SCIENCE Science students are introduced to the recurring concepts and connections made within the various science disciplines. Emphasis is placed on the development of critical thinking skills, as well as on the role of creativity in scientific thought. THE SCIENCE CURRICULUM represents an opportunity to reinforce skills important to the Middle School student and uses a sequence of principles and concepts that are specific and unique to the physical, biological, and earth sciences. The spiral curriculum, supported by the Science Plus textbook, unites the study of all areas of science. The themes taught at each level create a framework that unifies life, earth, and physical sciences. Middle School science also provides students with an age-appropriate transition from the Elementary School model to the highly specialized Upper School science offerings and requirements. Students at all grade levels are responsible for showing grade-appropriate mastery in science skills, such as graphing, coherent data collection, and drawing conclusions from data. Students learn lab procedures correctly and safely and develop sound reasoning and thoughtful questioning. Basic study skills such as reading comprehension, summary writing, completing homework thoroughly and on time, and following directions are also emphasized. ONCE STUDENTS HAVE MET THE STANDARD EXPECTATION of each course, they may pursue avenues for guided independent and group work to suit their level of interest and sophistication. Students are introduced to technological resources focused on specific questions about independent projects for their course work. Such project work has been entered in the LA County Science Fair, where our students enjoy and succeed in the competitive and stimulating environment beyond the classroom. SIXTH GRADE: Sixth grade science emphasizes skill development in four general areas: 1) observing and hypothesizing explanations for observed phenomena; 2) measuring, including a basic understanding of the metric system, and the concepts of mass, volume, and density; 3) designing controlled experiments, and 4) writing in scientific format, listing Materials, Procedure, Results, and Discussion. Through hands-on demonstrations and discussions, and through both short and long-term projects, students explore various topics in science: phases of matter, concepts of energy, theory of plate tectonics and land formation that is enhanced by field explorations of the local canyons, botany, heredity, and environmental sciences with an emphasis on global water supplies. Each student plans and carries out independent research analysis. Emphasis in the sixth grade is on initial development of science skills and on the fun of performing experiments specifically directed toward student questions. SEVENTH GRADE: Seventh grade life science continues to explore physical science through studies of chemical properties and changes, heat, and light energy. The unit on earth science introduces ideas of fossil records, as well as understanding of cartography. Patterns of living things and ecosystems are studied in the classroom and in the Malibu State Lagoon. Human biology and health are an integral component of the seventh grade curriculum. EIGHTH GRADE: The goal of the eighth grade curriculum is to introduce concepts of motion, forces, and astronomy and to integrate math and science. The evolution unit outlines the diversity of life, natural selection, and adaptation, which leads to environmental studies on overpopulation. WHILE TOPICS in geology, meteorology, and astronomy are explored, the basic principles of chemistry and physics are demonstrated, including the structure of matter, the atom, physical and chemical change, the Periodic Table, balancing chemical equations, types of energy and energy transformation, force, work and power, simple machines, and alternative energy sources. STUDENTS HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO SELF-DIRECT THEIR STUDIES by becoming experts in an area of their choice and communicating their expertise to their peers. Current issues such as alternative energy sources and natural resource protection are studied in depth, and students demonstrate and apply the knowledge gained from the various disciplines to develop a variety of prospective solutions. Critical thinking is emphasized throughout the course.