Overview

All science units are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).  

Kindergarten

In Kindergarten, students focus on the observation of patterns in the natural and designed world(s), an idea that applies to the physical, life, and earth and space sciences, as well as engineering.  One unit centers on a guiding question about the needs of plants and animals for food, water, and sunlight to survive. Another unit is about patterns in weather data. Lastly, a unit centers on the pushes and pulls on an object and their effects. Weather-related phenomena are also used as a way to connect three units, allowing students to develop a deeper understanding.

Students begin their understanding of the Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs) of patterns and the relationships between cause and effect. They are also introduced to the Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) with special emphasis on asking questions, using observations, and carrying out investigations. RSD17 utilizes two primary instructional resources, Project Lead the Way Science Modules and CREC Catalyst Curriculum. 

Grade 1

In Grade 1, students study a variety of new topics.  The Light and Sound unit includes understanding the relationship between sound and vibrating materials as well as light and the ability to see objects.  Students consider the questions: "What are some ways plants and animals meet their needs so that they can survive and grow? How are parents and their children similar and different?"  In addition, they observe and predict patterns of movement of objects in the sky such as the sun, moon and stars. 

Students continue their understanding of the Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs) of patterns and the relationships between cause and effect. They also begin to see how function and structure are related.  They are continue with Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) with special emphasis on carrying out investigations, constructing explanations, obtaining/evaluating/communicating information and analyzing data. RSD17 utilizes two primary instructional resources, Project Lead the Way Science Modules and CREC Catalyst Curriculum. 

Grade 2

In grade 2, students explore new areas of scientific thinking.  One unit dives into the structure and properties of matter.  Another unit considers the form and function of plants and animals and how that impacts dispersing seeds, pollinating plants and diversity of life in different habitats.  Students will explore processes that shape the earth and consider how the earth changes.

Students continue their understanding of the Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs) of patterns, cause and effect as well as function and structure.  They are introduced to concepts with matter as well as stability/change.  They are continue with Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) with special emphasis on carrying out investigations, constructing explanations, obtaining/evaluating/communicating information and analyzing data. They begin to consider developing and using models and engaging in argument with evidence.  RSD17 utilizes Project Lead the Way Science Modules as its primary instructional resource in grade 2.

Grade 3

In grade 3, students building upon their understanding of pushes and pulls from kindergarten in a unit on forces and interactions.   They are introduced to heredity, inheritance and variation of traits.  In addition, they explore life cycles and ways that animals live alone or in groups to survive.

Students focus in every unit on the Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs) of patterns and cause/effect.  They are introduced to scale/proportion/quantity as well as systems/system models.  They are continue with Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) with special emphasis on constructing explanations, analyzing data, developing and using models and engaging in argument with evidence.  RSD17 utilizes Project Lead the Way Science Modules as its primary instructional resource in grade 3.

Grade 4:

Grade 4 science focuses on a developing understanding of a variety of topics. Throughout the year, the emphasis is on the cross-cutting concepts of patterns, cause/effect relationships, energy, matter and systems.  Students work on making observations, generating questions, using evidence to explain, designing and conducting investigations, creating models/diagrams and communicating about science using relevant vocabulary and evidence.

Unit 1: Natural Disasters and National Parks

• What are natural resources?

• How do natural disasters impact Earth?

• In what ways do human interactions impact Earth?

• How can water, ice, wind and vegetation change the land? 

• What patterns are there in the Earth’s features?

Unit 2a: Waves

• What are waves and what are some things they can do?

• How are waves used to predict results and solve problems?

• How do the properties of light allow us to see?

• How can we use patterns to make sense of the world?

Unit 2b:  Organisms - Structure and Function

• How do internal and external structures support the survival, growth, behavior and reproduction of plants and animals?

• How are organisms structured to support and sustain life?

• What is biomimicry and how have human innovations been inspired by observing the natural world?

Unit 3: Energy

• What is energy and how is it related to motion and collisions? 

• How is energy transferred? 

• How can energy be used to solve a problem?

Grade 5:

The goals of 5th grade science are to engage students in scientific practices to develop broader understanding and deeper levels of scientific investigation.  A heavy emphasis is placed on developing independence, organization and resourcefulness. Grade 5 science focuses on a developing understanding of a variety of topics. Throughout the year, the emphasis is on the cross-cutting concepts of patterns, scale/proportion/quantity, energy, matter and systems and systems.  Students work on collecting data, revising models based on evidence, creating models/diagrams and communicating about science using relevant vocabulary and evidence. 

Unit 1a: Properties of Matter and 1b: Shooting Stars

• When matter changes, does its weight change?

• Can new substances be created by combining other substances?

• How do the structures and properties of matter help us solve real-world problems?

• What is the Earth’s place in the universe?

• How do predictable patterns of Earth impact our lives?

• How do the lengths and directions of shadows or relative lengths of day and night change from day to day?

• How does the appearance of some stars change in different seasons?

Unit 2:  Ecosystems

• How does matter and energy flow  through ecosystems?

• Where does the energy in food come from and what is it used for?

• How does a change in an ecosystem affect its balance?

Unit 3: Earth’s Water and Interconnected Systems

• How much water can be found in different places on Earth?

• How do Earth’s major systems interact?

• Is there enough freshwater on Earth?

Grade 6:

Grade 6 science offers a rigorous curriculum of study based on student inquiry. Our mission is to create an atmosphere where students can collaboratively construct physical models that help build an understanding of scientific concepts. Sixth grade students investigate the following essential questions: 

• How can disease impact the ability of living systems to survive? 

• How do the motions and complex interactions of air masses result in changing weather conditions? 

• How can reproduction and growth impact the ability of a living system to survive? 

• How can thermal energy transfer impact the ability of a living system to survive? 

Students discover the answers to the essential questions while designing their own investigations and are guided to develop a deeper understanding of scientific phenomena through their scientific research. 

Grade 7:

In seventh grade, students learn about the earth’s structure and history, as well as the natural forces constantly changing the surface of the earth, by examining fossils and other evidence from the earth’s past. Students study photosynthesis and cellular respiration to understand how living organisms make and get energy from food. Additionally, students learn about different ecosystems and the interaction with organisms living in them. Seventh grade students investigate the following essential questions: 

• What causes changes in matter? 

• How do organisms and ecosystems interact? 

• How has the Earth changed? 

During these units, students will form deeper connections between scientific concepts and skills, such as designing proper investigations, developing and revising models based on evidence, and analyzing data to make sense of phenomena. 

Grade 8:

The goals of eighth grade science are to engage students in scientific practices to develop broader understanding of content, a deeper level of scientific inquiry skills, and improve research and data-analysis techniques. Our eighth grade units of study include Forces and Energy, Energy in Waves, Mechanisms of Diversity, and the Changing Earth. Eighth grade students investigate the following essential questions: 

• How do objects affect other objects? 

• How do waves transfer energy and information?

• What makes organisms different from one another?

• What has the history of the earth looked like? 

During these investigations, students will form deeper connections between scientific concepts and skills, such as evaluating methods for collecting data,revising models based on evidence, and analyzing data to make sense of phenomena. 

INTEGRATED SCIENCE

This course is an inquiry-based science class which is aligned to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Students participate in a number of hands-on learning opportunities to support the various concepts discussed in the class. Throughout the year, students will investigate topics such as evidence of the Big Bang and life cycle of stars, planetary motion, changes in the Earth’s surface, global climate change, and human impact. 

BIOLOGY 

This course is an inquiry-based science class which is aligned to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Students participate in a number of hands-on learning opportunities to support the various concepts discussed in the class. Throughout the year, students will investigate topics such as energy and matter in living organisms, ecosystems, genetics, natural section and biodiversity. Biology Honors will cover topics in greater depth. 

AP BIOLOGY 

AP Biology explores major biological concepts and themes. This course covers four big ideas, evolution drives the diversity and unity of life, biological systems utilize free energy, living systems store, retrieve, transmit, and respond to information, biological systems interact. AP Biology includes college-level laboratory experiments. All students must take the AP Biology Exam in the spring. 

CHEMISTRY

Chemistry involves studying the composition, properties, and reactions of substances. This course explores the concepts related to the behaviors of solids, liquids, and gases, acid/base and oxidation/reduction reactions, and atomic structure. Chemical formulas and equations and nuclear reactions are also studied. The course will incorporate discussions, experiments, math computations, and simulations. A strong foundation in algebra is highly recommended. Chemistry Honors will cover topics in greater depth with highly complex mathematical computations. 

AP CHEMISTRY

 Following the curricula recommended by the College Board, this course covers topics which include atomic theory and structure; chemical bonding; nuclear chemistry; states of matter; and reactions (stoichiometry, equilibrium, kinetics, and thermodynamics). AP Chemistry laboratories are equivalent to those of typical college courses. All students must take the AP Chemistry Exam in the spring. 

PHYSICAL SCIENCE

This course involves the study of the structures and states of matter. It is aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Physical Science course involves studying the composition, properties, and the reaction of substances. This course explores the concepts related to the behavior of solid, liquids, and gas, as well as atomic structure. Identifying and writing chemical formulas and equations, as well as predicting products are also covered in this class. This course incorporates discussions, experiments, and simulations.

PHYSICS

This Physics course involves the study of the forces and laws of nature affecting matter such as equilibrium, motion, momentum, and the relationships between matter and energy. The study of physics also includes examination of sound, light, magnetic and electric phenomena and topics in modern physics. This course integrates laboratory skills, technology, and mathematics to gather and analyze data to gain an understanding of the behavior of the physical world in which we live. The theoretical development of physics will follow its historical development from the early ideas of Galileo and Newton to the modern ideas of Einstein and Fermi. This course incorporates Blended Learning components including online classroom and collaborative activities. 

UCONN PHYSICS  

UCONN Physics is a rigorous course that is the equivalent of one semester of college physics. This course involves the study of the forces and laws of nature affecting matter such as equilibrium, motion, momentum, the relationships between matter and energy, examination of sound, laws of conservation, thermodynamics, and kinetics. This course emphasizes quantitative explanations of physical phenomena and requires strong algebra, geometry and trigonometry skills. Students who complete this course may qualify for up to four UCONN credits. 

UCONN PHYSICS

UCONN Physics 1202Q is a rigorous course that is the equivalent of a second semester college physics class. This course involves the study of static and current electricity, electromagnetic waves and light, optics, wave and particle behavior of light, nature of the atom and radioactivity, and an introduction to special relativity. This course emphasizes quantitative explanations of physical phenomena and requires strong algebra, geometry and trigonometry skills. Please note that students will be charged per course credit by the University of Connecticut. 

UCONN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

  This UCONN Environmental Science course provides students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, identify and analyze environmental problems (both natural and man-made), evaluate the relative risks associated with the problems, and examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. This course requires field trips and several hours outdoors investigating local ecosystems, so students must be able to work independently in this project-based course. Students may qualify for three UCONN credits. This course will be offered alternate years. 

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

This course presents the human body and biological systems in detail. Students learn anatomical terminology, study cells and tissues, explore functional systems (integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, special senses, reproductive and more) with special emphasis on the interrelationships of the various systems. This course will interest those students planning careers in any allied health field, sports medicine, or physical education. Mammalian dissection is an integral part of this course. 

UCONN FUNDAMENTALS OF HORTICULTURE 

This course will provide instruction into the broad field of horticulture. Topics in this course include plant structure and function, plant propagation, soil analysis, hydroponics, integrated pest management, as well as greenhouse management, sustainable farming and careers in horticulture. This course requires learning to be done in the classroom, outside on campus, and in the greenhouse, so students must be able to work independently in this project-based course. This course will be offered alternate years. 

PLTW ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

This is a rigorous activity, project, and problem-based course in which students investigate and design solutions to solve real-world challenges related to world food security, renewable energy, and clean drinking water. Students completing this course will develop an understanding of the scientific and technological foundations for each of the problems. Students apply their knowledge and skills as they use an engineering design process to design and test solutions that help solve these global challenges. Students must be able to work independently in this project-based course. Environmental Sustainability is eligible for college credit through PLTW. To receive college credit, students must earn an 85% or better in the class and a 70% or better on the final exam. 

MARINE SCIENCE

This course focuses on the content, features, and possibilities of the earth’s oceans. Students will explore oceanography, weather, climate, and currents. Special emphasis is placed on local maritime connections, along with marine communities, especially those living in and around New England waters. Laboratory investigations and fieldwork are integral parts of the course and are required. 

FORENSIC SCIENCE 

The purpose of this course is to provide students with an introduction to modern methodologies, theoretical understanding and practical application of scientific methods related to forensic science. Forensic Science combines more than one branch of science into a cohesive study and integrates many science disciplines. General scientific concepts are explored, as are the principles underlying the scientific method and experimentation techniques through the collection and analysis of crime scene evidence and exploration of lab analysis techniques. An understanding of the relationship between forensic science and legal studies will also be investigated through case studies, mock crime scene investigations and evidence collection, examination, evaluation and interpretation. 

ASTRONOMY

This course offers students the opportunity to study the solar system, stars, galaxies, and interstellar bodies. Students will be introduced to astronomic instruments and will explore theories regarding the origin and evolution of the universe, space, and time. Current events and discoveries will also be discussed as applicable. This course is laboratory and project-based, involving observations, analysis of data, and independent research.