Science

Alexandra Brown

Alexandra Brown

Director of Upper School STEM

The Middle School Science courses encourage students to become scientific thinkers, providing them with the foundational skills and knowledge required for scientific inquiry and fostering a love for science. Science 6 allows students to focus on identity by examining human body systems and cellular structure. Life Science 7 focuses on life processes and interactions. Physical Science 8 introduces students to topics in both physics and chemistry that will directly prepare them for high school level courses.

Core Skills
  • Critical Thinking
  • Scientific Inquiry
  • Collecting, Analyzing, & Communicating Data
  • Developing & Using Models
  • Collaboration
  • Organization
  • Problem Solving
  • Presentation Skills
  • Reading Scientific Texts
Themes of the Curriculum

6th Grade: Science 6
In 6th Grade at CESJDS, students reflect upon their own and others’ experiences that contribute to their current identities. Science 6 supports this theme by allowing students to explore how everything from their cells to their organ structures contributes to their own unique identity. The year begins by using the characteristics of life to define living things. Students will learn about human body systems and cells and compare those with other living organisms. 
 
7th Grade: Life Science 7
In 7th Grade at CESJDS, students turn their attention to how an individual can hold multiple communal memberships and the push and pull factors that foster and undermine communities. Life Science 7 students discover how biological communities form and function. The year begins with an exploration of genetics and evolution, which are the natural foundations for the current biological communities. In the ecology and environmental science units, students get to see how interconnected our world is. They end the year with a deeper understanding of their role and connection to the natural world.
 
8th Grade: Physical Science 8
In 8th Grade at CESJDS, students engage in a year of examining attributes and qualities of leadership while exploring what it means for an individual or community to take action in the face of injustice. Physical Science 8 teaches students the basic principles of physics and chemistry. In addition to directly preparing them for High School level courses, these fundamental concepts allow students to better understand how the world around them functions. With a strengthened understanding of the natural world, students are empowered to make plans for action that are logical and achievable. The year culminates with the Weinberg Family Science Fair, during which students conduct a scientific investigation, analyze their results, and communicate their conclusions.