Science

Mata McAskill
Phone: 631-283-3550 Ext: 201
Email: mmcaskill@tuckahoecommonsd.com

6th Grade Science
The goal of the sixth grade science curriculum is to introduce students to a variety of topics in life science, physical science, environmental science and general science, while emphasizing problem solving and reasoning skills through inquiry-based, hands-on laboratory investigations.  Students use scientific inquiry to develop explanations of natural phenomena.  Topics of study include:  Life Sciences (Ecology, Ecosystems, and the Human Body); Physical Sciences (Energy, Work, Force, Simple Machines, the Atom, and Chemistry); Environmental Sciences (Geology, and Astronomy); and General Science (Scientific Method, Inquiry-Based Problem Solving).


7th Grade Science
The goal of the seventh grade science curriculum is to introduce and reinforce students with a variety of topics in life science, physical science, environmental science and general science, while emphasizing problem solving and reasoning skills through inquiry-based, hands-on laboratory investigations.  Students use scientific inquiry to develop explanations of natural phenomena.  Topics of study include:  Life Sciences (Biology, Genetics, Heredity, and The Human Body); Physical Sciences (Energy, Physics, and Chemistry); Environmental Sciences (Ecology, Geology, Astronomy, and Weather); and General Science (Scientific Method, Inquiry-Based Problem Solving).


8th Grade Core Science
The goal of the 8th grade core science curriculum is to prepare all students for the end of year NY State Assessment. The NYS Grade 8 Intermediate Level Science Assessment, which is administered in Late May – Early June.  The content for this class emphasizes problem solving and reasoning skills through inquiry-based, hands-on lab investigations.  Students use scientific inquiry and also study test taking skills as a science genre to prepare for the exam given at year’s end.  Topics of study include:  Life Sciences (Biology, Genetics, Heredity, and The Human Body); Physical Sciences (Energy, Physics, and Chemistry); Environmental Sciences (Ecology, Geology, Astronomy, and Weather); and General Science (Scientific Method, Inquiry-Based Problem Solving).


8th Grade Living Environment
The goal of the 8th Living Environment curriculum is to prepare all students for the end of year NY State Regents Examination, which is administered in June.  The content for this class emphasizes problem solving and reasoning skills through inquiry-based, hands-on lab investigations.  Students use scientific inquiry and also study test taking skills specific to the Regents exam to prepare for the exam given at year’s end. Upon successful completion of the Regents Living Environment course, as well as a passing score on the Regents examination, students will receive high school credit. Topics of Study include: Scientific Method, Inquiry, Laboratory Skills, Characteristics of Living Things, Homeostasis, Genetics & Heredity, Classification, Body Systems & Reproduction, Evolution, Ecology, and Human Impacts on Ecosystems.