignment(s).
Student completes nightly homework assignments thoroughly and consistently.
Student expresses a strong desire to learn and understand the material.
Student stays focused on the lesson and takes an active role in class discussions and lab investigation.
Student seeks extra help when needed.
Student manages the demanding workload both in and out of class.
Student exhibits appropriate behavior in class and especially during lab investigations.
AVAILABLE COURSES FOR 9TH GRADE STUDENTS
310 BIOLOGY with Lab CP 5 Credits
310 BIOLOGY with Lab CP 5 Credits
Biology College Prep is an in depth study of the life sciences based on the learning standards in the Life Science strand of the Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum Framework and will prepare students for the MCAS in Biology. Hands-on inquiry based activities, virtual labs, and peer collaboration are important components of the course. Students should be capable of self-directed study, able to think analytically, make detailed observations and draw conclusions for essential questions. Mandatory independent study and assignments outside of class are required. Curriculum for Biology College Prep includes biochemistry, cells, ecology, genetics, evolution, and human body systems. Success in this foundational course helps prepare students to progress through future science courses such as Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, and Environmental Science while at MHS. This course may include dissection; in compliance with State Board of Education policy, students may decline to participate in dissections and demonstrate competency through alternative methods.
Open to Grade: 9
Prerequisite Course: Grade 8 science
311 BIOLOGY with Lab HONORS 5 Credits
311 BIOLOGY with Lab HONORS 5 Credits
Biology Honors is a rigorous life science course. Students engage in a detailed study of biology over two semesters including the fundamentals of biochemistry, molecular biology, ecology, genetics, evolution, and human body systems. Students should be capable of self-directed study with limited guidance. Students will be assessed on collaboration, investigative lab work, analytical thinking and their ability to draw conclusions from essential questions. Laboratory investigations are an integral part of the course and students should be advanced in the scientific method and their ability to analyze their results. Students complete extensive independent work including projects, outside readings, and virtual labs. Mandatory independent study and assignments outside of class are required. Students electing this course must be academically motivated and have a strong interest in pursuing further courses within the science curriculum. This course addresses the biology learning standards in the Life Science strand of the Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum Framework and will prepare students for the MCAS in Biology. This course may include dissection; in compliance with State Board of Education policy, students may decline to participate in dissections and demonstrate competency through alternative methods.
Open to Grade: 9
Prerequisite Course: Grade 8 science
Recommended Grade: 90
314 BIOLOGY ESSENTIAL COLLEGE PREP CP 5 Credits
314 BIOLOGY ESSENTIAL COLLEGE PREP CP 5 Credits
Essential College Prep Biology is a study of the life sciences based on the learning standards in the Life Science strand of the Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum Framework and will prepare students for the MCAS in Biology. Curriculum for Biology College Prep includes biochemistry, cells, ecology, genetics, evolution, and human body systems. This course will prepare students for two-year colleges, technical training, military service and/or the work force. This course may include dissection; in compliance with State Board of Education policy, students may decline to participate in dissections and demonstrate competency through alternative methods.
Open to Grade: 9
By recommendation only
340 FIELD ECOLOGY with Lab CP 2.5 Credits
340 FIELD ECOLOGY with Lab CP 2.5 Credits
341 FIELD ECOLOGY with Lab HONORS 2.5 Credits
341 FIELD ECOLOGY with Lab HONORS 2.5 Credits
Field Ecology w/ Lab is a project-based course focusing on the practical uses of basic biological information with an emphasis on Ecology. Students will utilize the science and engineering practices from the Massachusetts Science Technology and Engineering Curriculum Frameworks to study how hypotheses are developed, experiments are designed, and analytical methods are employed. Students will develop critical thinking skills that are not only relevant to science, but also to being an engaged citizen scientist within their own community as well as the world. In this project-based class, students will work within peer groups on a variety of field-based projects. A major emphasis is placed on local watersheds, stream ecology, and population ecology. Given the nature of the research, students may get dirty or wet within the class and within the community. This course allows students the opportunity to participate in real-world science applications while providing a foundation for potential future studies in the sciences. Students taking this course are expected to attend 3-4 out of school/off site field trips throughout the semester with the purpose of completing field work and data collection. Lab work will be performed in the classroom setting where students will perform laboratory activities, analyze data, and draw conclusions. Students are expected to create a variety of presentations such as Google Slideshows, written project summaries, informative posters, brochures, and more. Students will be expected to present their findings in front of an audience of their peers. Attendance is a major requirement for successful completion of group projects as well as successful learning and understanding of ecological topics. It is recommended that students interested in taking this course have a strong interest in the sciences. This course requires students to be academically driven, self motivated, and be productive members of a team
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
345 ASTRONOMY with Lab CP 2.5 Credits
345 ASTRONOMY with Lab CP 2.5 Credits
346 ASTRONOMY with Lab HONORS 2.5 Credits
346 ASTRONOMY with Lab HONORS 2.5 Credits
The astronomy course is based upon the 2016 MA STE frameworks about the Earth’s place in the universe. These standards help students understand the universe and its stars, Earth and the solar system, and the history of planet Earth. Students examine the processes governing the formation, evolution, and workings of the solar system and universe. Students will use informational text to explain the life of a star and describe astronomical evidence for the Big Bang Theory. Students will use a model based on evidence of the Earth's interior to describe the cycling of matter and use evidence of past and current movements of continental and oceanic crust to describe the theory of plate tectonics.
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
347 METEOROLOGY with Lab CP 2.5 Credits
347 METEOROLOGY with Lab CP 2.5 Credits
348 METEOROLOGY with Lab HONORS 2.5 Credits
348 METEOROLOGY with Lab HONORS 2.5 Credits
The Meteorology course provides an overview of the dynamic interaction between the atmosphere and the Earth. Units will include the structure of the atmosphere and the role of the water cycle in the development of clouds, precipitation, and the storm development. Weather forecasting will feature the interaction of air masses to produce weather patterns involving fronts, pressure systems and storms, including severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and lightning. The unit on maps and geography provides a foundation for learning about hurricanes throughout the world.
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
352 STEAM with Lab CP 2.5 Credits
352 STEAM with Lab CP 2.5 Credits
353 STEAM with Lab HONORS 2.5 Credits
353 STEAM with Lab HONORS 2.5 Credits
This offering is inspired by recent nationwide attention on science, technology, engineering and math education. Students selecting this course must be self-motivated, creative and interested in problem solving where there can be more than one solution. Grading in this course is entirely dependent on the process rather than the outcome. At the completion of projects, students will reflect upon and share the math, science, and technology connections to other subject areas, previous projects, and the world outside the classroom. Student participation is a major requirement for successful completion of group projects as well as successful learning and understanding course content.
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
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