Science Sequence?

[JudoMom]

What is the typical science sequence for grades 9-12? They will most likely go to college. What should we plan on doing in grades 6-8 to prepare?

I know where we're heading in Math, Language Arts, & History, but I'm not sure where we're supposed to be heading for science.

Thanks!

[Pamela H in Texas]

There is a question about whether physical science is 8th or 9th grade. Almost every kid in my state does physical science (or IPC) in 9th. However, we skipped it.

From there, there are a couple different lines of thought.

Most common (if IPC/Physical is in 8th) is Biology, Chemistry, Physics (if you do it), an either advanced of one of the others or something of interest like Astronomy, Marine Biology, etc. You could easily do Physical Science, then this order though you'd have to have two sciences at least one year if you wanted to do advanced and elective sciences, even if you skipped one of the other (usually physics is the one skipped).

But some people like Physics first. It would not likely be a Calc based physics though. Then the student would do Biology and Chemistry. The last year would be either advanced of one of the others or something of interest.

Then there are Chemistry first people. The student needs to have high enough math to do it, but depending on the rigor of your Biology class, there are some good reasons to consider it.

Also, it is big in some areas to do more than 4 sciences. For the top diploma in Round Rock ISD, a student must have SIX sciences.

Hope this helps a little :)

[Corraleno]

Here the standard middle school sequence is: 6th Earth Science / 7th Life Science / 8th Physical Science. I think that's fairly standard, judging from the number of textbooks available for those topics for those grades.

The "standard" HS sequence is usually Biology/Chemistry/Physics, then an AP or elective science -- but there's no reason it has to go in that order. There is a movement called "Physics First" which proposes that the "standard" order should be reversed. I understand their point, in that there is a logical progression from atoms to organisms, but I think the current sequence makes more sense in terms of presenting increasingly abstract concepts and increasingly complex math.

Jackie

[Janice in NJ]

Yes, the standard sequence is Bio/Chem/Physics. I believe that it is logically driven by the high school math sequence: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, then .......

High school bio doesn't need upper level math.
Chemistry needs Algebra I.
A high school level physics course is usually an Algebra-driven course. High school physics needs at least Algebra II.

"Real" physics needs calculus. Among other things it is the study of change/motion. Calculus is the mathematics of change/motion. (Many argue that modern mathematics doesn't even begin until calculus. :001_smile:) So even then, you're running a high school level course under a handicap. There's much more to learn. Physics doesn't really come together until you've had calculus; it's no wonder that Newton and Leibnitz came up with it when they did.

To cover your bases, I would try to hit a life science, a physical science, and an earth science/astronomy course in 6th, 7th, and 8th. Introduce the basic principles of each field; give them a non-math intensive working knowledge.

Your jr. high physical science course will provide a foundation that will allow your high schooler to make connections in his bio/chem/physics classes. (Physics first mentality.) And the sequence will give your student the opportunity to USE some of that Algebra II in his high school physics class. Stuff they can use - this is why you can't drive four feet behind a car at 65 mph. It's like trying to fly little lady. Just as you can't defy gravity, you can't stop your car in that short of a distance. Do the math! :001_smile: Besides, chemistry and physics provide some great opportunities to talk about science as an intellectual pursuit in those upper high school years. Times out nicely with the study of the 19th and 20th centuries. 'Why did man pursue the answer to that question then? And which questions did that answer inspire him to ask next."

(Can you tell that I favor the physical sciences? :001_smile:)

Peace,
Janice

Enjoy your little people
Enjoy your journey

[Brindee]

Around here they do Physical Science in 9th grade, then Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

[EKS]

I stepped back from 9-12 when thinking about our sequence. So he did the physics part of Conceptual Physical Science in 7th (0.5 credit), is doing Conceptual Chemistry in 8th (1.0 credit), earth science (college level text) in 9th, biology (AP) in 10th, physics (AP) in 11th, and chemistry (AP), environmental science (AP), or some other college level science in 12th.

Both of my parents are geologists so I think earth science is important. If he ends up applying to a school that requires high school chemistry (like Caltech), he'll need to take chemistry in 12th, otherwise he can choose something else if he'd like.

I think physics first is important. I'm seeing the benefits of this philosophy already this year while doing chemistry.

[Karen in CO]

For high school they need at least two lab sciences, but three is better. My ds's science sequence for high schools was Physical Science (he took that at the ps), Biology, Physics and Psychology. Here is a link to the Colorado standards for middle school science (http://www.asd20.org/education/dept/dept.php?sectionid=1143&) from my local middle school. Their basic sequence is physical science (physics and chemistry) in 6th, life science in 7th then earth science in 8th.

As others have already noted, math level is very important when planning out the science. To do "real" physics they have to had Calculus and to do any physics, they need strong algebra skills.