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Welcome to Mr. Dowell's 2023-24 Science Class

For students who know the  math, science, social studies and language arts material, formulating explanations to help their peers helps to strengthen their understanding (Webb, Farivar, and Mastergeorge, 2002). Even when none of the group members knows the correct answer, activating one's peers as instructional resources in solving a problem has been shown to increase learning and correct responses (Smith et al., 2009).
 
Research on Collaborative Learning

Objective:

To guide 7th and 8th-grade students through comprehensive science curriculum that aligns with South Carolina standards, fostering critical thinking, scientific inquiry, and hands-on learning experiences.

7th Grade Science

1. The Nature of Science:

  • The scientific method: observations, hypotheses, experiments, analysis, and conclusions.
  • Safety in scientific research.
  • Importance of reproducibility and reliability.

2. Life Science:

  • Structure and function of cells.
  • Genetics: heredity, DNA, and variation.
  • The principles of evolution and natural selection.
  • The classification and characteristics of living organisms.
  • Ecosystems: energy flow, food webs, and biodiversity.

3. Earth and Atmospheric Science:

  • Weather patterns and climatic zones.
  • Earth's water: properties, distribution, and conservation.
  • Impact of human activities on climate and environment.

4. Astronomy:

  • Introduction to the solar system.
  • Characteristics and life cycles of stars.
  • The role of gravity in the universe.

8th Grade Science

1. Physical Science:

  • Matter: properties, states, and changes.
  • Basic principles of chemistry: elements, compounds, and mixtures.
  • Introduction to physics: forces, motion, and energy.
  • Sound and light: wave properties and behavior.
  • Electricity and magnetism: basics, circuits, and real-world applications.

2. Earth Science:

  • Geological time scale and Earth’s history.
  • Plate tectonics, earthquakes, and volcanoes.
  • Natural resources: identification, extraction, and conservation.

3. Environmental Science:

  • Human impact on the environment: pollution, deforestation, and conservation.
  • Introduction to sustainability and renewable resources.
  • The interconnection of living organisms and the environment.

4. Science and Technology:

  • The relationship between science, technology, and society.
  • Recent advancements and their implications.
  • The ethics of scientific and technological advancements.

Methodology:

  1. Lecture and Discussion: Introducing concepts and encouraging student participation to facilitate understanding.
  2. Hands-On Experiments: Reinforce theoretical knowledge with practical applications.
  3. Group Projects: Foster teamwork, problem-solving, and application of knowledge in real-world scenarios.
  4. Field Trips: For real-world exposure to certain scientific phenomena and processes.
  5. Guest Lectures: Bringing in experts from various fields to provide diverse perspectives.
  6. Assessment: Regular quizzes, projects, and examinations to measure comprehension and retention.

Resources:

  1. Textbooks aligned with South Carolina standards.
  2. Laboratory equipment for experiments.
  3. Digital resources: educational software, simulations, and online platforms.
  4. Field trip venues: museums, science centers, natural reserves, etc.