There are six goals for middle school science:

• Students gain informational literacy. This is the ability to recognize an informational need, and then locate, evaluate and effectively use the needed information.
• Students use an inquiry approach to science. Students do science by engaging in partial and full inquiries that are within their developmental capabilities.
• In physical science students develop an understanding of the characteristics and interrelationships of matter and energy in the physical world.
• In life science students develop an understanding of the characteristics, life cycles and interrelationships of organisms in the environment.
• Students develop an appreciation of the natural environment and learn the value of environmental quality.
• In earth science students develop an understanding of the properties of earth’s materials, the structure of earth, the history of the earth, cycles on the earth and earth’s processes.

Students at all grade levels participate in a middle school science fair, which alternates yearly with the social studies fair. Each student chooses a topic and conducts the experiment independently. The background research is researched and written in class. Guidelines and deadlines for preparing the project are presented in class.

Fifth grade science focuses on four different areas of General Science. Each quarter covers a new unit or area. Each unit is structured to include the scientific method and the science processes of observing, predicting, measuring, interpreting data, classifying, and experimenting. The scientific concepts and vocabulary are taught using a variety of presentations and useful study skills.

The general science curriculum for sixth grade includes the study of cells and microbes, protists and fungi, bacteria and viruses, continental drift, plate tectonics, earthquakes and volcanoes, the characteristics, types and changes in matter and forces and motion. Emphasis is placed on discovery learning with hands-on activities.

The life science curriculum for seventh grade includes the study of life processes, cell structure and function, monerans, protists, nonvascular and vascular plants, invertebrate and vertebrate animals, human systems, genetics and ecology. Emphasis is placed on lab activities when applicable.

The eighth grade curriculum includes laboratory skills, states and properties of matter, physical and chemical changes, minerals and rocks, Earth’s processes, hydrology, oceanography, meteorology, astronomy, prehistory, energy sources and earth’s future. Earth science is taught as a lab activity based course. Students perform seven to ten lab activities in a two to three week unit. The teacher provides background information. A textbook is available only for reference.