Pathfinders Academy

6-7-8 Integrated Science (3:45-5:15)

Days: Tuesdays

Time: 3:45-5:15

Location: Pathfinders Learning Lab (217 North 10th Street, Santa Paula, CA)

Program Description: 

Pathfinders Science Adventurers: Foundations of Science (Year 1 - Fall)

Description: Embark on your scientific journey with the Foundations of Science, the perfect starting point for students in grades 6-8. This fall semester course provides a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental concepts and practices that underpin all scientific disciplines. Through a blend of hands-on experiments, interactive lessons, and critical thinking exercises, students will explore the basics of scientific inquiry, life science, earth science, and physical science.

Course Outline:

Weeks 1-3: Introduction to Science and the Scientific Method

• Overview of Scientific Inquiry (General Science)
  • Understand the importance and purpose of scientific inquiry.
  • Learn how scientists ask questions and seek answers through research.
• Understanding the Scientific Method (General Science)
  • Explore the steps of the scientific method: observation, hypothesis, experimentation, analysis, and conclusion.
  • Discuss real-world applications of the scientific method.
• Designing and Conducting Simple Experiments (General Science)
  • Practice formulating hypotheses and designing experiments to test them.
  • Conduct simple experiments and analyze results.

Weeks 4-6: Life Science - Cells and Microorganisms

• Cell Structure and Function (Life Science)
  • Study the basic units of life: cells.
  • Learn about the different types of cells and their functions.
• Microscopic Organisms and Their Significance (Life Science)
  • Discover the world of microorganisms and their roles in various ecosystems.
  • Understand the importance of microorganisms in health and disease.
• Observing Microorganisms Under a Microscope (Life Science)
  • Gain hands-on experience using microscopes to observe cells and microorganisms.
  • Record observations and draw conclusions from microscopic studies.

Weeks 7-9: Earth Science - Earth's Structure and Plate Tectonics

• Earth's Layers and Composition (Earth Science)
  • Explore the layers of the Earth: crust, mantle, and core.
  • Learn about the materials and properties of each layer.
• Plate Tectonics and Their Impact (Earth Science)
  • Understand the theory of plate tectonics and how it explains the movement of Earth's plates.
  • Study the effects of plate movements on the Earth's surface.
• Earthquakes and Volcanoes (Earth Science)
  • Investigate how earthquakes and volcanoes are related to plate tectonics.
  • Learn about the causes and effects of these natural phenomena.

Weeks 10-12: Physical Science - Matter and Energy

• Properties and States of Matter (Physical Science)
  • Examine the different states of matter: solid, liquid, gas, and plasma.
  • Learn about the properties that characterize each state.
• Forms of Energy and Transformations (Physical Science)
  • Explore various forms of energy, including kinetic, potential, thermal, and chemical.
  • Study how energy can be transformed from one form to another.
• Experiments on Matter and Energy (Physical Science)
  • Conduct experiments to observe changes in states of matter and energy transformations.
  • Analyze experimental data to understand the principles of matter and energy.

Weeks 13-15: Culmination and Review

• Review Key Concepts from the Semester (General Science)
  • Recap and reinforce the fundamental concepts covered throughout the semester.
  • Engage in activities that consolidate learning.
• Culminating Projects and Presentations (General Science)
  • Work on projects that integrate the knowledge and skills gained over the semester.
  • Present findings and projects to peers and instructors.
• Reflection on the Scientific Method and Inquiry Process (General Science)
  • Reflect on personal growth and understanding of the scientific method.
  • Discuss how scientific inquiry has been applied throughout the semester.

Learning Outcomes: By the end of this course, students will have a solid understanding of basic scientific principles and methodologies, including the ability to conduct experiments, observe and analyze data, and draw informed conclusions. This foundation will prepare them for more advanced scientific studies in subsequent semesters.

For more information on the series please see: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1P4GNu1SnNsi47tw-btlZLs-yf0Ns-l6b3C6hD64724w/edit?usp=sharing