One of the main goals of the science department is to help students become better critical thinkers. The courses offered by the department are diverse and provide students with the opportunity to broaden their content knowledge. A wide variety of project-based learning experiences are provided for students through scientific research opportunities and other content-related work. Advanced Placement courses are offered in every possible subject area. Our electives are unique and diverse offering all types of learners an opportunity to experience science in action. The courses offered by the department assist students to become well-rounded, competitive and prepared for their college experiences.

Science 7

Curriculum Level:   Grade level 

State Examination: Science 7 Grade level Final

Frequency:  Every day 
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DESCRIPTION

Students focus on the physical sciences of chemistry and physics. Students will be introduced to science inquiry practices while further developing laboratory techniques. Topics this year include matter, the Periodic Table of Elements, chemical reactions, forces, energy, and electricity. Students will complete activities that facilitate their learning of science skills such as questioning, experimental design, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions.

TEXT and OTHER MATERIALS 

Science Explorer, Prentice Hall
Teacher provided handouts

COURSE OUTLINE

1.  Scientific Method and Graphing
1. Variables and Data Collection
2. Graphing Data
3. Following Procedures
4. Density
2. Introduction to Matter and Changes in Matter
1. Elements, Compounds and Mixtures
2. Physical and Chemical Properties/Changes
3. Phase Changes
4. Heat Transfer
3. Atoms and the Periodic Table
1. Parts of the Atom
2. Elements
3. Periodic Table & Trends
4. Chemical Reactions
1. Evidence of a Chemical Reaction
2. Law of Conservation of Mass
3. Types of Chemical Reactions
5. Solutions, Acids and Bases
1. Parts of a Solution
2. Heterogeneous vs. Homogeneous Mixtures
3. Acids vs. Bases
6. Motion
1. Distance, Time, and Speed
2. Acceleration
3. Graphing Speed and Acceleration
7. Forces
1. Balanced/Unbalanced Forces
2. Newton’s Laws
3. Weight and Gravity
4. Friction
8. Work, Power, and Energy
1. Work and Power
2. Simple Machines
3. Kinetic and Potential Energy
4. Types of Energy/Energy Transformations
5. Renewable/Nonrenewable Energy
9. Waves
1. Parts of a Wave
2. Sound Waves
3. Electromagnetic Waves
4. Light
10. Electricity and Magnetism
1. Magnets
2. Ohm’s Law
3. Circuits
11.  Solar System
1. Scale of Solar System
2. Gravity in Celestial Motion