middle school course descriptions

Earth and Physical Science is an integrated middle school science course that will cover a wide range of topics, but will focus on the areas of geology, chemistry, and physics. Although the middle school sciences are not designated at "Pre-AP" or "Honors," this course is designed to challenge students and prepare them for success in their high school science courses. Since the class will meet only once per week, students will be given approximately 2.5-3 hours of homework to complete during the week between classes. Much of our class time will be spent engaged in laboratory experiments, although we will always take time to go over material students found difficult in their home studies.

Life and Environmental Science is an integrated middle school science course that will cover a wide range of topics, but will focus on the areas of biology and environmental science. Although the middle school sciences are not designated as "Pre-AP" or "Honors," this course is designed to challenge students and prepare them for success in their high school science courses. Since the class will meet only once per week, students will be given approximately 2.5-3 hours of homework to complete during the week between classes. Much of our class time will be spent engaged in laboratory experiments, although we will always take time to go over material students found difficult in their home studies.

Forensic Science is a lab-based course recommended for early high school age students and mature 8th graders. The course introduces students to the techniques and procedures used to scientifically investigate crime scenes. Forensic Science is interdisciplinary, incorporating topics from biology, chemistry, physics, and geology in the collection and analysis of physical evidence such as fingerprints, DNA, blood, fibers, hair, impressions, toxicology, soil, pollen, glass, handwriting, ballistics, and bones. Because of the nature of the subject, the course is not recommended for students younger than 8th grade.