Electives registration CJMS students in Grades 6 & 7 is Jan. 8-15. Grade 5 ES students is Jan. 18-26. Use 'Contact Us' page for questions.
The middle school science program allows students to investigate both the concepts and practices of Science and Engineering. At each grade level, topics in Life Science, Earth Science, Physical Science, and Engineering are interconnected to show students the relationships that exist between the sciences and the natural world. Inquiry and laboratory investigations are an integral part of the program. Problem solving and online investigations are used continually to allow students to investigate authentic problems and reinforce science concepts. The middle school science program was developed in part through a Howard Hughes Medical Institute grant and reflects the Next Generation Science Standards adopted by the State of Maryland. High expectations and differentiated instruction allow all students a challenging and engaging access to science.
The NGSS aligned Investigations in Earth Science course provides opportunities for students to engage in science and engineering practices and apply crosscutting concepts to deepen their understanding of core ideas across science disciplines. The curriculum is phenomena-based; instruction is woven around a relevant problem/project that drives student learning. Students apply their understanding of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to propose solutions to problems. Instruction provides opportunities for hands-on explorations, productive discourse, and purposeful reading and writing. The course starts with a foundational approach to science instruction to develop student skills in the metric system, scientific method, and science and engineering practices.
Students in the Investigations in Earth Science course will develop understanding of 5 major concepts of Earth science that include the Earth’s surface systems, weather and climate, the Earth's Interior systems, the history of Earth, and natural resources and human impacts. While each of these concepts will be taught in isolated units, Investigations in Earth Science will also revisit related concepts throughout the school year to show the interconnected nature of all of the Earth Systems: the hydrosphere, geosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. The theme of climate change, both natural and manmade, will also be woven throughout the units to develop student understanding of this important issue and to create a consistent year long storyline. Students are awarded 10 SSL hours for participating in activities built into the course.
Investigations in Earth Science
Unit 1: Watershed Science
Unit 2: Atmospheric Phenomena
Unit 3: Dynamic Earth
Unit 4: Earth’s Geologic Past
Unit 5: Earth’s Energy Resources and Human Impacts
The NGSS aligned Investigations in Life Science course provides opportunities for students to engage in science and engineering practices and apply crosscutting concepts to deepen their understanding of core ideas across science disciplines. The curriculum is phenomena-based; instruction is woven around a relevant anchoring phenomenon/project that drives student learning. Students apply their understanding of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to propose solutions to problems. Instruction provides opportunities for hands-on explorations, productive discourse, and purposeful reading and writing.
Students in the Investigations in Life Science course will develop understanding of biology concepts related to the following topic areas: Cellular Structure and Processes, Matter and Energy Flow in Organism, Inheritance and Variation of Traits, Evolution, and Ecosystems Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics. While each of these concepts will be taught in isolated units, Investigations in Life Science will also revisit related concepts throughout the school year to show the interconnected nature of biological sciences.
Investigations in Life Science (ILS 7)
Unit 1: Cellular Structures and Processes
Unit 2: Matter and Energy Flow in Organisms
Unit 3: Inheritance and Variation of Traits
Unit 4: Evolution
Unit 5: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, & Dynamics
In Investigations in Science 8, students will experience an interdisciplinary approach to science content, exploring all two of the three domains of science (Physical & Earth Science) through hands-on explorations, productive discourse, and purposeful reading and writing. The curriculum is problem/project-based where students apply their understanding of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to propose solutions to real world phenomena/problems. Units studied in Investigations in Science 8 center around topics related to Forces and Motion, Astronomy, Weather and Climate, and Earth’s Materials and Processes. Students will take the Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA) during March to assess their knowledge of the concepts learned throughout the middle school science curricular program.
Investigations in Science (ILS 8)
Unit 1: Weather & Climate
Unit 2: Earth's Materials and Processes
Unit 3: Earth, the Solar System, and the Universe
Unit 4: Forces, Motion, and Interactions