South Tahoe Middle School

Science Program

Curriculum Leader: Susie Marx Ext. 246

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South Tahoe Middle School has a comprehensive science program in all grades. In all classes the scientific method and the investigation process is stressed. Our program is aligned with the California State Science Standards for grades 6 - 8. Below is an overview of each grade:

6th Grade

The focus in 6th grade is on Earth Science. We investigate the following topics: Plate Tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, rocks and minerals, shaping of the Earth's surface, weather, and ecology. The Scientific Method is taught and used in conducting serveral experiments each year, including six activities/experiments taught in every classroom. A variety of hands-on activities are used throughout the year. Field trips are also taken to apply real world experiences to our classroom activities. We use the Trout Creek watershed as an outside laboratory for many of these experiements and hands-on activities.

7th Grade

The 7th grade curriculum focuses on Life Science and includes many opportunities for hands-on activities as well. The basic outline for the year is:

  1. Introduction to Life Science: Scientific Method, Process Skills, Lab Safety, Living things.
  2. Cells: Cell Theroy, Prokaryotic/Eukaryotic Cells, Structure and Function.
  3. Heredity and Evolution: History of Genetics, Current Implications, Genes, DNA, Meiosis, Genetic Variations, Changes on Earth and Evolution
  4. Plants and Animals: The Kingdoms of Classification, Structures and Functions.
  5. Human Body Systems: Organization, Integumentary, Muscular/Skeletal, Cardiovascular/Respiratory, Digestive, Endocrine/Nervous, Reproduction and Development.

The labs that are included are:

  • Bean Hunter
  • Metric Scavenger Hunt
  • Micro Hair and Newsprint
  • Chicken Wings Dissection
  • Flower Dissection
  • Cow Heart Dissection
  • Frog Dissection
  • Mr. Bones

8th Grade

The 8th grade curriculum focuses on Physical Science and includes the following topics, activities, and laboratories:

  1. Chemistry: Structure of Matter(elements and compounds), Periodic Table, Reactions(simple bonding)
  2. Physical Science: Properties of Matter (Density and Buoyancy), Motion and Force, Aerodynamics
  3. Life Science: Carbon Cycle, Organic Compounds
  4. Earth Science: Solar System and Astronomy, Atmosphere and Weather
  5. Projects: Heritage, Choice, and Portfolio (2nd and 3rd trimesters)

The labs and activities may include...

  • Roller Coaster Lab
  • Paper Airplane Competition
  • Marbles Lab
  • Forces Lab
  • Ship Shape Lab
  • Star Chart
  • Solar System Tour Poster
  • Chemical Reactions Lab
  • Element Squares
  • Matter as Particles Lab
  • Winter Outdoor Wilderness Educational Experience

Click to view the District Standards

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