Science

Our Vision

At Stephen A. Halsey JHS 157, the vision of the Science Department is to ignite a passion for scientific discovery by fostering a learning environment where every student becomes a critical thinker, problem solver, and informed global citizen. Guided by the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), we are committed to implementing phenomena-based learning that encourages students to explore real-world events and apply scientific reasoning to make sense of the world around them. Through hands-on investigations, engineering practices, and the integration of crosscutting concepts across disciplines, our classrooms promote deep understanding, creativity, and inquiry. We aim to prepare our students for success throughout middle school and beyond by building a strong foundation in science literacy and fostering environmental awareness. By nurturing a love of science and encouraging active participation, we strive to create a dynamic and inclusive learning community where all students feel empowered to explore, question, and innovate.

Curriculum Overview

🔬 Grades 6–8: General Science

Students in grades 6 through 8 engage in a comprehensive curriculum that emphasizes:

Phenomena-based learning that connects classroom lessons to real-world experiences
Three-dimensional learning through disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, and crosscutting concepts
Use of explicit vocabulary instruction, text-based evidence, and reading comprehension strategies to build fluency in scientific language
Regular use of labs, investigations, and hands-on experiences to promote inquiry, collaboration, and critical thinking

Topics covering core domains, including:

Physical Science (matter, energy, forces, and motion)
Earth and Space Science (geology, weather, climate, astronomy)
Life Science (cells, ecosystems, heredity, body systems)
Engineering Design (problem-solving, prototyping, and evaluating solutions)

ILS Required Investigations

Investigation Title	Focus Area	Aligned Standard(s)
How’s the Weather Up There?	Weather patterns and atmospheric phenomena	MS-ESS2-5, MS-ESS2-6
All Mixed Up	Properties of matter and physical changes	MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-4
Cool It!	Heat transfer and temperature changes	MS-PS3-3, MS-PS3-4
It’s Alive?	Characteristics of living things and basic biology	MS-LS1-1, MS-LS1-2

📊 General Science Grades 6-8 Grading Policy

Assessments: 60% of the final grade
- Tests: 40%
- Quizzes: 20%
Classwork: 30% of the final grade
- Labs, ILS Investigations, & Projects, Exit Slips, Daily Assignments/Notebook
Homework: 10% of the final grade

🔬8th Grade Honors – Life Science: Biology Regents

Our 8th Grade Honors students take Life Science: Biology, a New York State Regents course typically offered in high school. This rigorous program prepares students for advanced science study and includes:

Full-year high school Regents curriculum in Life Science
Topics include: cells and cellular processes, genetics, evolution, human body systems, reproduction, ecology, and scientific inquiry
Emphasis on lab-based learning to reinforce theoretical knowledge

NYS Biology Required Investigations

Investigation Title	Focus Area	Aligned Standard(s)
Balancing Act	Homeostasis and feedback mechanisms in organisms	HS‑LS1‑3
The Mystery of Lactose Intolerance	Inheritance of traits, gene expression, and molecular biology	HS‑LS3‑3, HS‑LS1‑1
For the Birds – Designing Solutions	Ecosystem interactions and engineering solutions to real-world problems	HS‑LS2‑7

Required Lab Hours:
In accordance with New York State Education Department (NYSED) requirements, students must complete a minimum of 1,200 minutes (20 hours) of hands-on laboratory experience, accompanied by documented lab reports, to be eligible to take the Biology Regents Exam in June.

📊 Biology: Life Science Regents Grade 8 Grading Policy

Assessments: 70% of the final grade
- Tests: 40%
- Quizzes: 20%
- State Required Investigations: 10%
Classwork: 20% of the final grade
- Labs & Performance Tasks, Exit Slips, Daily Assignments/Notebook
Homework: 10% of the final grade

THE THREE DIMENSIONS OF SCIENCE LEARNING

Within the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), there are three distinct and equally important dimensions to learning science. These dimensions are combined to form each standard or performance expectation, and each dimension works with the other two to help students build a cohesive understanding of science over time.

Crosscutting Concepts ccc

Crosscutting Concepts help students explore connections across the four domains of science, including Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science, and Engineering Design. When these concepts, such as “cause and effect”, are made explicit for students, they can help students develop a coherent and scientifically based view of the world around them.

Science and Engineering Practices SEPs

Science and Engineering Practices describe what scientists do to investigate the natural world and what engineers do to design and build systems. The practices better explain and extend what is meant by “inquiry” in science and the range of cognitive, social, and physical practices that it requires. Students engage in practices to build, deepen, and apply their knowledge of core ideas and crosscutting concepts.

Disciplinary Core Ideas dci

Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs) are the key ideas in science that have broad importance within or across multiple science or engineering disciplines. These core ideas build on each other as students progress through grade levels and are grouped into the following four domains: Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science, and Engineering.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 How Parents Can Help at Home

✔️ Check Google Classroom weekly for assignments and updates
🧠 Ask about what they’re learning and the problems they’re solving
🔧 Support the Engineering Design Process: Ask → Imagine → Plan → Create → Test → Improve
📚 Help study for quizzes/tests: review notes, use flashcards, explain concepts, study a little daily
🛠️ Help with projects: gather materials and give time to work
🌍 Connect science to everyday life (cooking, weather, nature)
📺 Watch science videos together (NASA STEM, SciShow Kids)
💬 Encourage effort and learning from mistakes
✉️ Contact the teacher for help when needed