Science

SCIENCE

Children are engaged in hands-on experiences in earth, physical and life sciences.  Children are encouraged to observe the world around them, to be aware of the wonders of nature and to care for their environment.  With input from all classroom teachers, the K-5 Science committee developed process-oriented instructional units and assessment tasks for each grade level.

Browse and view our District’s Curriculum Maps.

SCIENCE

At the heart of our science instruction is the notion of inquiry based learning. In this approach, children build their knowledge of science, by asking questions and having direct experiences with the natural and human-made worlds. Our science program engages students in meaningful activities from which they can develop ideas about the nature of the world. At each grade level, study focuses on the areas of earth, physical and life sciences. Students are asked to perform and design experiments to answer the questions they have raised themselves, just as scientists do. The curriculum is designed to provide a long and continuing series of experiences that will help students to understand important abstractions in later years.  Science 21 is a curriculum resource used in all grades.

Browse and view our District’s Curriculum Maps.

SCIENCE

The middle school science curriculum at Somers integrates the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) with the principles of the Middle Years Programe (MYP), fostering scientific inquiry, conceptual understanding, and interdisciplinary connections. The curriculum is designed to spiral, revisiting and deepening key scientific concepts across grade levels, thereby ensuring students develop a cohesive understanding of scientific principles and their applications.

The curriculum is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards, which are organized around three dimensions:

1. Science and Engineering Practices: Students engage in practices such as asking questions, planning and carrying out investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, constructing explanations, and designing solutions.
2. Crosscutting Concepts: Key concepts like patterns, cause and effect, systems and system models, energy and matter, structure and function, and stability and change are integrated throughout the curriculum to help students make connections across scientific disciplines.
3. Disciplinary Core Ideas: Fundamental ideas in life sciences, physical sciences, earth and space sciences, and engineering are explored in depth and complexity appropriate for middle school learners.

The middle school science curriculum is organized into thematic units aligned with NGSS performance expectations. Each unit integrates hands-on investigations, scientific inquiry, and opportunities for students to apply their learning to real-world scenarios. The curriculum emphasizes the following key themes:

• Systems and System Models: Understanding systems and how their components work together.
• Energy and Matter: Investigating energy transfer and interactions of matter.
• Structure and Function: Exploring the structure and function of living organisms and non-living systems.
• Patterns and Cause-Effect Relationships: Identifying patterns in data and understanding cause-effect relationships in natural phenomena.
• Stability and Change: Examining how systems maintain stability and respond to change over time.
• Engineering Design: Applying scientific knowledge to design solutions to real-world problems.

The curriculum spirals by revisiting core ideas and crosscutting concepts across each grade level, with increasing depth and complexity. For example, foundational concepts introduced in earlier grades are revisited in subsequent years through more advanced investigations and applications. This approach ensures that students build upon their prior knowledge and develop a thorough understanding of scientific principles over time.

Assessment in middle school science includes a mix of formative and summative assessments aligned with NGSS performance expectations and MYP criteria. Assessments may include investigations, projects, presentations, and written reflections that evaluate students' understanding of scientific concepts, their ability to apply scientific practices, and their proficiency in communicating scientific findings.

The curriculum is aligned with the MYP principles, emphasizing holistic education, intercultural awareness, communication skills, and global engagement. Students are encouraged to consider the ethical implications of scientific discoveries and to explore the role of science in addressing global challenges.

The middle school science curriculum at Somers offers a dynamic and rigorous learning experience that prepares students to become scientifically literate and critical thinkers. By integrating NGSS with MYP principles and employing a spiraled approach, the curriculum equips students with the knowledge, skills, and mindset necessary for future academic success and active engagement in a rapidly changing world. Through hands-on inquiry and interdisciplinary connections, students develop a deep appreciation for the role of science in understanding the natural world and shaping the future.

SCIENCE

All students are required to complete three units of science. However, we encourage students to take science each year. The science program at Somers High School allows students to gain a strong background in science by offering Regents level courses in Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Advanced Placement courses are also offered in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Environmental Science for motivated and capable students. Students may also engage in authentic research through our Science Research class. Courses in the Environmental Science, Contemporary Issues in Science and Principles of Engineering present the opportunity for students to apply scientific principles in real world situations.

Laboratory investigation is an integral component of instruction in our science classes. All Regents and A.P. science courses require students to complete 30 hours of laboratory instruction satisfactorily. Student lab reports verifying fulfillment of the requirement must be in the teacher's possession in order for the student to be allowed entry to the Regents exam. Students who have not completed the lab requirement will not be eligible to take the course in summer school.

Research is another aspect of science instruction. Research activities and projects are required in some science classes. These projects make extensive use of our library and its computer research facility. Students will make use of online information resources, periodical databases as well as the vast resources of the Internet.

The science faculty is committed to integrating the use of computers and graphing calculators into the science curriculum. The computer will be used by students for data collection and analysis. Simulated labs may be used to demonstrate labs students would otherwise be unable to perform. Internet resources are being used in the classroom to enrich the curriculum and bring real-time radar and satellite images into the classroom. Teachers also make use of smartboard, laser disc and video technology to enhance the curriculum.

Note: All students must pass at least one Regents exam in science to graduate from high school and must complete a course in a physical science, such as Earth Science, Chemistry or Physics and a course in Biology. Stated simply: 3 courses in science, 2 Regents sciences (one must be biology) and pass 1 Regents exam.

Browse and view our District’s Curriculum Maps