Science

Science classes at Cesar Chavez Middle School use NGS standards and include the following topics and skills:

7th grade
Students learn about ecosystems, including how organisms interact with each other and nonliving factors, and how resources limit growth and reproduction. They also study the history of Earth, including how geoscience processes have changed the Earth's surface over time. Throughout the year students learn about the impact climate change has on natural resources, ecosystems, and the human population.
8th grade
Students learn about forces and motion, including Newton's 3rd Law and the connection between motion, force, and mass. They also study waves, including how to describe a wave model using mathematical representations. Other topics include electricity, magnetism, gravity, and the solar system. Students will continue to learn about climate change and solutions at the community level.

Some skills that students develop in 7th and 8th grade science include:

Constructing explanations: Students build explanations that are supported by evidence and consistent with scientific theories. Students use claim evidence reasoning as part of scientific inquiry.
Analyzing data: Students learn to analyze data, distinguish between correlation and causation, and use basic statistical techniques.
Design projects: Using engineering skills, students design models and implement solutions that meet specific criteria. This includes solutions to climate change.
Evaluating information: Students learn to evaluate the merit and validity of ideas and methods.

Science Teachers