Middle School Science (6-7-8) A / B

This is a two-semester class.
	
Science 6A is an integrated science course that covers topics selected from Earth and space science and physical science. This course discusses the structure and properties of matter, force interactions between objects, and Earth and space systems. In the first unit, you’ll explore the composition of matter and atomic arrangements of substances. In the second unit, you’ll identify forces and analyze the motion of objects using words, equations, and graphs. In the last unit, you will study interactions in the solar system and the role that gravity plays in the motion of celestial bodies.
	
Science 6B is an integrated science course that covers topics selected from Earth and space science and life science. This course discusses Earth’s history, its ecosystems, and its climate and weather. In the first unit, you’ll explore the history of Earth and how natural forces such as wind and water shape its formation. In the second unit, you’ll study the relationships between the physical and biological elements of Earth’s ecosystems. In the last unit, you will discover how the uneven heating of Earth from the Sun leads to its various climates and weather patterns.
	
Science 7A discusses the major life processes of organisms, including nutrition, growth and development, and reproduction. In the first unit, you’ll explore the cell as the structural and functional unit of life. The second unit covers the growth, development, and modes of reproduction in different plants and animals. In the third unit, you’ll learn about sensory receptors, photosynthesis, and cycles of energy transfer that occur in nature.
	
Science 7B is about matter and energy. It discusses chemical changes that occur in matter, and it teaches how to identify different forms of energy. The course also covers force fields and the factors that affect their strength. In the first unit, you’ll apply the law of conservation of energy to the products and reactants in a chemical reaction. In the second unit, you’ll be introduced to gravitational, electric, and magnetic force fields. In the third unit, you’ll learn more about energy transformations in objects and systems as you study kinetic energy, potential energy, and thermal energy.
	
Science 8A is an integrated science course that covers topics selected from Earth science and life science. This course discusses genes and inheritance, the evolution of species, and managing energy resources on Earth. In the first unit, you will explain how an organism’s genes transfer traits from parents to offspring. You’ll also learn about genetic diversity and genetic mutations. In the second unit, you’ll compare the anatomy and development of species to give evidence for evolution. You’ll also see how fossils and rock strata on Earth hold important clues about evolution. In the third unit, you will differentiate between renewable and nonrenewable energy resources on Earth. You’ll see how energy transforms as it moves from one sphere of Earth to another. In hands-on activities, you’ll devise ways to harness and control energy for human benefit.
	
Science 8B is an integrated science course that covers topics selected from Earth and space science, physical science, and life science. This course discusses climate change and methods for confronting it, the physical features of waves and wave technology, and the positive and negative ways that humans and technology affect the Earth and its ecosystems. In the first unit, you’ll study the factors that have led to climate change and explore scientific solutions to address these changes. In the second unit, you’ll learn how waves and interactions between them can be used to develop new technologies. In the third unit, you’ll broaden your knowledge of technology-based and human-based threats to the environment and find ways to reduce their negative impact.