Science

Philosophy

The philosophy of the AISJ Science program is to develop our diverse community of students into life-long learners who are able to recognize problems, conduct investigations and offer reasoned solutions attaining academic success in Science as well as contributing to the global community and environment.  

AISJ Science Standards:
 
Standard 1: cross cutting concepts

 

Standard 2: disciplinary core ideas

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Standard 3: science and engineering practices

 

Course Descriptions:
Science Grade 6

Grade 6 Science is an integrated course designed to be a “hands-on” class, in order to promote independence and encourage interest in the fields of Science. Students will learn through lab experiments, projects, class discussions, and other appropriate activities. Technology is integrated throughout the course through the use of computers, videos, simulations, and laboratory equipment. The main units covered are the ‘Wonderful World of Science’ (the nature of Science), ‘From Cells to Organisms’, ‘Hot Matter’ (energy), and ‘Our Changing Climate’. Students are introduced to the fundamentals of Science as a field of study and also as a process. The skills of inquiry, making observations and inferences, creating and conducting fair and reliable tests, and using the tools of measurement, are all explored and developed. Students will continue to apply these skills throughout the year at home, in the lab, and classroom settings.

Science Grade 7

The Grade 7 Science course continues to focus on working within the discipline of Science to spark students’ interests in a wide variety of Science themes. Science 7 focuses on all major branches of Science with the integration of Life Science, Chemistry, and Earth Science. These disciplines are linked through crosscutting concepts that have applications across all domains of Science. Science 7 will explore the crosscutting concepts of cause and effect, structure vs function and patterns, & energy & matter.  Units will focus on the following major topics: natural hazards, plants, ecology and elements and molecules. Through hands-on activities and labs, students explore these topics while building proficiency in asking questions and defining problems, planning and carrying out investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, and using Math and Conceptual Thinking. The goal for the year is for students to develop a greater appreciation of the world and their role within this complex system. Further, students will continue to apply these skills throughout the year in lab and classroom settings.

Science Grade 8

 

The Grade 8 Science course is designed to be an interactive class that will encourage interest in the fields of Science. Students will learn through labs, simulations, projects, class discussions, and other appropriate activities, making observations and inferences, creating and conducting fair and reliable tests/ experiments, using the tools of measurement are all explored and developed.  Students will continue to apply these skills throughout the year in lab and classroom settings. Technology is integrated throughout the course through the use of computers, video and laboratory equipment. The units of study include Chemical Bonding, DNA and Genetics, Motion and Forces, and Space Systems. Students are introduced to the fundamentals of Science as a field of study and also as a process.