ONE-CREDIT MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE
MS Physical Science focuses on science concepts from the fields of chemistry, biology, and ecology. Students begin by exploring the relationship between matter and energy. Next, the course examines chemical reactions. Students can then use their knowledge of matter, energy, and chemical reactions to build on their understanding of cellular respiration and photosynthesis. Students will uncover the world of synthetic materials to see how they are made and how they impact society. Next, students will focus on science concepts from the fields of ecology and geology, including exploring the interactions between and among organisms in an ecosystem.Students will examines different types of rocks, the rock cycle, and Earth’s resources. Students can then use their knowledge of Earth’s processes to better understand how natural hazard events and severe weather events occur. Students will then learn how technology can assist in natural hazard events and discover other benefits of technology. Finally, students will track some of Earth’s changes through time.
ONE-CREDIT MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE
MS Environmental Science focuses on life science concepts from biology, ecology, and environmental science. MS Environmental Science also explores the nature of science and has engineering and technology practices threaded throughout the course. This course begins with an introduction to scientific processes. Then, the course explores cells, heredity, evolution, ecology, and genetic technology. This course begins with an introduction to the history of physics. Then, the course explores the fundamentals of physics, including graphing and Newton’s laws of motion. The second half of the course begins with an introduction to the history of the study of matter and the beginning of earth and space science. From there, the course will zoom out—from the tiniest particles that give matter its properties to the rocks that make up our planet; to the planets, moons, and other bodies that share our solar system; to the galaxies and the universe beyond. This course ends with a brief look at the impact that science has had on our planet and examines some of the discoveries that scientists are still exploring today.
