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Course Description |
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This course provides a rigorous and comprehensive foundation for the 8th-grade student about
to enter high school science. It covers the relevant topics in all the major scientific disciplines, building on prior
knowledge and expanding on subjects introduced earlier in middle school. Students begin with a review of the scientific
process and get more into depth with the idea of critical analysis of theories and experimental research. They will move
on to discuss principles of physical science and energy. In the life science portion of the course, students will cover
structure and function of organisms, genetics and evolution, and tenets of ecology. This will flow into the environmental
science topics including earth’s cycles and environmental problems. A brief discussion of the solar system will also be
covered. Students will learn about the assigned topics through interactive activities, experimentation, discussion, and
engaging text and animations. Graded assignments will be stimulating and thought-provoking, hopefully paving the way
for future interest in the scientific disciplines.
Course Outline
Semester 1
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Science Theory and Science in the World
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Systems and Models
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The Atom and Properties of Matter
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Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures
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Formulas and Equations
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Force and Motion
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Newton and Gravity
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Waves
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Kinetic and Potential Energy
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Thermodynamics
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Heat Transfer and Review
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The Sun's Energy and the Environment
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Taxonomy
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The Animal Kingdom
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Body System Interactions
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Adaptations
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Adaptations Project
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Natural Selection
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Course Objectives |
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After completing each course, the student will be able to:
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Explain and use the methods and tools of scientific inquiry, applying them across scientific disciplines.
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Identify properties of an atom, element, compound, and mixture, and apply knowledge to use of formulas and
equations.
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Describe the concepts of friction, gravity, waves, and kinetic and potential energy.
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Apply knowledge of structure and function of organisms to categorize them taxonomically and compare and contrast
across the taxonomic levels.
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Define and give examples of adaptations and explain how they apply to genetics and evolution.
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Describe energy flow in terms of food webs and trophic levels, involving biotic and abiotic components.
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Identify features of the major biomes.
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Describe the environmental cycles involving water, nitrogen, and carbon and discuss the global implications of altering
them.
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Identify sources of environmental distress and discuss different measures that humans are taking, or may take in the
future, to improve the health of the planet.
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Attitude |
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There are two kinds of people in the world: those who make excuses and those who get results. An excuse person will find any excuse for why a job was not done, and a results person will find any reason why it can be done. Be a creator, not a reactor. |
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-- Alan Cohen, A Deep Breath Of Life |
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