7th Grade Science

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• Category: 7th Grade Science
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• Written by Mrs. Romasoc
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Seventh grade science focuses on biology or as their book title says, " Life Science".  We start the school year reviewing the scientific process, and then embark to the further review of the cell, its detailed parts,the functions of all its organelles and how they work in the systems of all living organisms.  The program follows through the processes of mitosis and meiosis, to further help the students understand how cells grow and develop.  In studying these processes we, branch out to the nucleus and how the chromosomes with its DNA strands replicate themselves within the cells of all living things.  We compare DNA and RNA replications and use models to see how the different nitrogen bases work together in cell growth and repair.  Another section of the science curriculum in this level touches on evolution and Charles Darwin's theory on natural selection.  The students learn how Darwin came to develop his theory by studying the different living things in the Galapagos Islands.  We explain also the concept of evolution from the perspective of the geologic time scale that show how scientists conceived the development of all living things on earth as well as the geologic structures that came about through various earth processes.  To further understand life systems, we study the different kingdoms of living things.  This study includes the structures of the different living organisms, their characteristics and their functions and relationships with other living species.

To enable this study of life science concepts, the students create models of cells of both plant and animals; use the microscope to view samples of different forms of cells, look through the microslide viewers to further examine other specimens,  make diagrams to model the processes of mitosis, meiosis, and DNA replication; perform experiments to study how plants react to different elements in the environment and other activities that will help the students use the science process skills.  The different science skills that are incorporated in the their science activities are as follows: stating a problem, developing a hypothesis or prediction, gathering the necessary materials to be used in experimentation, designing an experiment, using senses for observation, writing and communicating observations through narratives, charts and tables, making graphs of data results, interpreting results, making inferences and drawing conclusions.  These same science process skills are used by all students in a four-month long science project that they choose to investigate and present during the annual science fair.

Another aspect of the science program is the Outdoor Science Education Camp that allows students to participate and experience science outside the classroom .  The seventh graders go to Astrocamp in Idyllwild, California, to study space science, all other courses related to astronomy, and physical science.  These classes, help students learn science concepts through first-hand experiences.  They build and launch rocket bottles, create cosmic landers to simulate the sateliites that NASA sends to Mars, learn how astronauts communicate through the microgravity class, experience actual effects of electricity and magnetism in our bodies, work with lights and lasers, use geiger instruments to locate micrometoerites, and many more exciting learning experiences that supplement what we are doing in our classrooms.

This is what science is all about in the seventh grade class!