7^th Grade:  LIFE SCIENCES
Students will begin their exploration by studying the nature of science itself.  They will learn how to observe and question events in their world.  Students will understand the importance of the scientific method and how it is applied.  Step by step, they will walk through the process of discovery, becoming familiar with laboratory tools, the metric system of measurements, and concepts such as mass, volume and density.  Armed with these basic but critical skills, students will then move through many facets of the life sciences.  Knowledge of cell structure, function, and development leads to cell theory and on to processes such as diffusion, osmosis, cell growth and division.  As the school year continues, the class will apply this foundation when examining the progressively more complex living things from viruses to fungi, to plants and on to the animal kingdom with all of its variety and amazing mystery.  In addition to their classroom and lab activities, 7th graders will participate in the JMPS Science Fair.

8^th Grade:  PHYSICAL SCIENCES
Studying the very building blocks of our universe highlights our scientific adventure this year.  Students will focus on the physical sciences which include some rudimentary concepts of both physics and chemistry.  They will learn about energy and its role in motion, forces, and machines.  Students will become familiar with Newton's three laws of motion, and his law of universal gravitation.  Then, they will stretch their minds to consider matter in its four phases and how it can change physically and chemically.  They will peer into the structure of the atom itself, and the forces controlling it.  The periodic table will become familiar and its structure understandable.  Foundations will be set in some rudimentary principles that students will build upon later in high school.  In addition to their classroom activities, 8^th graders will face “Machine Challenge,” participate in the JMPS Science Fair, and conduct a mock NASA Shuttle Mission.

Click on the course details sub pages to the left for more information.

Teacher Websites © 2012 Edline