This year will see 7th grade science exploring some new avenues in the field of science. There are some exciting new features this year that include, a new textbook with an on-line version, the latest in science technology, and new areas of scientific study.

The textbook

After 6 years of using the Prentice Hall science explorer series the science department has decided to stay with Prentice Hall, but switch to their new Life Science textbook for the 7th grade. The 7th grade will be shifting from the half chemistry , half biology format to a complete life science focus. This will enable us to provide a comprehensive overview of life sciences for our middle school students.

The technology

The MS science department has invested in the state-of-the-art Vernier LoggerPro hardware. This will enable us to teach our students how to operate the latest in science technology. LoggerPro with LabPro digitizers will allow CA students to conduct some exciting new labs specially designed for middle school students. This new equipment will hopefully become the centre of a new course designed to teach the basics of scientific thinking, scientific calculations, graphing, interpreting data, converting units, and producing thorough conclusions.

The topics

The additions of a new textbook and new technology will result in some changes to the topics studied this year. These topics will involve studying living organisms from the ground up. Starting with the structure and functions of a simple cell, through the families of organisms, through the environmental impact on these, through a detailed study of DNA and its role in organisms, and finally the study of the Human Body and the impact of diseases.