The aim of the middle school science program at KTS is to foster students’ curiosity about the scientific world around them and to encourage independent thinking. During class discussions students are invited to ask questions, develop hypothesizes and explore solutions. Students design and conduct experiments, interpret their observations, and formulate conclusions. While working in small groups, students cultivate cooperation and communication skills. In their Science workbooks students compose written and illustrated notes, construct precise diagrams, write scientific reports, and organize study notes.

Course Assessment and Evaluation

Evaluation of students’ learning in Science is based on assignments, lab reports, projects, group work, oral presentations, quizzes and unit tests.

Topics of Study

Grade 6

Biodiversity

Students will assess human impacts on biodiversity, and identify ways of preserving biodiversity; investigate the characteristics of living things, and classify diverse organisms according to specific characteristics; and learn about biodiversity, its contributions to the stability of natural systems, and its benefits to humans.

Flight

Students will assess the societal and environmental impacts of flying devices that make use of properties of air;  investigate ways in which flying devices make use of properties of air; and consider ways in which properties of air can be applied to the principles of flight and flying devices.

Electricity and Electrical Devices

Students will evaluate the impact of the use of electricity on both the way we live and the environment; investigate the characteristics of static and current electricity,  construct simple circuits;  and explore the principles of electrical energy and its transformation into and from other forms of energy.

Space

Students will assess the impact of space exploration on society and the environment; investigate characteristics of the systems of which the earth is a part and the relationship between the earth, the sun, and the moon; and learn about the phenomena that result from the movement of different bodies in space.

Grade 7

Interactions in the Environment

Students will assess the impacts of human activities and technologies on the environment, and evaluate ways of controlling these impacts; investigate interactions within the environment, and identify factors that affect the balance between different components of an ecosystem; and explore interactions between and among biotic and abiotic elements in the environment.

Structures

Students will analyze personal, social, economic, and environmental factors that need to be considered in designing and building structures and devices; design and construct a variety of structures, and consider the relationship between the design and function of these structures and the forces that act on them; and investigate the relationship between structural forms and the forces that act on and within them.

Pure Substances and Mixtures

Students will evaluate the social and environmental impacts of the use and disposal of pure substances and mixtures; explore the properties and applications of pure substances and mixtures; and investigate the properties of pure substances and mixtures, and describe these characteristics using the particle theory.

Heat in the Environment

Students will assess the costs and benefits of technologies that reduce heat loss or heat related impact on the environment;  investigate ways in which heat changes substances, and describe how heat is transferred; demonstrate an understanding of heat as a form of energy that is associated with the movement of particles and is essential to many processes within the earth’s systems.

Grade 8

Cells and Microscopy

Students will develop microscope technique, assess the impact of cell biology on individuals, society, and the environment; investigate functions and processes of plant and animal cells; and study the basic structure and function of plant and animal cells and cell processes.

Systems in Action

Students will assess the personal, social, and/or environmental impacts of a system, and evaluate improvements to a system and/or alternative ways of meeting the same needs;  investigate a working system and the ways in which components of the system contribute to its desired function; and explore different types of systems and the factors that contribute to their safe and efficient operation.

Fluids

Students will analyze how the properties of fluids are used in various technologies, and assess the impact of these technologies on society and the environment;  investigate the properties of fluids; and explore the properties and uses of fluids.

Water Systems

Students will assess the impact of human activities and technologies on the sustainability of water resources; investigate factors that affect local water quality; and examine the characteristics of the earth’s water systems and the influence of water systems on a specific region.