7th Grade Science and Honors Science

7th Grade Science

A grade level course designed to be an introductory lab course for the 7th grade science curriculum. Students will be introduced to science processing skills through hands-on laboratory activities, problem-solving situations, open-ended investigations, and cooperative/collaborative work. The emphasis will be on the life sciences with a continuation of the study of the physical sciences in the 8th grade. The topics in the 7th grade may include: The Structural Organization of Organisms, Genetics, The Diversity of Species, Earth and Life History, Structure and Function in Living Systems, Physical Principles in Living Systems, and Scientific Process. A unit in Family Life is also included as part of the curriculum.

7th Grade Honors Science

Science 7 Honors courses will provide students with a rigorous curriculum that teaches to the same standards as the Science 7 courses. At the honors level, however, extended learning activities will require students to increase their use of critical thinking skills to include analysis, synthesis, and problem-solving. The curriculum moves at an accelerated pace with a more concentrated focus.  As an advanced life science course, there is a deeper focus on environmental and marine biology to prepare for high school freshman Honors Science (AP Environmental Science). Students also experience project-based learning through a year-long learning opportunity to apply knowledge and skills, allowing students to go in-depth with a real-life science project. Furthermore, in this course, there are opportunities for students to work with professional scientists and other collaborators to expose and inspire students to real-life applications of science.