BJHS Course Descriptions - Science

Science

6th Grade

There are four major units covered in sixth grade science:

1) Ecology - students explore the interactions among living things, cycles in nature, and the earth’s biomes.

2) Energy - includes the study of fossil fuels and alternate energy sources,  conservation, recycling, and pollution;

3) Electricity - students investigate currents, circuits, and the nature of        magnetism; and

4) Human Body - study of various systems and their functions including the reproductive system and the effects of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco on the human body.

Throughout the year we strive to develop process skills through various hands-on activities.

7th Grade - Life Science

In seventh grade, students study the various life forms on this planet and their relationships with each other and the environments in which they live. Plants and animals are used in the study of classification as well as in structure-function relations.  Microscopes (stereo and compound) are used in the study of structures, microorganisms, and cell study.  Some chemistry is introduced to explore and explain a few important life processes such as photosynthesis and respiration.  Laboratory equipment is used in the measurement of variables for making comparisons and graphing results.  Ecological topics include energy flow in communities and relationships between organisms.

8th Grade - Earth Science

           The eighth grade curriculum is divided into three units: Astronomy, Geology, and Meteorology. Some exploration of chemistry and physics is used to better understand the geologic and atmospheric systems of Earth, of our solar system, and of the universe. There is strong emphasis on use of the scientific method, metric measurement, and graphing.