Course Description
Eighth Grade Science Curriculum focuses on Earth Science concepts with an emphasis on problem solving. Students explore earth science in units of Weather, Geology, and Astronomy. Scientific Inquiry and proper measurements are reviewed and used throughout the curriculum.
Course Rationale:
Middle school science should contribute to the development of scientifically literate persons and not simply prepare students for the next
science course. Science should relate to students’ personal lives, and enable them to begin examining societal issues having scientific and technological bases. Students should have many opportunities to approach problems in a concrete, hands-on manner. They should be encouraged to express their ideas with abstract symbols and explanations and to reflect on the science in which they are engaged. Student-directed discussions should afford opportunities to revise prior knowledge bases and to accept new realities based on new understandings of scientific knowledge.
Students will become more systematic and sophisticated in conducting investigations, some of which may last for weeks or more. They will develop a better understanding of what constitutes a good or fair experiment. Efforts should be made to learn to control specific variables. Student investigations should make up a significant part of the total science experience. Student investigations should be accompanied by systemic learning of science concepts presented in a variety of ways.
Eighth Grade Science Curriculum focuses on Earth Science concepts with an emphasis on problem solving. Students explore earth science in units of Weather, Geology, and Astronomy. Scientific Inquiry and proper measurements are reviewed and used throughout the curriculum.
Course Rationale:
Middle school science should contribute to the development of scientifically literate persons and not simply prepare students for the next
science course. Science should relate to students’ personal lives, and enable them to begin examining societal issues having scientific and technological bases. Students should have many opportunities to approach problems in a concrete, hands-on manner. They should be encouraged to express their ideas with abstract symbols and explanations and to reflect on the science in which they are engaged. Student-directed discussions should afford opportunities to revise prior knowledge bases and to accept new realities based on new understandings of scientific knowledge.
Students will become more systematic and sophisticated in conducting investigations, some of which may last for weeks or more. They will develop a better understanding of what constitutes a good or fair experiment. Efforts should be made to learn to control specific variables. Student investigations should make up a significant part of the total science experience. Student investigations should be accompanied by systemic learning of science concepts presented in a variety of ways.