Prodigy Team Science: Life Science Year at a Glance

                    Click on any unit below to access specific handouts and projects for class

Welcome to Life Science!  It is my hope that all students will learn a variety of new science skills and content this year, as well as gain an appreciation and enthusiasm for the wonderful world of science!  I believe very strongly in an inquiry oriented, minds - on approach to teaching science. 

Topics to be studied this year are described below.

Unit # 1 (4 weeks):       Solar Power at CBMS

      Students will begin the year taking a close look at solar power and how solar photovoltaic cells work.  Our newly installed solar panels on the roof provide the perfect learning tool for observing and tracking solar energy generation at our school.   We will also have guest presenters from Vermont Energy Education Program working with our students on several occasions.  The culmination of this unit will be a "Solar Zest at CBMS" Festival in late September. 

Unit # 2 (4 weeks):    Light and Inquiry Outdoors:  8th Grade

            8^th graders will explore the dynamics of light including how it travels and interacts with matter. Students will also review concepts learned last year in the Nature of Science unit while conducting inquiry experiments related to light and fall foliage.
Vermont Standards 7.1, 7.2, 7.3                    Vermont Grade Expectations S7-8:28, 3, 4

Unit # 2 (4 weeks):       The Nature of Science and Scientific Inquiry (7th grade only)

            Throughout this unit students will engage in a number of activities that will help them understand a variety of scientific processes.  They will take a realistic look at the field of science, examining both its benefits and limitations.   Students will learn and practice the methods that scientists use when designing and conducting investigations. Skills learned in this unit will be implemented throughout the year as students participate in numerous inquiry based activities.

Vermont Standards 7.1, 7.2, 7.3                   Vermont Grade Expectations S7-8:1-8

Unit # 3 (6 weeks):       Cells & Microbiology* & Classification

            Diving into the living world, students will compare and sort (classify) organisms as scientists do. Students will also be taking an in depth look into the microscopic world.  Primary focus will be on cells, cellular functions, bacteria, protists and viruses.  Students will become very familiar with the structure and function of compound microscopes, as there will be numerous lab experiments involving their use.   Final projects for this unit involve designing and making edible cell models, creating cell skits, and researching diseases caused by microbes. 

Vermont Standards 7.13aa,bb             Vermont Grade Expectations: S7-8: 30,31,33,34,38

Unit # 4 (3 weeks):       Interdisciplinary Unit: Sustainability

            All classes on the team will focus on this topic for the first three weeks in February.  In science we will look at the impact of an increasing human population on our planet.  Specific topics include global warming, biodiversity, pollution, and resource consumption.  Students will also examine their personal impact on the earth by calculating their “Eco-footprint” using a computer simulation.  All students will present a final project for parents and the public at our “Population Expo” in the end of February.

Vermont Standards 3.9aa, bb, cc; 4.6aa       

Unit # 5 (7 weeks):      Genetics, & Evolution

            Students will use concepts learned in cell biology as a foundation for this unit.  In this unit students will study the mechanisms of heredity at the cellular level as well as explore specific  inheritance patterns of their own traits. Several activities will also clearly show the role of genetics in evolution by natural selection.  Students will take a close look at inherited genetic disorders and a number of ethical genetic issues facing our society today. 

Vermont Standard 7.14aa,cc;  7.13cc; 3.7cc,d,e,f,      Vermont Grade Expectations S7-8:31,39,40

Unit #6 (3 weeks):        Ecosystems & Cycles in Nature 

             In this unit students will explore the concept of an ecosystem by examining the interconnectedness of all life and energy through food webs, food chains, and energy pyramids.  Students will build their own mini ecosystems, called eco-columns, using 2 liter bottles. The health of our ecosystems, and hence our society, relies on many cycles in nature.   We will also explore topics such as the water, carbon and nitrogen cycle and their importance to living systems. Students will also explore current topics including weather patterns, differential heating of the earth and global warming.       

Vermont Standards 7.1aa, 7.12ee, 7.13bb        Vermont Grade Expectations S7-8:28,33,34,48

Unit # 7 (6 weeks):        Forest Ecology

            Students will learn how to identify numerous tree species and take a close look at forest ecosystems around Crossett Brook.  A final inquiry project will have students analyzing collected data and forming conclusions about why trees grow where they do & how species of trees interact with each other and their environment near the Crossett Brook. Vermont Standards 7.1, 7.13, 4.6aa     Vermont Grade Expectations S7-8:1-8; 36, 37

(* There will be subject specific books to accompany these units.)