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The Science department provides a challenging curriculum that strives to meet the needs of a diverse student body by:
- providing the necessary background and skills to enable students to become scientifically literate in order to make responsible decisions;
- actively involving students in problem solving, qualitative and quantitative analyses, and verbal and written communications;
- developing in students an appreciation of science as an investigative process rather than as merely a body of knowledge.
All students in the middle school progress through a three-year sequence of courses that develop the fundamental skills and concepts needed for further study in the upper school. These courses expose students to a wide variety of topics, reinforce and enhance the material from previous years, and prepare students to make informed course decisions when they reach the upper school.
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Integrated
Science I |
5000-0 |
| Full year —
Grade 7 |
This laboratory course introduces basic physical science concepts through an integrated approach; chemistry and physics are introduced, and biological applications of these same topics are addressed. Such an approach shows students how the scientific disciplines are interrelated. Through laboratory experiments, students learn to gather data, interpret results, and formulate conclusions. Students spend a significant amount of their time problem solving, performing laboratory work, participating in class discussions of laboratory results, and performing hands-on activities. The course thus develops important skills while simultaneously providing a strong scientific foundation for further study. |
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Integrated
Science II |
5100-0 |
| Full year —
Grade 8 |
This course is a continuation of Integrated Science I and builds upon the laboratory and problem-solving skills introduced in the seventh grade. The course further studies chemical and physical processes and how they apply to biological phenomena through laboratory investigation, class discussions, independent reading, and individual projects. Students learn to organize laboratory data, results, and conclusions into formal laboratory reports. The central theme of the course is energy; topics include energy in chemical reactions, heat, biological energy, power and energy sources, energy transport through waves, and mechanical energy. |
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Biology |
5200-0 |
| Full year —
Grade 9 |
This course is a laboratory-based overview of the fundamentals of biology. Students learn about genetics, the structure and biochemical processes of the cell, ecology, evolutionary trends within and among the various kingdoms, and human-systems physiology. Students read and write about complex processes. They also improve upon the laboratory skills acquired during Integrated Science I and II as they continue to collect and analyze data. Students gain proficiency with the microscope and are introduced to techniques of dissecting specimens and performing physiological experiments. The course helps students make informed decisions regarding the biological issues that face society. |
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Biology Honors |
5210-0 |
| Full year —
Grade 9 |
This course covers similar skills and topics to those taught in Biology, but at a faster pace and greater level of detail. Although chemistry is not required as a prerequisite, an emphasis is placed on the molecular approach to biology. The course is designed for, and limited to, those students who have an intense curiosity about the natural world and how life processes occur. Due to the advanced and accelerated nature of the course, independent student learning and initiative are required. Students are expected to invest the time and energy necessary to synthesize complex and detailed processes.
Prerequisite: Permission of the department.
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(from the 2008-2009 Curriculum Guide) |
