SCIENCE 8 Inquiry, Concept, and Process Based Science

The science curriculum at St. Brendan

has three primary objectives. These

objectives include assisting each

student in developing the ability to (1)

analyze scientific systems found

within a variety of situations, (2)

investigate questions through valid

experimental techniques, and (3) apply

technology & relevant science

concepts to solving a problem.

To accomplish these objectives the

science instruction focuses on teaching

the curriculum through a three pronged

approach; this approach emphasizes

the use of (1) critical thinking, (2)

collaboration skills, and (3) creative

thinking techniques.

To assist us in our study we use a

variety of educational methods

including; scientific investigation,

direct instruction, textbooks,

collaborative projects, reflective

inquiry, and problem based learning.

8th graders meet daily for Science. The

students are divided into two classes

with one class meeting from 9:15 to

10:00 and the other from 10:00 to

10:45. We work individually, in

collaborative teams, and as lab

partners to construct models, set up

science equipment, gather data, and

analyze results. Each student

evaluates personal performance based

on self-assessment questions and class

discussions.

Grade 8 Science Curriculum:

Life Science: We begin our study with

the structure and function of living

organisms. This includes plant and

animal anatomy, cell structure and

processes, and into DNA and genetics.

We will follow this with a study of

anatomy and physiology. Beginning

with a study of organ systems we will

move into an in-depth look at specific

tissues in the human body and finally

the brain and nervous systems. We will

conclude the unit with dissection of

more than one specimen, possibly

including the worm, squid and frog.

Space Science: This spring the 8th

graders act as mission specialists and

astronauts during a simulation at the

Museum of Flight Challenger Learning

Center. “Mission to Mars” is a kickoff

to the in-class simulation curriculum

provided by NASA called “Mars City

Alpha”. Our goal is to plan a research

colony for a crew of 30 to be built on

the surface of Mars and manned by the

crew for a period of two years. The

models are put on display and each

team prepares a Power Point

presentation as their final assessment.

We conclude the space science

sequence of study through an

exploration of some of the more

powerful and least understood aspects

of our galaxy. These include topics

such as black holes and supernova.

Forensics: Forensic Science is a

multidisciplinary subject, drawing

principally from chemistry and

biology, but also physics, geology,

psychology, and social science among

others. This allows us to combine

many of the ideas and topics we have

studied for the past four years. Some

areas we will focus on include:

examining and analyzing tissue

samples, substances, and physical

materials; reading and interpreting

findings from a laboratory to identify

substances and other type of evidence

collected at a crime scene; collecting

and processing evidence used to solve

criminal cases; and reconstructing the

events of a crime to find relationships

among elements of evidence.

Mr. Fairbank

faf@school.saintbrendan.org

I teach science

because it is:

Challenging

Fun

Important

Exciting

Satisfying

Energizing

SCHEDULED

FIELD TRIPS

Grade 5:

Environmental

Education Week

Grade 6:

Challenger

Learning Center:

Dynamics of

Flight

Grade 7:

Challenger

Learning Center

Mission: Return to

the Moon

Grade 8:

Challenger

Learning Center

Mission: Voyage

to Mars