forces of nature. Students will present the
results of a research and experimental proj-
ect or a research and an engineering project
in a STEM Fair setting. Participation in the
District STEM Fair is strongly encouraged.
Instructional Focus: Students will make in
depth observations, ask questions, and
generate creative and valid explanations.
Students will be encouraged to apply skills
and concepts to their everyday lives. Investi-
gations will encourage higher order thinking
and will have an increased pace and rigor.
Science 7 [Life Science]
[full year]
Intended Audience: Grade 7
Major Outcomes:
• Investigate cells, heredity and changes
in biological populations over time.
• Investigate diversity among organisms,
human biology and ecology.
• Increase knowledge of the history and
nature of science through scientific
inquiry and experimental design.
Projects/Activities: May include cell labs,
microscope use, cell models, ADAM
human body software, owl pellet field
study, dissections, and ecosystem models.
Instructional Focus: Students will work
individually, as well as in small and large
groups. They will be involved in hands-on
experiments, investigations, model
design and creation, observations and
data collection and analysis.
Advanced Life Science 7
[full year]
Prerequisite/Selection Process:
District Placement Process
Intended Audience: Grade 7
Major Outcomes:
• Increase knowledge of the history
and nature of science through scientific
inquiry and experimental design.
• Investigate cells, heredity, and changes
in biological populations over time.
• Understand diversity among organisms,
human biology and ecology.
This course will address the same major
concepts as Science 7 [Life Science], but at
an accelerated pace to allow for increased
depth and integrated use of technology.
Students will complete the PLTW Medical
Detectives Engineering module.
Projects/Activities: These will include lab
investigations, field studies and use of
computer technology. Students will
Middle School Registration Guide
present the results of a research and
experimental project in a STEM Fair setting.
Participation in the District STEM Fair is
strongly encouraged.
Instructional Focus: Students will work on
in-depth analysis of life science concepts
individually and in collaborative teams. This
will include inquiry based investigation,
model design, observation, data collection
and analysis.
Science 8 [Earth Science]
[full year]
Intended Audience: Grade 8
Major Outcomes:
• Increase knowledge of the nature of
science and engineering processes
through inquiry and experimental design.
• Develop an understanding of the basic
structure of matter.
• Explore astronomy with a focus on the
Sun, Earth, and Moon.
• Develop an understanding of the geo-
logic processes that shape the Earth.
• Review the hydrologic cycle and its
impact on water sources.
• Understand the meteorological
processes that drive weather and
climate.
Projects/Activities: May include physical and
chemical change activities, explorations of
moon phases, rock and mineral identifica-
tion, geologic modeling, weather data
collection, and heat transfer studies.
Instructional Focus: Students will work
individually as well as in small groups.
They will be involved in inquiry-based
experiments, investigations of relevant
topics, model design and creation,
observation, data collection, and analysis.
Advanced Science 8 [Earth Science]
[full year]
Prerequisite/Selection Process:
District Placement Process
Intended Audience: Grade 8
Major Outcomes:
• Advanced Science 8 addresses the same
Minnesota science standards as Science
8 [Earth Science]. Students in this course
will move through the basic concepts at
a quicker pace to allow for more in depth
study. There will be a greater emphasis
on data collection and analysis. In addi-
tion, students in this course will work
more independently and conduct addi-
tional research outside the school day.
• Increase knowledge of the nature of sci-
ence and engineering processes through
inquiry and experimental design.
• Develop an understanding of the basic
structure of matter.
• Explore astronomy with a focus on the
Sun, Earth, and Moon.
• Develop an understanding of the geo-
logic processes that shape the Earth.
• Review the hydrologic cycle and its
impact on water sources.
• Understand the meteorological
processes that drive weather and
climate.
Projects/Activities: May include physical and
chemical change activities, explorations of
moon phases, rock and mineral identifica-
tion, geologic modeling, weather data col-
lection, and heat transfer studies. Students
will present the results of a research and an
experimental project or a research and an
engineering project in a STEM Fair setting.
Participation in the District STEM Fair is
strongly encouraged.
Instructional Focus: Students will work
individually as well as in small groups.
They will be involved in inquiry-based
experiments, investigations of relevant
topics, model design and creation,
observation, data collection, and analysis.
PLTW Gateway [DSF]
[elective or required, every other day]
Intended Audience: Grades 7 and 8
This course may replace the Technical
Education requirement in grade 7.
Major Outcomes:
• Experience a scientific environment
involving design, creativity, and team
problem solving.
• Understand the engineering process
from concept to production.
• Explore how science has affected
technology throughout history by
looking at concepts in nanotechnology,
physics and chemistry.
• Explore the science behind aeronautics
and use software to experience space
travel.
Projects/Activities: Students will be intro-
duced to various software throughout
the course such as 3D-CAD, NASA flight
simulator, and on-line resources to provide
enriched learning experiences. Additional
design and hands-on experiences are
integrated throughout the course.
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