Middle School Science
The Middle School science program continues to build on the foundation of knowledge and skills that was developed in Lower School be engaging students in a well-rounded integrated science program. Concepts in life, earth, and physical science are explored each year with an emphasis on the development of critical-thinking skills and making real-world connections. Through active inquiry students develop investigation skills and increase their understanding of scientific ideas. Interdisciplinary projects at each grade level help students better understand the interrelationships of science and other disciplines.
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In this course, topics include states of matter, elements and the periodic table, minerals, Earth’s fresh-water regions, and skeletal and muscular systems in the human body. Throughout the course of study, students look at the properties of solids, liquids, and gasses at the molecular level as well as the causes of phase changes between states of matter. They learn about atoms, molecules, and basic chemical compounds. Students get a chance to combine their history knowledge with their understanding of chemical substances in interdisciplinary projects. Students design investigations, collect and organize data, analyze information, and draw conclusions from investigation results. They learn to distinguish between observations, inferences, and predictions. The course also includes instruction and practice in the use of laboratory equipment, class discussion, and group work with lab partners.
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This course begins with exploring interactions between living things as students study populations and communities with an emphasis on species in Western Pennsylvania. Students explore living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem and simulate population changes. After studying plant and animal adaptations, students investigate energy roles within ecosystems and nutrient cycles. In the consumer product unit, students apply the scientific process as they design and carry out testing to determine the effectiveness of different products. Students also explore the forces that shape the earth while they learn about the evidence behind plate tectonics and the impacts of earthquakes. They work in teams to experiment with various building techniques while engineering earthquake-resistant buildings. During the simple machines unit, students learn about force and work, and they collaborate with classmates to design and build catapults for their Medieval Faire.
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In this course, inquiry-based, hands-on activities foster students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills as they explore new concepts. Topics covered include chemical interactions, cells, genetics and heredity, and astronomy. Students use microscopes to study the structure and function of cells and cover diffusion and osmosis through activities and labs. To understand the stages of mitosis, students design and create 3D models. The astronomy unit focuses on the big questions about how space is organized, the evidence for the Big Bang Theory, and the life cycle of stars. In a culminating lab during their chemical interactions unit, students apply their investigation skills in a comprehensive “bath bomb” experiment focusing on acid-base neutralization reactions.
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This course covers evolution and natural selection, climate change, bacteria and viruses, waves, and the human nervous system. Students learn principles about evolution and mechanisms of natural selection. They examine evidence-based assessments of climate change, conduct labs to model how energy moves through a system, and research strategies to mitigate climate change. Students explore the structure and function of viruses and bacteria, including current research into medical applications. In the study of waves, students conduct investigations of mechanical and electromagnetic waves and study their applications in natural systems and in information and communication technology. In the nervous system unit, students learn the structure and function of major components of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Throughout the year, collaborative small group experiences, science writing, designing and conducting investigations, and refining analytic thinking skills are embedded in the program.
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Elective Course | Grades 7–8
In this two-term elective course students will design, test, refine, analyze, and present their own scientific investigation. The final product will be presented in the regional PJAS competition that is held on a Saturday in February. The course will begin with a review of the scientific process and how it is applied to a research question. Students will then decide on an idea to investigate and design a method to test their hypothesis. They will learn about controlling variables and repeating results. Research and design of the final investigation are completed in class and as homework, while the actual implementation of the investigation and collection of data is usually done independently at home. Students will be held responsible for meeting checkpoints in a timely manner so as to be properly prepared for the competition. Class time in the second trimester will be given to analysis of data and preparing the presentation for competition. Class size is limited to eight students.
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Elective Course | Grades 7–8
The Future City Competition offers students a resourceful way to learn about engineering, the design process, and project management. This course requires a team of students to work together on three separate components: an essay explaining their response to a specific engineering challenge, a scale model of a city of the future and an oral presentation of the model. Students work together during class as well as during weekend work sessions and a local engineer works with the team to introduce them to different aspects of engineering. Local schools compete in the regional competition and the top regional school advances to the national competition. Class size is limited to eight students. Fulfills technology requirement upon approval.
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This two-term course is designed to provide an introduction to the field of engineering. Using the engineering design process, students will work through a series of hands-on challenges which explore a variety of engineering fields. These may include mechanical, civil, electrical, biomedical, computer, chemical, and environmental engineering. Project management and teamwork are emphasized, as these are important qualities in the engineering field. Local speakers and field trips will enhance classroom learning.
Jaclynn DameMS Science Teacher, Director of Middle School Activities, Head Varsity Soccer Coach
