Curriculum: We will start the school year with an introduction to science: measurement, safety, equipment, scientific method, and thinking and drawing like a scientist. We will then move on to Chemistry (density, atoms, periodic table, chemical and physical reactions, and phase changes), Ecology ( interactions of populations, human impact on the environment and ecosystems, global warming, conservation, and renewable energy), Biology (structure and function of cells, living things, photosynthesis and cellular respiration, and family life education), and Geology (tectonic plates, the rock cycle, earth's spheres and weathering and erosion). We will have a National Parks long term research project due in the spring and assigned this winter. I will send home directions and go over this project in class. We will have 5 research days in class , but the rest will be homework. More information coming this winter. I realize that many of my students may not have had science in elementary school (especially the last couple of years) and I will not expect them to have prior knowledge of this material. Science is fun and I will prove that to you!!
Donations: We will be doing a number of hands-on experiments and activities during the school year. In order to fund these activities, each year the science department asks each family for a one-time voluntary donation of $10-$20. Cash is preferred, but I accept Venmo as well. I will write receipts upon request for money collected. Examples of the hands-on activities include: dry ice experiments, roasting s'mores, mystery powders, liquid layers, making polymers, bubble lab, Ooblek, cow eye dissection, flower dissection, and many others.
Officially, the textbook that out district adopted is Amplify. We will use it online periodically and you can find a link to it on Classlink. I have many supplemental materials (developed by our science department) I will use in class for instruction. We will take notes or information will be given to you that you will need for answering questions and studying. All of the notes and various other assignments need to be kept in the science binder for reference and studying. Your science binder will count as your class participation points.