Integrated Science

Science

Curriculum

Course Title: Integrated Science

Department: Science

Units of Study:

PHYSICS and Earth and Space Science:

• Speed & Velocity

• Newton’s Laws

• Earth’s Interior

• Convection and Plate Motion

• Energy Transfer (renewable energy project)

CHEMISTRY/ Human Impact:

1. Atomic Structure, Periodic Table & Bonding

1. • Periodic Table and Patterns (First 20 Elements)

   • Ionic/Covalent Bonding (Bohr diagrams and Lewis dot structures)

   • Metal vs Nonmetal

   • Valence Electrons

   • Atomic # vs Atomic Mass

2. Water Chemistry

1. • Polar vs Nonpolar

   • Density of water vs other materials

   • Cohesion/Adhesion and Surface Tension/Capillary Action

   • Universal Solvent

   • Heat Capacity

   • Freezing Point

3. pH – Monterey Bay Ocean Acidification Activity

BIOLOGY/ Human Impact:

1. Flow of Energy and Cycling of Matter

o Food Chain/Web – flow of energy and matter; abiotic vs biotic; Levels of Ecological Organization

o Symbiosis and Competition

2. Biomes of the World

o Terrestrial Biomes (tiaga, temperate rainforest, temperate deciduous forest, tropical rainforest, chaparral/shrub land, temperate grassland, savannah, desert, tundra)

o Aquatic Biomes:

− Fresh Water Biomes: streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, water cycle

− Marine Biomes: Oceans*, Coral Reefs*, Marshes, and Estuaries*

3. Human Impacts:

o Climate Change: with a focus on how ecosystems are shifting/impacted by changing climate / evidence of impact

o Loss of Biodiversity

o Invasive Species

o Habitat Destruction

Curriculum-Based Assessments: N/A

Standardized Assessments: Keystone

Description of Course: Integrated Science is an innovative science program that immerses students into science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). By breaking down the traditional disciplinary boundaries into a series of thematic project-based "missions," 9th grade students will receive a strong foundation needed for success in future core science disciplines (biological, physical, and earth sciences).

The curriculum is founded on the principle that students learn best when manipulatives and inquiry- based projects are at the heart of the course. Integrated Science is designed to increase each student’s science literacy in content and process skills to improve their opportunity for success in our biology course and state required Keystone Exam.