Course Description
This course brings together some of the most fascinating sciences—general, physical, earth, and life sciences—essential for investigating the world. After learning common measurement systems and the essentials of lab safety, students are ready to apply the scientific method to everyday situations such as a broken lamp or a hungry dog. Students learn about matter and energy, and about electromagnetic waves and the electromagnetic spectrum, focusing on the properties of visible light. Earth itself becomes the focus as students study the different geologic eras in Earth’s history, the parts of the planet, and phenomena including earthquakes and volcanoes. Delving into Earth’s past, students examine the fossil record and discover the clues it provides about the histories of numerous species and how they adapted to their environments. Students learn how species change over time through mutation and natural selection. Finally, students explore food webs, the roles of different organisms in an ecosystem, and the reasons that preserving Earth’s limited natural resources through conservation efforts are imperative.

Course Breakdown

Fields of science
History of science
Measurement
Metric system
Lab equipment
Lab safety
Scientific method
Scientific theories and scientific laws
Earth science
Life science
Matter
Elements and molecules
Phases of matter Energy
Temperature and heat
Mass
Gravity
Newton’s laws
Waves
Visible light
Earth’s atmosphere
Weather
Geology
Rock cycle

Course Goals
Define science and summarize the processes of the scientific methods.
Explain the methods used for taking measurements and handling numerical data.
Describe the equipment used in the lab and how to use it safely.
Compare the characteristics of hypotheses, theories, and laws.
Classify the categories and phases of matter. Describe the nature of energy and its effect on matter.
Investigate Newton’s laws of motion and how machines allow work to be done using less force.
Identify the characteristics of waves and how they interact with matter.
Demonstrate how severe weather systems form.
Explain the basic principles of geology in terms of the rock cycle and the structure of Earth.