| Tutor |
MaryEllen Bakken |
| Target Students |
6th, 7th graders |
| Instruction Time |
one 90-minute tutorial per week (Mon-Danvers, Wed-Arlington) |
Course Description
The objective of this course is to expose students to the fun of scientific exploration. A variety of disciplines will be introduced for the students to appreciate, investigate, and be good stewards of our fascinating world. Hands-on activities, scientific observations and problem solving will be the methods used to introduce scientific principles, methods and techniques. The ultimate goals are to instill in students a life-long curiosity about their surroundings, and to acquaint them with the proper tools to find the answers they seek.
Explorations in Science will accommodate 6th and 7th grade students in a two year revolving curriculum. Please note: 7th grade students who have not taken the first year will not be at a disadvantage. At the same time, 6th graders advancing to 7th grade will not be repeating the exact same material.
Parents will maintain the role of primary teacher, overseeing homework and encouraging individual exploration with aids provided by the tutor. Our goal during our class time will be to engage in different experiments, activities, teachings and discussions that will enhance the topics presented. The expected sequence of topics is presented below.
Year One Exploration (to start in 2011-2012)
Plant life – single cells to complex plants, metabolism, habitats, biological diversity
Chemistry - matter, phase changes, acids and bases, chemical reactions
Engineering - electricity, magnetism, energy, engineering design
Earth Science - minerals, soil formation, deposition and erosion, tectonics
Year Two Exploration (to start in 2010-2011)
Earth Science - weather, climate, oceans, ecology
Physics – sound, flight, buoyancy, force and motion
Human body - systems, cells, health and nutrition
Animal life - one-celled animals to mammals, life strategies, animal behavior
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