Teaching and Learning

Sunlight and Energy
Students will explore the properties and nature of light energy and how light interacts with various surfaces to develop an understanding and explanation of phenomena related to perception of color, energy transfer, and communication.

Growth and Development
Students explore how life is made possible on Earth, in part by the radiant energy provided by our Sun. After a review of the properties and characteristics of living and nonliving things, students investigate various cell types and cell parts to understand the relationship between the structure and function of living things. Students develop models to explain various cell processes, emphasizing cell transport, photosynthesis, and cellular respiration. Students will learn how cells combine to form tissues, which combine to make organs and organ systems, making complex life possible.

Inheritance of Traits
Students learn about sexual and asexual reproduction as processes that allow for the passing of genetic material from one generation to the next, laying a foundation for a focus on heredity and genetics. Students model DNA structure, DNA replication, the cell cycle, and how DNA codes for proteins. Students use Punnett squares and pedigrees to understand and make predictions based on certain inheritance patterns. Students also investigate other means of trait acquisition, including horizontal gene transfer, types of genetic mutations, and the role of the environment.

Motion, Forces and Energy
In this physical science unit, students explore the interactions of objects at or near Earth's surface. Students study the relationships between force, mass, position, energy, and motion of objects, and apply Newton's laws of motion to model and make predictions about the interactions of objects.