Science Overview 6-8

  • Science Philosophy

     

     

    District 203 believes in a student-centered environment that will spark imagination and curiosity through inquiry-driven investigations and inspire critical interpretation of science information.

    Students will actively participate in science and engineering practices to understand the core ideas and connections between physical, Earth and space, and life science and to understand, use, and interpret scientific explanations of natural phenomena.

    Students will be empowered to draw, share, and defend conclusions based on evidence and design solutions that can be applied to the world around them.

     
    The Three Dimensions of Science Learning

    Within the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), there are three distinct and equally important dimensions to learning science—Science and Engineering Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Disciplinary Core Ideas. These dimensions are combined to form each standard—or performance expectation—and each dimension works with the other two to help students build a cohesive understanding of science over time. 

     

    6-8 Science Overview

    Below is the progression of learning for science in District 203 for junior high.

    Science & Engineering Practices
    • Asking Questions & Defining Problems     
    • Developing & Using Models
    • Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
    • Using Mathematical & Computational Thinking
    • Constructing Explanations & Designing Solutions Engaging in Argument from Evidence
    • Obtaining, Evaluating, & Communicating Information
    Timeframe & Connections 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade
    Crosscutting Concepts
    Systems & System Models
    Energy & Matter
    Stability & Change
    Scale, Proportion, & Quantity
    Structure & Function 
    Structure & Function
    Patterns
    Cause & Effect 
    Trimester 1
    Disciplinary
    Core Ideas 
    • Weather & Climate
    • Land, Water, and Human Interactions
    • Astronomy
    • Evidence of Evolution
    • Principles of Evolution
    • Technology and Evolution
    Trimester 2
    Disciplinary
    Core Ideas 
    • Geological Processes
    • Chemistry
    • Genetics and Heredity
    • Thermal Energy
    • Waves
    Trimester 3
    Disciplinary
    Core Ideas 
    • Ecology
    • Forces, Motion, and Energy
    • Cells-Biochemistry
    • Foreces and FIelds
    • Earth's Resources