Life Science Interdependent – Relationships in Ecosystems: Students explore how relationships are interdependent in ecosystems, the dynamics, functioning, and resilience of an ecosystem, how changes in biodiversity can influence human’s resources, how humans impact the biodiversity of an ecosystem, and ways we can develop solutions to preserve the ecosystem services humans rely on.
Physical Science – Chemical Reactions: Students apply their understanding of physical and chemical properties of matter to explore chemical reactions, how substances react chemically in characteristic ways and how mass is conserved.
Life Science – Growth, Development & Reproduction of Organisms: Students explore how organisms reproduce and transfer their genetic information to their offspring. They learn how traits are inherited, variation of traits, how mutations may result in changes to living things that can be harmful or beneficial, and how humans have the capacity to influence certain characteristics of organisms by selective breeding (natural vs. artificial selection).
Life Science – Natural Selection & Adaptations: Students explore evidence of common ancestry and diversity of living things, such as the fossil record, anatomical similarities and differences between various organisms living today compared to those in the fossil record, and comparisons of embryological development of different species. They learn about adaptations and natural selection, and how traits that support successful survival and reproduction in an environment become more common.
Students explore the history of Planet Earth, Earth’s materials and systems, plate tectonics and large-scale interactions, and the roles of water in Earth’s surface processes.
