Science
Science education at Kailua Intermediate School focuses on the following areas:
1. Performing Scientific Inquiry
2. Living the Values, Attitudes, and Commitments of the Inquiring Mind
3. Using Unifying Cross Cutting Concepts and Themes
4. Relating the Nature of Technology to Science
Activities in the classroom should help a student to develop the following skills:
1. Asking questions and defining problems
2. Developing and using models
3. Planning and carrying out investigations
4. Analyzing and interpreting data.
5. Using mathematical and computational thinking
6. Constructing explanations and designing solutions
7. Engaging in argument from evidence
8. Obtaining, evaluating and communicating information
ASSIGNMENT Expectations for all Science Classes
1. The student is expected to write up and perform assigned laboratory work independently or with others as a team.
2. The student is expected to participate in class and small group discussions.
3. The student is expected to work on reports and projects.
4. The student is expected to produce an independent science project.
EVALUATION Criteria for all Science Classes
1. Participation in lab and other class work.
2. Projects.
3. Oral and written work, (lab notebook and assignments).
4. Tests and quizzes.
7th grade Science Courses
OBJECTIVES for both 7th grade Science Classes
1. Physical Science investigation of matter and its interactions
2. Life Science investigation of structures and processes of living thing from the molecular to organism level of organization and ecosystem interactions, energy and dynamics
3. Earth Science investigation of Earth’s systems of cycling of matter and changes in the Earth’s surface over time.
4. Examine the scientific view of the nature of matter and how that view evolved.
5. To discuss issues of environmental stewardship.
(YEAR LONG) SIM0733
Seventh grade Integrated Science is an introductory course to Physical, Life and Earth Science using the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). NGSS includes three distinct and equally important dimensions to learning science with each dimension working with the other two to help students build a cohesive understanding of science over time. Emphasis will be placed on a hands-on learning approach including open-ended inquiry, and active learning. Students engage in scientific investigations and engineering design processes to study the Life Science concepts of life processes; relations between structure and function; classification of organisms; interdependence of living things; the biotic environment; and the cell as the basic unit of living things. The Physical Science concepts of atomic and molecules, chemical and physical reactions and thermal processes are explored. In the Earth Sciences, students investigate the dynamic changes in the Earth’s surface. Through these investigations, students develop skills in the Science and Engineering processes of questioning and inquiry, investigation, analyzing and interpreting data, modeling explanations and using scientific evidence in argumentation.
(YEAR LONG) SIM0733HNR
This course is an accelerated course open to 7th grade students accepted into the Honors program. The course integrates all three science disciplines, as well as the Science and Engineering practices with the other Honors courses (language arts, mathematics, and social studies). Methodology is stressed. Students are encouraged to be self-motivated and self-directed. This is a laboratory based course, including an individual STEM project in Semester 1.
PREREQUISITE:
Student selection and placement approval into the Honors program.
8th grade Science Courses
OBJECTIVES for both 8th grade Science Classes
1. Examine the fundamentals of Earth and Space Science Concepts including the history of Earth, changes in Earth over time, celestial cycles that influence Earth’s processes and Earth’s place in the Universe.
2. Investigate the Physical Science concepts of Force and Motion, Energy and Forces, Waves, and noncontact forces including gravity, magnetism and electromagnetism.
3. Exploration of the Life Science concepts of heredity and evolution, as well as human impacts on Earth.
(YEAR LONG) SIM0833
Eighth grade Integrated Science is an introductory course to Physical, Life and Earth Science using the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). NGSS includes three distinct and equally important dimensions to learning science with each dimension working with the other two to help students build a cohesive understanding of science over time. Emphasis will be placed on a hands-on learning approach including open-ended inquiry, and active learning. Students engage in scientific investigations and engineering design processes to study Earth and Space Science concepts including the history of Earth and the changes over time, the Universe and Earth’s place in it, and the celestial cycles that influence Earth. They investigate the Physical Science concepts of Force and Motion, non-contact forces including electricity, gravity and magnetism, energy and waves. In the Life Science realm, they explore heredity, evolutionary processes and human impacts on the Earth system. Through these investigations, students develop skills in the Science and Engineering processes of questioning and inquiry, investigation, analyzing and interpreting data, modeling explanations and using scientific evidence in argumentation.
(YEAR LONG) SIM0833HNR
This course is an accelerated course open to 8th grade students accepted into the Honors program. The course integrates all three science disciplines, as well as the Science and Engineering practices with the other Honors courses (language arts, mathematics, and social studies). Methodology and written expression of learning is stressed. Students are encouraged to be self-motivated and self-directed. This is a laboratory based course, including an individual STEM project in Semester 1.
PREREQUISITE: Student selection and placement approval into the Honors program.
