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Status

Open

Estimated Completion Time

2 segments / 36 weeks

Overview

Comprehensive Science 3 is the last class of the M/J Comprehensive Series. The course introduces new information and reviews some basics of science to prepare students for high school science coursework. Topics covered in this course include: The Nature of Science, Earth and Space Science, Properties of Matter, Changes in Matter, Matter and Energy, and Energy flow in the living world. During this course students will learn through real world examples and applications. Students will participate in activities and online laboratory experiences to apply what they have learned.

Major Topics and Concepts

Segment 1:

  • Foundations of Science
  • Scientific Theories
  • Scientific Laws
  • Scientific Method
  • Metric system
  • Metric Conversions
  • Scientific Measurement
  • Science and Society
  • The Law of Universal Gravitation
  • Formation of Objects in Space
  • Galaxies
  • Space Exploration
  • Distances in Space
  • Stars
  • HR Diagrams
  • Interpreting Graphs in Science
  • The Sun/Solar Properties
  • Electromagnetic Spectrum
  • Solar System Models
  • Seasons
  • Phases of the Moon
  • Eclipse
  • Tides
  • Space and Technology
  • Space Exploration and its effects on Florida

 

Segment 2:

  • Atomic Theory
  • Atomic Models
  • Periodic Table
  • Acids, Bases, and Salts
  • Compounds
  • Mixtures, Solutions, and Pure Substances
  • Physical Properties
  • Mass
  • Weight
  • Density
  • Physical Changes
  • Chemical Changes
  • States of Matter
  • Temperature and Chemical Change
  • Law of Conservation of Energy
  • Energy in Ecosystems
  • Pyramid of Energy
  • Photosynthesis
  • Primary Production
  • Cellular Respiration
  • Carbon Cycle

Career

Physical Properties of Matter - Gemologist

Status

Open

Estimated Completion Time

3-4 Weeks

Competency

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the physical properties of matter by using the scientific method to examine, measure and identify the extensive and intensive physical properties of matter.

Project

You are a gemologist. You work with precious stones, examining their physical properties such as extensive and intensive. You measure and observe the size, shape, volume, color of them. You are training a new gemologist on how to work with precious stones. You need to develop a procedure using the scientific method, that the new gemologist can use to examine the ruby and garnet.

Career

Kitchen Manager

Status

Open

Estimated Completion Time

3-4 Weeks

Competency

Students will demonstrate an understanding of how matter changes by identifying physical and chemical changes in matter, explaining how mass is conserved during physical and chemical changes, and investigating the correlation between thermal energy and the rate of a reaction.

Project

You are a kitchen manager of a restaurant. To help your chefs ensure that all ingredients are fresh, you will create a guidebook that they will use each day. To heighten the awareness of your staff, the guidebook will list the physical and chemical properties of ingredients, along with physical and chemical changes that can occur. It will show examples of how the law of conservation of matter and thermal energy would apply to ingredients when using them in cooking. It will describe ingredients that can be used during the cooking process, to slow down, or to ramp up, the rate of reactions that take place when preparing food.

Career

Product Development Scientist

Status

Open

Estimated Completion Time

3-4 Weeks

Competency

Students will demonstrate an understanding of elements and compounds identifying the physical and chemical properties of elements, compounds and solutions by using the periodic table.

Project

You are a product development scientist for an energy drink company. The company would like to improve their products. In order to make decisions, the leaders of the company need to know the chemical content of the best energy drinks. You need to create a presentation to the team comparing the chemical contents of two energy drinks so they can make some changes for improvement.

Career

Songwriter

Status

Open

Estimated Completion Time

3-4 Weeks

Competency

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the cycles in nature by how matter and energy are transferred between stages of photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and the carbon cycle.

Project

You are a songwriter for the band called “The Cycles of Nature.” You are working on lyrics for an album that has a scientific theme about the law of conservation of matter and energy. You are tasked with writing the lyrics of 3 songs: one about photosynthesis, one on cellular respiration and one on the carbon cycle. You will be creating a booklet of lyrics to show your music fans each of the songs.

Career

Tour Guide

Status

Open

Estimated Completion Time

3-4 Weeks

Competency

Students will demonstrate an understanding of how astronomers observe our universe by identifying technologies used for exploring space, explaining the impact of space technology on our everyday lives, and using the electromagnetic spectrum to examine astronomical objects.

Project

You are a senior tour guide at a space museum. The museum just hired a few new guides that need to be trained about the use of electromagnetic spectrum and space exploration so they can explain the exhibits to the visitors. The museum tasked you to write the training material as well as teach them how a (virtual) electromagnetic spectrometer works.

Career

Blogger

Status

Open

Estimated Completion Time

3-4 Weeks

Competency

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the solar system by investigating the correlation between gravity in the formation and structure of our solar system and creating a model to explain how interrelationships amongst the Earth, Sun, and Moon create phenomena such as moon phases, seasons, and eclipses.

Project

You are a science blogger whose newest assignment is to write a new blog post with diagrams for high school students focusing on the Solar System. The blog will help high school students understand the structure of our solar system and how it was formed. You will describe how the sun impacts the Earth and our seasons as well as explain the eclipses we experience on Earth.

Credits 1

Competencies

  • Matter
    Students will demonstrate an understanding of matter by describing physical properties of matter, explaining measurements of physical properties, and describing scientific knowledge.
  • Changes in Matter
    Students will demonstrate an understanding of changes in matter by describing physical changes, describing chemical changes, explaining the law of conservation of matter, and relating thermal energy to changes in matter.
  • Elements and Compounds
    Students will demonstrate an understanding of elements and compounds by explaining the periodic table, and describing properties of elements, compounds and solutions.
  • Cycles in Nature
    Students will demonstrate an understanding of the cycles in nature by describing matter and energy transfer in photosynthesis, describing matter and energy transfer in cellular respiration, and describing matter and energy transfer in the carbon cycle.
  • Observing the Universe
    Students will demonstrate an understanding of observing the universe by describing space exploration technologies, explaining the impact of space exploration on everyday life, and summarizing the use of the electromagnetic spectrum to examine astronomical objects.
  • The Solar System
    Students will demonstrate an understanding of the solar system by summarizing the formation of the solar system, describing moon phases, explaining eclipses, and explaining the seasons.

Pre-Requisites

Recommended for 8th grade.

Honors

Course: To take the Advanced version, please select the course from the"Advance/Honors/AP" drop down during registration.

Project/Experience: Honors is awarded by earning "Exceeds" on all rubric assessments.

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