Science Syllabus

8th Grade GT Science Course Objective:

The Middle School Gifted and Talented program consists of stand-alone, project-based,
semester-long courses. The theme-based courses have simultaneous threads to
develop skills for proposing, creating, and presenting projects as well as to explore
scientific topics related to the course theme. Students will get involved with people in
their community as they complete their projects and set a goal for making a difference
and having a positive impact in their hometown. The second semester of each course
will give students a chance to delve further into the course theme, their specific project,
or both.

8th Grade GT Science Course Overview:

The eighth grade theme is “Engineering a Better World.” Students will see the practical
applications of science through the field of engineering. While exploring the design of an
ergonomic device or learning how sports equipment is made more efficient or delving
into ways buildings and highways are made safer, students may become interested in a
future career path.

Section A Units include: Introduction to Science, Introduction to Genetics,

Reproduction and Development of Organisms, & Interdependent Relationships in
Ecosystems, and engineering & design.

-Unit Project: Genetics. This project may replace some existing portfolios, and it
will count as part of your grade. If you do not complete it, it will be marked as a
zero. Additional information about this project will be found on the message
board and the class website.

Section B Units include: Human Impact on the Environment, Structures and

Properties of Matter, Chemical Reactions, & Forces and Motion, and engineering &
design.

-Unit Project: Chemistry. This project may replace some existing portfolios, and
it will count as part of your grade. If you do not complete it, it will be marked as a
zero. Additional information about this project will be found on the message
board and the class website.

Engineering Project: You will need to complete an engineering project each semester.
Please follow the directions in your lessons so you know what you will need to do.
***Due to these projects, I would like all GT science students present at our
weekly GT science LiveLessons each Friday at 10am.

8th Grade Science Course Specific Policies:

 Science Syllabus
Grading Policies: Rubrics are used to grade your portfolio assignments and
discussion questions. You can find these rubrics in your lesson that contain these
assessments.

Corrections Policy: All portfolio assignments, and free response (essay) test questions
can be revised and resubmitted by webmail. Label subject line with specific portfolio or
test information. Be sure to check portfolio comments and message board resources
before submitting revisions. You may also add additional posts to discussion questions
followed by an email informing me. Additional discussion posts do not return to my
gradebook once it has been graded, so you do need to send me a webmail.