SCIENCES

Course Descriptions

Sciences 6

Course Code: SC6

The aim of this course is to build on the scientific skills and knowledge developed in the PYP and to begin to develop the scientific literacy skills needed in science at the Senior School level. The BC Science curriculum includes content from biology, chemistry, physics, and space sciences. It gives students the opportunity to develop the skills, processes, attitudes, and scientific habits of mind that allow them to pursue their own inquiries using scientific methods. Throughout the year, students will explore the four Big Ideas and Science Curricular Competencies through the units: Adaptations to Environments; Matter, Mixtures and Solutions; Force and Motion; and Understanding the Scientific Process. Students will be assessed using a variety of tasks such as lab investigations, tests and presentations.

Sciences 7

Course Code: SC7

The aim of this course is to build on the scientific skills and knowledge developed in previous years and to continue to build the scientific literacy skills needed at the Senior School level. The BC Science curriculum includes content from biology, chemistry, physics, and earth and space sciences. It gives students the opportunity to develop the skills, processes, attitudes, and scientific habits of mind that allow them to pursue their own inquiries using scientific methods. Throughout the year, students will explore four Big Ideas through the units: Evolution and Adaptations; Atoms, Elements and Compounds; Electromagnetism and Electricity Generation; and Geologic History of Earth. Students will be assessed using a variety of tasks such as lab investigations, tests and presentations.

Sciences 8

Course Code: SS8

The aim of this course is to further develop scientific skills and knowledge, and to continue to build on the scientific literacy skills needed in science at the Senior School level. The Science curriculum includes content from biology, chemistry, physics, and earth and space sciences. It gives students the opportunity to develop the skills, processes, attitudes, and scientific habits of mind that allow them to pursue their own inquiries using scientific methods. Throughout the year, students will explore four Big Ideas through the units: The Behavior of Matter, Light and Energy, Cells and Microorganisms, Plate Tectonics. Students will be assessed using a variety of tasks such as lab investigations, tests, written reports, and presentations.

Sciences 9

Course Code: SS9

In this course, students will continue to acquire and apply further laboratory skills: safety, technique, design, and analysis. It gives students the opportunity to develop the skills, processes, attitudes, and scientific habits of mind that allow them to pursue their own inquiries using scientific methods. Throughout the year, students will explore four Big Ideas through the units: Sustainability - the biogeochemical cycles and nutrient movement; Chemistry - atoms and molecules, Physics - Current electricity; Biology - cellular and organismal reproduction. Students are assessed through lab activities and reports, case studies, investigations and presentations.

Sciences 10

Course Code: SS10

Course Credits: 4

Science 10 is designed to introduce students to the four basic science disciplines (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Earth and Space Science) with enough depth to allow students to choose which areas of science they would like to pursue through future course selection. Throughout the year, students will explore four Big Ideas through the units - Energy change is required as atoms rearrange in chemical processes (Chemistry), Energy is conserved, and its transformation can affect living things and the environment (Physics), DNA is the basis for the diversity of living things (Biology), and The formation of the universe can be explained by the big bang theory (Earth and Space Science). Students will be assessed through field and lab activities, case studies, papers, and exams.