Middle School science is interdisciplinary in nature; however, much of the content focus is on physical science in Grade 6, in Grade 7 the focus is on organisms and the environment, and in Grade 8 focus is on earth and space science.
Grade 6 will concentrate on developing an understanding of elements and compounds; Renewable, nonrenewable, or indefinite energy resources; Force, motion, and energy; Earth as part of our solar system; and taxonomic classifications of organisms.
Grade 7 student understands that Matter and energy are conserved throughout living systems. Organic compounds are composed of carbon and other elements that are recycled due to chemical changes that rearrange the elements for the particular needs of that living system. Force, motion, and energy are observed in living systems and the environment in several ways. Both natural events and human activities can impact Earth systems.
In Grade 8, students recognize that matter is composed of atoms. Students examine information on the Periodic Table to recognize that elements are grouped into families. Students experiment with the relationship between forces and motion through the study of Newton’s three laws. Students identify the role of natural events in altering Earth systems. Cycles within Sun, Earth, and Moon systems are studied as students learn about seasons, tides, and lunar phases. In studies of living systems, students explore the interdependence between these systems.
