| Science units we will be studying this year:
PLATE TECTONICS - 5th Grade, Semester 1
The theory of plate tectonics represents a revolutionary breakthrough in the
earth sciences, providing a coherent model of how the outer surface of the
Earth moves and changes. In Quest, students will investigate this theory and
create models of erupting volcanoes, strike-slip faults, rock layers, and
sea-floor spreading to help reveal the dynamic nature of the Earth's crust
ENVIRONMENTAL DETECTIVES - 5th Grade, Semester 1
Students will explore a range of crucial environmental issues as they
investigate and solve a "crime": a mysterious environmental calamity in
which fish die off over a five-year period. Potential causes of the fish
dying include chlorine pollution, acid rain, erosion and sediment pollution,
predator-prey relationships, phosphate pollution and algal blooms, and oil
pollution. In this real-world learning scenario, students become aware of
the interconnectedness of the natural world and the complexity of many
environmental problems. They discover that science and society are
inextricably linked, and that most solutions require compromise.
GLOBAL WARMING & THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT - 6th Grade, Semester 2
Students will explore a range of crucial environmental issues as they
investigate the problem of global warming, its effects and causes. Students
will learn that science is not simply a list of clear-cut facts to be
memorized, but rather an approach to learning about the world that requires
honesty, judgment, creativity, as well as knowledge and skills. Students
will understand that science is a human endeavor that can enable people to
gain an increased understanding of, and some foresight and control over,
their environment.
MESSAGES FROM SPACE - 6th Grade, Semester 2
Astronomy is an exciting evolving science with new technologies making fresh
discoveries every day. Rather than memorizing facts, this unit will use
information to answer such questions as “Where in the solar system are
conditions favorable for life? How does our solar system fit in with the
rest of space? Could life exist on other planets and can we communicate with
those lifeforms?" By the end of this unit, using critical questioning,
simulations, investigations, and creative writing, students will have gained
considerable knowledge about the science of astonomy—and, hopefully, will be
motivated to ponder and pursue more and bigger questions on the subject in
the future.
LIVING WITH A STAR - 6th Grade, Semester 2
During this unit, students become solar scientists, studying fascinating and
lesser-known aspects of Sun and Earth interactions. Using research,
experiments and simulations, students learn important and useful concepts in
earth and space science, technology, physics, and health science. Students
will also gain experience making considered choices—now and in the future—
that will impact themselves, their community and the planet as a whole.
Science units studied in previous years:
LEARNING ABOUT LEARNING
How do humans learn? Do animals learn in a similar way? How do we learn
things that are important for survival? Does the structure of our brains
change as we learn? This unit focuses on these kinds of questions on how we
acquire, assess, and retain information. In this interdisciplinary guide,
students delve into the human organism and nervous system, animal behavior,
health and safety issues, product testing, and the ethics of
experimentation. In the process, they learn a great deal about what
scientists actually do.
MARS ROBOTICS
In this unit, students will conduct independent research on Mars and its
exploration by robotic rovers, including the technology behind the rovers.
Then, student teams will construct and program their own LEGO Mars rovers
and guide them through simulated Mars environments.
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