The Intermediate Science Program involves a study of selected
topics from Earth, Environmental, Life and Physical Sciences. Each
school year we begin with a field trip that incorporates the
learning outcomes from the Environmental Science unit for each
grade level:
- Grade 9 students visit the
Fluvarium where they get a first hand experience conducting
water quality analysis of Nagle's Brook.
- Grade 8 students also visit the
Fluvarium to observe the interdependence between the plants and
animals of our local area.
- Grade 7 students visit the
Fluvarium to experience how a wide variety of fish and
other freshwater organisms carry out the basic processes needed
to stay alive.
Throughout our Science Program,
students are exposed to the major products of science such as
facts, hypothesis, theories, and models. We emphasize the
use of technology by designing science activities that involve the
use of the Internet and various forms of electronic communication
such as email and computer conferencing. Overall, our students are
encouraged to think scientifically as we present them with an
authentic view of the way science works.
All students are required to design,
develop and present a science project. Participation in the school
science fair is optional although all students are
encouraged to participate. There are two types of projects:
- An Experimental Project that
requires a student to design and conduct an experiment, to
answer a scientific question using the scientific method.
- A Model Project that requires a
student to construct a model, which demonstrates a scientific
principle.
Each student is required to keep a
Science Binder, which is used exclusively for science
materials. The goal of using the binder is to encourage good
note-taking and organizational skills, and to emphasize that
science cannot be learned without accumulating a body of
information.
The text used in grade 7, 8 and 9 is
Discovering science. Evaluation consists of term grades that are based
upon student performance on a variety of assigned tasks.
Evaluation for the science program
is as follows:
- Tests 40%
- Quizzes 10%
- Projects 10%
- Scientific literacy test 10%
- Labs 15%
- Class assignments, activities, foldables,
homework 15%
Topics covered in the grade 7
science program are:
- Laboratory Safety and Scientific
Method
- Interactions within Ecosystems
- Heat
- Mixtures and Solutions
- Earth's crust
Topics covered in the grade 8
science program are:
- Laboratory Safety and Scientific
Method
- Water systems
- Fluids
- Optics
- Cells, tissues and organs
Topics covered in the grade 9
science program are:
- Laboratory Safety and Scientific Method
- Space
- Atoms, Elements and Compounds
- Electricity
- Reproduction
Department Head:
Ms. Karen Tilley
Teachers: Mr.
David Jeffers, Mrs.
Beth Power, Mme Nathalie
Brunet (on leave), Mme Barbara Pynn,
Mr. Matthew Grant,
Mr. Ryan Keats
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