Course Overview

Students learn to perform experiments and record observations, and understand how scientists see the natural world. They germinate seeds to observe plant growth, and make a weathervane. Students will explore topics such as:

• Matter—states of matter; mixtures and solutions
• Weather—cloud formation; the water cycle
• Animal Classification and Adaptation—insects; amphibians and reptiles; birds; mammals
• Habitats—forests, deserts, rain forests, grasslands, and more; naturalist John Muir and conservation
• Oceans—waves and currents; coasts; coral reefs and kelp forests; oceanographer Jacques Cousteau
• Plants—germination, functions of roots, stems, flowers, chlorophyll, and more
• Human Body—major systems; Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman doctor
• Light—how light travels; reflections; inventor Thomas Edison