Magnet Program Science Course
Offerings
Science
The goal of the magnet science program to provide
students with the knowledge and the means to become
life-long learners and scientifically literate adults.
The program is designed to interest students in
current scientific topics, while accentuating the
interlocking nature of mathematics, computer, and
science. Emphasis is placed on content, scientific
inquiry, and the ability to use science to analyze
problems. Students are asked to use skills from their
mathematics and computer classes to organize, analyze,
and summarize data. The science program is a connected
curriculum that focuses each year on various aspects
of life science, Earth science, and physical science.
Over the course of three years, the units cover the
objectives cataloged in the MCPS science sixth through
eighth grade curriculum guide.
Each year emphasis is placed on an independent
scientific project. This provides students with a
culminating experience to improve their inquiry and
experimental design skills. Students work on their own
science fair/engineering project, focusing on good
experimentation, data collection and analysis, and
technical writing skills. As the student progresses
through the Magnet Program, each project increases the
student's critical thinking skills, preparing them to
be scientifically literate adults.
Sixth Grade
The sixth grade science program is taught from a
constructivist approach, in that students use hands-on
activities to investigate scientific principles.
Ecosystems, Populations and Diversity
Students are introduced to the concept of the
interrelationship between organisms and their
environment. A local stream study enhances student
appreciation of Maryland ecology and current issues
involving the environment with special emphasis on the
Chesapeake Bay. Energy flow and nutrient cycles are
studied. This unit contains an overview of the history
of life on Earth and the forces that change organisms
over time.
Forces and Motion
Students explore energy sources, energy
transformations, work, power, simple machines,
mechanical advantage, and Newton's Laws of Motion. To
demonstrate proficiency with these concepts, students
design, build, and demonstrate a Rube Goldberg type
device according to specifications set by the teacher.
Students investigate robotics in a joint mini-unit
between science and computer classes.
Measuring Time
The study of motion is extended to celestial
objects in this unit. Students investigate patterns
such as lunar cycles, constellations, and tides and
build various devices to measure time.
Interdisciplinary connections are made with world
studies and English units on ancient civilizations and
Greek mythology.
Beginning Chemistry
A firm foundation is provided in the nature of
matter, subatomic structure, chemical formulae,
chemical reactions, and chemical equations. Emphasis
is placed upon the use of models and indirect evidence
to understand microscopic phenomena.
Seventh Grade
The content of seventh grade science continues the
connected approach begun in grade six. The emphasis is
on the structure and function of complex systems. The
year begins with a study of meteorology at the peak of
hurricane season. Then a study of the solar system
develops the topic of astronomy started in the
measuring time unit the year before. During the spring
semester, emphasis is placed on life science which
continues the sixth grade unit on ecosystems. This
includes an introduction to genetics and a study of
the organization, form, and function of the body's
cells, tissues, and organ systems. Throughout the
year, skills of inquiry and experimental design are
highlighted and reinforced.
Astronomy
The astronomy unit includes the study of the sun,
the planets and their moons, and smaller objects such
as asteroids and comets. The students combine math
applications and scientific principles to investigate
the force of gravity and the motion of objects in the
solar system.
Meteorology
Students focus on factors responsible for the
formation of global and local weather patterns. They
investigate the composition of the atmosphere and the
transfer of energy between air, land, and water. The
unit ends with students tracking hurricanes in a
culminating interdisciplinary project.
Heredity
Students are introduced to the study of genetics
and its importance to both the continuity and change
of living things. They investigate how traits are
passed from one generation to the next with an
emphasis on probability.
Body Systems
Exploration of the structure and function of the
human machine at both the microscopic and macroscopic
levels is presented in this unit. The study of the
body's tissues and organ systems (the immune,
musculoskeletal, and nervous systems) illustrates the
complex organization of living things. Students
investigate the effects of disease on the human body
and the community.
Eighth Grade
During eighth grade, students will complete the
remaining MCPS sixth through eighth grade science
objectives. The design and organization of the spiral
curriculum allows time for a special unit on space
studies.
Geology
The study of the chemical structure and properties
of the Earth's rocks and minerals is included in this
unit. Students learn the vital role the Earth's
natural resources plays in our society and the
importance of proper stewardship of those resources.
The unit concludes with students actively
participating in a discussion of plate tectonics and
how their movement causes volcanoes and earthquakes.
Light and Sound
Students study the electromagnetic spectrum and
stellar spectra in this physics mini-course. They work
with a variety of lenses. Current topics include
LASERs, fiber optics, and their applications in
medicine, communications, and industry. Students
research the most current tools of astronomers.
Students also explore the phenomenon of waves,
including resonance, frequency, and transmission
through different media.
Chemistry
Topics in this unit include the properties of
different elements and classification of the elements
based on these characteristics, chemical and physical
changes, conservation of mass, and chemical reactions.
Space Studies
This special unit is taught to coincide with the
eighth grade Florida trip. Students learn to
understand the structure of the United States space
program (NASA), the engineering of the space shuttle
stack, the structure and politics of the International
Space Station, how space affects the human body and
its systems (space physiology), and orbital mechanics.
