BMS – SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
Science Department is transitioning into the NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) http://www.nextgenscience.org/get-to-know
NGSS Practices:
1. Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering)
2. Developing and using models
3. Planning and carrying out investigations
4. Analyzing and interpreting data
5. Using mathematics and computational thinking
6. Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering)
7. Engaging in argument from evidence
8. Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
NGSS Cross-Cutting Concepts:
1. Patterns.
2. Cause and effect: Mechanism and explanation.
3. Scale, proportion, and quantity
4. Systems and system models.
5. Energy and matter: Flows, cycles, and conservation
6. Structure and function
7. Stability and change
6th Grade Earth Science
Sixth grade science classes incorporate Engineering Design Challenges for each unit of study.
Engineering Design Process
Geology (Minerals & Rocks)
Weathering and Erosion
Plate Tectonics
Earthquakes & Volcanoes
Geologic Time
Weather
Astronomy
6th Grade Science Teachers:
Clare Clear cclear@pthsd.net
Elena Gerber egerber@pthsd.net
Mary Pantina mpantina@pthsd.net
Kristine Skinner kaskinner@pthsd.net
7th Grade Life Science
Seventh grade science focuses on the study of living organisms and also includes the use of the engineering design process.
Common themes among living organisms:
- Microscopic structures in cells and their functions,
- Human body systems and interactions including the frog dissection
- Genetics and heredity,
- Ecosystems and ecology
- How adaptations can lead to changes in populations.
7th grade science teachers:
Laura Fitzgerald lfitzgerald@pthsd.net
Renee Harris rharris@pthsd.net
Kellie Malloy kmalloy@pthsd.net
Donna Ricker (Lead teacher) dricker@pthsd.net
8th Grade Physical Science & Intro to Physical Science (IPS)
8th grade science focuses on chemical and physical properties of matter and also includes the use of the engineering design process.
Physical Science topics include:
- Introduction to Physics
- Motion: Speed, velocity, and acceleration
- Forces
- Newton’s Laws
- Introduction to Chemistry
- Classification of matter
- Phases of Matter
- Periodic Table
- Chemical Equations
8th grade science teachers:
Paula Maas pmaas@pthsd.net
Alexandra Dell'Arena
Tom Walek twalek@pthsd.net
Maureen Wilson mawilson@pthsd.net