Middle School
science
pROGRAM pHILOSOPHY
Science is a way of knowing that requires empirical evidence to support reasoning. It is human nature to be curious and curiosity motivates an individual to seek understanding and reason. Science education aims to leverage this natural human emotion to help students learn explanations for natural phenomena.
The Ramsey Science Curriculum provides learning experiences in which students use science and engineering practices and apply crosscutting concepts to make sense of scientific phenomena and deepen their understanding of core ideas in earth and space science, life science, and physical science. The goal is to produce scientifically literate citizens who can engage in public discussions of science-related issues, be critical consumers of scientific information related to their everyday lives, and to continue to learn about science throughout their lives.
*Adapted from A Vision and Plan for Science Teaching and Learning (2015)
wHAT DOES IT lOOK lIKE IN THE cLASSROOM?
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) reflect the most current research on science education outlined in A Framework for K-12 Science Education, a National Research Council publication. The standards are a set of performance expectations that focuses on a three dimensional approach to instruction and assessment that emphasizes the following:
Crosscutting Concepts—themes that permeate all science disciplines;
Disciplinary Core Ideas –conceptual understandings i.e. content from the science disciplines (life, physical, earth, and space);
Science and Engineering Practices –a set of skills that scientists and engineers use to do their work.
For each performance expectation in the NGSS, the three dimensions – disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, and crosscutting concepts – are integrated into a single statement that represents what is to be assessed at the end of a grade level or grade band. To meet these student performance targets, classroom instruction involves deeper learning of science concepts contextualized in a phenomenon and by students using the science and engineering practices routinely and with more sophistication throughout their K-12 science career. In this setting students are challenged with “figuring it out” rather than passively learning about a science topic. In addition, real world science and engineering is a collaborative endeavor. Our classrooms mirror this. Students collaborate regularly as they ask questions; conduct investigations; analyze and interpret data; weigh evidence; engage in research; and develop explanations, models, and arguments. This approach is largely student-centered and is a significant shift from past K-12 science instruction. What then is the teacher's role in the classroom? The teacher is the linchpin- the activator creating the classroom culture that supports student learning by adeptly scaffolding learning activities, providing feedback, and administering assessments that track student growth across the three dimensions.
A science notebook remains important to the student as a learning tool. For today's learner it holds their questions, their early ideas or models explaining a natural event, their data from investigations that can serve as evidence, their evidence-based explanations and arguments, their reflection upon learning in addition to the relevant scientific facts. Copious notes are still important, however, these notes are crafted by the student from small group and whole class dialogue or come about as the result of doing the work of the discipline or "doing science."
*In New Jersey the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are officially known as the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Science (NJSLS) to match how all of New Jersey's core content standards are named.
NJDOE A New Vision for Science Class.pdfpractices-for-k-12-classrooms.pdffaculty pages
Course Descriptions
Grade 6 Science
In the 6th grade science program, students will deepen their knowledge and understanding of Earth and Space Science. Core disciplinary ideas that are explored include the Universe and its stars, Earth and the solar system, the history of planet Earth, Earth materials and systems, plate tectonics and large-scale system interactions, the role of water in Earth’s surface processes, weather and climate, biology, natural resources, natural hazards, human impact on Earth systems, and global climate change. The course centers on developing students as scientific thinkers who ask questions, strive to be precise and accurate, and remain objective and employ logic. Students will routinely produce written explanations based on the analysis and interpretation of authentic geoscience data. Students will engage in the process of science by developing and using models, using mathematical and computational thinking, planning and carrying out investigations, engaging in argument, and obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information. Students will be evaluated using varied assessments including performance assessments that will challenge students to transfer their learning to relevant new contexts and problems.
Grade 6 Exploratory: Human Impact and Natural Resources
In this exploratory course, students will investigate local environmental issues in Ramsey, the surrounding communities, and New Jersey. Content will include current topics such as the planned construction of the Pilgrim Pipeline and the ongoing challenges of the Ringwood Mines Superfund site. Within the state, students will understand how our energy demands almost resulted in the damming of the Delaware River and have resulted in continued operation of the United States’ oldest nuclear reactor, the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station in Lacey Township. New Jersey also has a long history of difficulties with solid waste disposal. Students will explore the history of waste management, environmental problems this has caused, ongoing remediation, and our current system which sends our waste to a neighboring state. NJ is also home to one of the most polluted rivers in the nation, the Passaic River. Students will learn not only how water is polluted, but how drinking water is protected and managed. Other content will include defining sustainability, ecology, and environmental science, natural resource management, and stewardship.
Grade 7 Science
In the 7th grade science program, students will deepen their knowledge and understanding of life science. Core disciplinary ideas that are explored include Cell Structure and Function, Growth and Development of Organisms, Organization of Matter and Energy Flow in Organisms, Information Processing, Heredity, Biological Evolution, and Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics of Ecosystems. The course is centered around students engaging in work of the discipline to make sense of natural phenomena. Students will consistently engage in performance tasks to further build their capacity to develop and use models, use mathematical and computational thinking, plan and carry out investigations, analyze and interpret data, construct explanations, engage in argument, and obtain, evaluate, and communicate information. The engineering design process is integrated into the study of ecosystems to develop students’ capacity to define problems more precisely, to conduct a more thorough process of choosing the best solution, and to optimize the final design. Students will be evaluated using varied assessments including performance assessments that will challenge students to transfer their learning to relevant novel contexts and problems.
Grade 7 Exploratory: Human Ecology and Sustainability
In this exploratory course, students will address an environmental issue within the school or in the Ramsey community. As some students may not have taken the grade 6 course, initial activities will include the examination of human impact, ecology, and environmental science with a particular focus on defining sustainability and stewardship. Students will work in teams to generate potential school or community improvement projects by surveying and interviewing students, faculty, staff, parents, and community members. Teams will have to advocate strongly for their project to their class, but be flexible enough to come on board with another team’s project if it is chosen by the group. The remainder of the term will be spent on the design and implementation of a solution from one team. Potential projects might include reducing energy use, improved recycling, school or community composting, addressing water quality in the school, or establishing outdoor learning spaces. Students will be expected to prepare a presentation that might be presented to the Board of Education, or Ramsey town council, or commision related to the student project (such as the Environmental Commission, Green Team, or Recreation Committee).
Grade 8 Science
In the 8th grade science program, students will deepen their knowledge and understanding of physical science. Core disciplinary ideas that are explored include Matter and its Interactions, Motion and Stability, Energy, and Waves and Their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer. The course is centered around students engaging in work of the discipline to make sense of natural phenomena. Students will further build their capacity to develop and use models, use mathematical and computational thinking, plan and carry out investigations, analyze and interpret data, construct explanations, engage in argument, and obtain, evaluate, and communicate information. The engineering design process is integrated into multiple units of study to develop students’ capacity to define problems more precisely, to conduct a more thorough process of choosing the best solution, and to optimize the final design. Students will be assessed using varied assessments including performance assessments that will challenge students to transfer their learning to relevant novel contexts and problems.
Grade 8 Exploratory: Wilderness Survival, Health, and Safety
In this exploratory course, students will learn how to thrive in adverse conditions, address unique health concerns in nature, and identify and manage safety hazards that are unique to the outdoors. Wilderness skills are an insurance policy that can help you deal with any environment and not have to go outside with apprehension or fear. Initiative games and team building are foundational activities for the course so students can develop communication, teamwork, and leadership skills. Science content and principles from grades 6, 7, and 8 will be put into practice as students apply their learning such as using observations to predict changing weather conditions, navigating by Sun and star positions, understand regulatory systems within the human body, and avoiding contact with viruses and bacteria through chemistry, physics and/or engineering design. Wilderness skills also help build a sense of responsibility that results in environmental ethics and effort toward conservation.