Science
The fifth through eighth grade science program builds on its Lower School base by taking students from hands on inquiry to complex lab work and lab journals, an introduction to chemistry, and initiation of extensive investigative methodologies. Students learn to integrate their understanding of science with the concepts and questions introduced in other curricular areas. In science, students grapple with guided ethical debate, use their mathematics skills and knowledge, and explore the greater world on macro and micro levels. The curriculum is designed to teach benchmarks found in national science standards as well as the Minnesota state standards for K-12 science education.
Fifth Grade
Fifth graders truly become scientists as they have the opportunity to guide their learning and design experimental opportunities. Part of what makes fifth grade science engaging is the hands on approach to understanding scientific concepts and ideas that they come across in the real world. This year in science, units students will study include:
- Models and Designs
- Environments
- Solar Energy
“It was because of my 7th and 8th grade science experience — especially all the labs — that led me to succeed in high school and college science and ulitmately to medical school.” – HMJDS Graduate
Sixth Grade
Sixth grade is the year when students really begin individual and independent scientific inquiry. Through the maintenance of an extensive lab journal, students are responsible for organizing and communicating the scientific ideas behind an experiment, documenting all of its steps and to the creation of new questions. Students are introduced to chemistry concepts and begin to make their own connections between the various areas of science. In this process, they discover that the processes learned in chemistry directly impact all of their earth science studies both past and present. In the introductory physics unit on flight, we apply these concepts to a new branch of science and, as a result, come away with a solid understanding of basic scientific principles and laws. This year in science, units students will study include:
- Chemistry
- Geology
- Astronomy
- Flight
Seventh Grade
In seventh grade, science students are introduced to many different facets of organisms in various learning environments. Over the course of the year the students’ scientific skills, conceptual knowledge of biological sciences, and understanding of ethical issues will be enhanced. Instruction includes hands-on experiments, class discussions and group work. Technology is incorporated in all areas of study. Additionally we focus on different investigative methodologies, presentation skills, and working collaboratively with others. This year in science, units students will study include:
- Organisms-Introduction to Biological Skills:
- Biological Evolution
The eighth grade year provides extensive lab experiences related to chemistry that enhance students’ scientific skills, conceptual knowledge, and understanding of properties of substances. Students create their own labs as well as learn specific lab techniques (e.g. fractional distillation) and form connections between science and industry. The students will have increased lab report writing requirements that incorporate graph and math skills. The labs connect to laws of science as well as the chemistry concepts covered will expand their analytical and synthesizing skills. Instruction will include hands-on experiments, class discussions and group work. This year in science, units students will study include:
- Chemistry
- Physical Science
- History and Nature of Science