Instructors

Course Description

In this course students will focus on earth science, astronomy, physical and life sciences. Instructional methods will consist of the didactic, application methods, intellectual discussion, inquiry based learning, projects, word studies and labs. Vocabulary will be taught directly and through contextual format. Assessments will include tests and quizzes, writing assignments, projects and labs.

Students will explore key thematic questions such as:

• How do the accounts of creation found in the scriptures help us understand the formation of the universe?• What role does gravity play in sustaining the motion of the solar system? • How can life exist in such a vast array of environments?

Course Objectives

(* See Science Teaching and Learning Objectives Grades 6-8)

Students will demonstrate their understanding of the topics by:

• Explain patterns of changes in the appearance of the moon as it orbits Earth.• Demonstrate how the relative positions of Earth, the moon, and the sun create the appearance of the moon’s phases.• Describe the relationship between the tilt of Earth’s axis and its yearly orbit around the sun.• Explain how the relationship between the tilt of Earth’s axis and its yearly orbit around the sun produces seasons.• Describe and compare the components of the solar system.• Describe the use of technology to observe objects in the solar system and relate this to science’s understanding of the solar system.• Describe the forces that keep objects in orbit in the solar system.• Compare the size and distance of objects within systems in the universe.• Understand the size of the universe is known to God and is vast.• Describe the appearance and apparent motion of groups of stars in the night sky relative to Earth and how various cultures have understood and used them.• Observe and summarize information about microorganisms.• Demonstrate the skills needed to plan and conduct an experiment to determine a microorganism’s requirement in a specific environment.• Identify positive and negative effects of microorganisms and how science has developed positive uses for some microorganisms and overcome the negative effects of others.• Investigate the movement of heat between objects by conduction, convection, and radiation.• Describe how light can be produced, reflected, refracted, and separated into visible light of various colors.• Describe the production of sound in terms of vibration of objects that create vibrations in other materials.