Science Department
Advanced Science 6 – Investigations in Science 6
Investigations in Science 6 is a problem/project-based curriculum. Instruction is interwoven around a relevant problem/project to allow a focus for student learning. Students engage in minds-on inquiry and hands-on explorations, productive discourse, and purposeful reading and writing. Units studied in IS6 center around topics related to ecosystems, diversity and adaptation of organisms, forces and motion, energy, and light and sound. Students engage in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in order to propose solutions to identified problems.
Outdoor Education
Every Grade 6 MCPS student has the opportunity to participate in outdoor and environmental learning through authentic, engaging, and interdisciplinary experiences at the Residential Outdoor and Environmental Education program. Using the natural world as both a laboratory and classroom, literacy and mathematical skills are integrated into the outdoor education experiences. The course of study does the following:
- Provides students with field experiences where scientific processes are used to investigate the environment, and where components of the MCPS Grade 6 curriculum are taught in a real-world setting. Students actively participate in Chesapeake Bay watershed lessons, including stream quality analysis and an in-depth study of predator-prey relationships.
- Engages students in learning experiences during which they apply classroom knowledge and practice problem solving strategies.
- Fosters inquiry, collaboration, and thinking in an atmosphere that utilizes various learning modalities and allows
for informal and formative assessment. - Builds positive interpersonal relationships as students learn and practice positive human relations skills with their
peers and teachers. - Encourages students to be active stewards of the environment in their daily life.
At the Grade 6 Outdoor and Environmental Education program, students stay in dormitory-style housing at one of three
sites. A fee is charged for this program, set by the Board of Education, but funds exist for any student who may have difficulty meeting the financial requirements of the program. All students are strongly encouraged to attend the residential outdoor and environmental education program.
Advanced Science 7: Investigation in Science (IS)
The middle school science program allows students to investigate both the concepts and process skills of science. At
each grade level, topics in earth science, biology, chemistry, and physics are interconnected to show students relationships between the sciences and the natural world. Inquiry and laboratory investigations are an integral part of the program. Problem solving and online investigations are used continually to allow students to investigate authentic Like IS6, IS7 is a problem/project-based curriculum. Instruction is interwoven around a relevant problem/project to allow a focus for student learning. Students engage in minds-on inquiry and hands-on explorations, productive discourse, and purposeful reading and writing. Units studied in IS7 center around topics related to biochemistry, genetics, structure and function, and biotechnology. Students engage in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in order to propose solutions to identified problems. Dissection is one of the many instructional methods that may be used in middle school science. Students may request one of the teacher’s alternatives to dissection in these classes. Alternatives may include such materials as videotapes, charts, diagrams, and textbook overlays.
Investigations In Earth and Space Systems
The middle school science program allows students to investigate both the concepts and process skills of science. At each grade level, topics in earth science, biology, chemistry, and physics are interconnected to show students the relationships that exist between the sciences and in the natural world. Inquiry and laboratory investigations are an integral part of the program. Problem solving and online investigations are used continually to allow students to investigate authentic problems and reinforce science concepts. The middle school science program was developed through a National Science Foundation grant and reflects the Maryland and National Science Content Standards. High expectations and differentiated instruction allow all students a challenging and engaging access to science.
earth/Space Systems is a problem/project based curriculum. Instruction is interwoven around a relevant problem/project to allow a focus for student learning. The course emphasizes the dynamic processes of systems on and inside the Earth and its surrounding space environment. Topics include the following interrelated systems: hydrosphere, cryosphere, geosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere. Students engage in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in order to propose solutions to the identified problem.
Current students and parents may access complete course overviews via Edline.