6th Grade students develop an understanding of what constitutes a good investigation and how explanation relates to experimental design. Investigations help students learn how science works. Students are introduced to an understanding of how theories are constructed and an appreciation for the explanatory and predictive power of theories. Students have experiences applying and practicing science skills and processes across the modular areas.
7th Grade students build on an understanding of what constitutes a good investigation and experimental design. Investigations help students learn how science works. These experiences are supported with selected readings. Students develop an understanding of how theories are constructed and find both historical and modern examples of the theory development process and develop an appreciation for the explanatory and predictive power of theories. Students have experiences applying and practicing science skills and processes across the modular areas.
8th Grade students become more systematic and sophisticated in conducting investigations, some of which may last for weeks. This means closing in on explanations as they relate to experimental design. By the end of Grade 8, students will have had multiple experiences applying and practicing science skills and processes across the modular areas in preparation for high school science courses.