Science
Mission
The mission of the Science program in the South Orange & Maplewood School District is to help all students make a life, a living, and a difference by exploring the natural world, applying scientific knowledge in their careers, and using science to make informed decisions and engage in meaningful public dialogue.
Goals
The goals of the science program of the South Orange and Maplewood School District are aligned with the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards for Science. Therefore, they reflect both science process and science content.
Process
All students will:
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Develop problem-solving, decision-making and inquiry skills, reflected by:
- Formulating usable questions and hypotheses;
- Planning experiments;
- Conducting systematic observations;
- Interpreting and analyzing data;
- Drawing conclusions; and
- Communicating results.
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Develop an understanding of how major discoveries and people of various cultures have contributed to the advancement of science and technology.
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Integrate mathematics as a tool for problem solving in science, and as a means of expressing and/or modeling scientific theories.
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Understand the interrelationships between science and technology and develop a conceptual understanding of the nature and process of technology.
Content
All students will gain an understanding of the:
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Structure, characteristics, and basic needs of organisms and will investigate the diversity of life.
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Structure and behavior of matter.
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Natural laws as they apply to motion, forces, and energy transformations.
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Structure, dynamics, and geophysical systems of the earth.
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Origin, evolution, and structure of the universe.
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Environment as a system of interdependent components affected by human activity and natural phenomena.