Middle School Science

Earth Science concepts are presented using inquiry-based instruction in classroom environments that include laboratory experiences, both individual and cooperative group learning activities, which promote understanding of unifying concepts, principles and themes.  Students learn the laws of nature, the scientific method, the process of critical thinking, and mastery of the basic concepts of the fundamental sciences of geology, astronomy and oceanography, through a variety of activities and strategies.  The Earth Science curriculum integrates with the middle school math, history, language, and computer science course curricula.  Assessment practices are varied and focus on achievement and the opportunity to learn. The ultimate goal is to encourage the innate curiosity and interest of sixth grade students, so they may become lifelong learners and scientifically literate individuals, in order to make informed choices in society.

Life Science is the study of living things and their interactions with the environment. In this course students will have the opportunity to conduct and design experiments, identify and classify organisms, perform dissections, and explore Florida’s rich natural habitats. Students will develop skills in scientific research, data recording, classification, measuring, conducting observations, hypothesizing, analyzing, evaluating and inferring. Students in seventh grade science develop an appreciation for the interconnection between living things and their environment and continue to study the scientific method. The course is designed to encourage the innate curiosity of seventh grade students, so they may become lifelong learners and scientifically literate individuals.   

Students in seventh grade science will study:

• Lab Safety and Metric System
• Cells
• Heredity
• Diversity of Organisms
• Human Biology and Health
• Ecology
• The History and Nature of Science

Physical science is the study of matter, energy, and the changes they undergo.  Hands-on labs and activities are incorporated into the daily lesson to help students gain a conceptual understanding of the concepts presented.

In Physics, students develop an understanding of the relationship between motion and force, and learn about the different forms of energy and the

physical laws that govern them.  In Chemistry, students study the properties of matter and how matter changes.  They learn about the fundamental composition of matter and how it relates to energy, about atoms and elements and how the periodic table is arranged and then use this information to understand chemical reactions.  Students are encouraged to think critically about the world around them and make connections to their everyday life. 

Students in eighth grade science will study: