SCIENCE

MC601 Science Technology Grade Placement: 6

Prerequisite: Gifted and

Talented Identification

The Science Technology program focuses on research techniques, procedures, and statistical methods. Appropriate instructional strategies and computer technology provide for advanced learning utilizing higher level thinking skills and processes to solve complex problems and create innovative products. Topics studied include biology, water systems, astronomy, and robotics. Students apply advanced-level statistics in their studies and prepare a science fair project.

MC611, MC621, MC631 Science Grade Placement: 6

In Grade 6, the study of science includes: conducting field and laboratory investigations using scientific methods, analyzing data, making informed decisions, and using tools to collect, analyze, and record information; the use computers, computer probes, and information technology tools to support scientific investigations; identify components of the solar system, changes in objects including position, direction, and speed when acted upon by a force, life processes and the relationships between structure and function of organisms, and sources of water in a watershed; investigate the rock cycle and classify substances by their chemical properties; and learn about the natural world, become familiar with systems as seen as a collection of cycles, structures, and processes that interact.

MC701 Science Technology Grade Placement: 7

Prerequisite: Gifted and

Talented Identification

The Science Technology program focuses on research techniques, procedures, and statistical methods. Appropriate instructional strategies and computer technology provide for advanced learning utilizing higher level thinking skills and processes to solve complex problems and create innovative products. Topics studied include chemistry, genetics, research skills, and computer-based statistics. Students prepare a science fair project using multimedia tools.

MC711, MC721, MC731 Science I Grade Placement: 7

In Grade 7, the study of science includes: conducting field and laboratory investigations using scientific methods, critical thinking, and problem solving; the use of tools such as weather instruments and calculators to collect and analyze information to explain a phenomenon; the use of computers, computer probes, and information technology tools to support scientific investigations; investigations to learn about the natural world; identification of gravity and phases of the moon as components of the solar system; and the identification of photosynthesis as an example of the transformation of radiant energy from the sun into chemical energy for use by plants. In addition, students explore the following: the use of pulleys and levers to understand the relationship between force and motion, and learn about kinetic and potential energy; the effects of events such as hurricanes on the earth; and systems as a collection of cycles, structures, and processes that interact. They further investigate systems in humans to identify their structures and functions by comparing asexual and sexual reproduction to illustrate genetic materials are responsible for both dominant and recessive traits in organisms.

MC801 Science Technology Grade Placement: 8

Prerequisite: Gifted and

Talented Identification

The Science Technology program focuses on research techniques, procedures, and statistical methods. Appropriate instructional strategies and computer technology provide for advanced learning utilizing higher level thinking skills and processes to solve complex problems and create innovative products. Topics studied include brain studies, geology, weather, computer technology, and an independent research unit. Students prepare a science fair project using multimedia tools.

MC811, MC821, MC831 Science Grade Placement: 8

In Grade 8, the study of science includes: planning and conducting field and laboratory investigations using scientific methods; analyzing data; critical thinking; scientific problem solving; using tools such as telescopes to collect and analyze information; using computers, computer probes, and information technology tools to support scientific investigations; identifying the roles of both human activities and natural events in altering earth systems; learning that stars and galaxies are part of the universe; identifying light years as a way to describe distance; learning about scientific theories of the origin of the universe; and learning about lunar cycles and the rock cycles as cycles within earth systems. In addition, students: examine information on the periodic table to recognize that elements are grouped into families; demonstrate that exothermic and endothermic chemical reactions indicate that energy is lost or gained during a chemical reaction; explore interactions in matter and energy in solar, weather, and ocean systems; identify the origin of waves and investigate their ability to travel through different media; predict possible outcomes that result from different genetic combinations and explore the extinction of some species; and learn about the natural world by doing investigations and understanding the important role of systems in these investigations.