Science Seven

 

Overview

Science Seven is an exciting year long hands-on science experience that explores various topics in Physical, Life, and Environmental Science. Science Seven stresses the development of several areas of science expertise.

  • Safe laboratory and appropriate team skills - this area overrides all other work we do.

 

  • Scientific Concepts -
    • Atomics, States of Matter, Energy transfer, Matter, Measurement, Light, Microbes, Ecology & Ecosystems, Cells, Genetics, Classification et al
    • Research knowledge - we feel our students must start growing a solid base of how to use books, handouts, and videos and other resources to discover answers to questions in science.

     

  • Investigative process - There is an increasing focus on mastering the process of science in Science 7. The course begins exploring What is Science and the Characteristics of Science. Then moves on with the development of a scientific question, inferential reasoning, and development of a simple cause and effect hypothesis. Next we turn to proper experimental design, correct exectution of the process complete with data tables and graphs, a well thought out analysis based upon fact, a proper, well written conclusion, error analysis, reliability assessment, and reflection.

 

  • Critical Thinking and Realistic Application - We use several means to apply and amplify the knowledge we learn, including service work in and around the Outdoor Environmental Learning Center, projects, real life news, and extension projects. This is an area we plan on developing more and more over the years.

 

The WASL, Experiments, standards: Our suite of experiments is changing rapidly as we modify our entire curriculum to meet the WASL standards.

Regretfully this has cut down the amount of actual experiments and demonstrations we do and as the students have to focus much more strongly on the mastery of the investigative process itself and the understanding and use of science vocabulary

In addition the State Standards require our students to:

- coherently express themselves using the English language, using supporting facts, reasons, evidence, and details.

- demonstrate mastery of basic Math concepts, and to:

- be able to show what they know in words, figures, data tables & graphs,

- develop Operation Definitions to explain a process and concepts,

- demonstrate mastery of Science concept knowledge.

In any event, Science Seven is an ever-changing course, with new or modified and improved experiments and methods being tested every year.

Coordination with other Skyview Science Courses

The Seventh and Eighth Grade Science teachers at Skyview coordinate their curriculums. They assure that as many topics required by Washington State's Science Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALR's) are covered as possible.

We realize that it is not possible for even two superior years of science to prepare our students to meet all of the EALRs required by the state. Consequently we rely strongly on our elementary colleagues to develop and provide a good, solid science experience in accordance with the state requirements to help prepare students for both the 5th and 8th grade Science Washington Assessments of Student Learning (WASL). As always, we stand ready to assist upon request.

Technology and Computers 

As an important side issue we help and highly encourage students to properly use technology. We find students with solid computer skills are more able to do the necessary recording of scientific observations faster, thus allowing them more time to focus on the key higher level thinking skills. While possession of a computer at home is not required, we strongly encourage it as a learning tool. Skyview does possess a large number of Macintosh computers that students have access to at various times of the day and af.

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©2006 John Schmied all rights reserved