Science

Ralston Middle School’s Science team is dedicated to promoting the learning and practicing of scientific principles and practices of our students to prepare them for science in high school, college, and beyond. We strive to create a collaborative, hands-on, integrated science curriculum that supports the needs and curiosity of all students at Ralston and fosters 21st century learning and skills.

Ralston’s science program follows the integrated California framework for the Next Generation Science Standards for grades 6-8 utilizing Stemscopes as the adopted curriculum. The Next Generation Science Standards can be found here.

6th Grade Science

This course follows the California Next Generation Science Standards.  We cover the following scientific topics:

• Nature of Science & Systems unit:  We explore Life Science; including scientific writing (CER).
  Life & Earth Sciences: We explore all living systems, specifically ‘what makes something alive?’ 

• Within our MSI “Canoes in Sloughs” unit, we explore Community Water Systems and how human impact modifies waterways, ecosystems and contributes to pollution.
  We will have an introduction to Socratic seminar, Scientific Illustration & Scientific Writing.  

• At the cellular level we differentiate between animal & plant cells, and step into our first collaborative lab in groups on human body systems. We will later focus on the skeletal system by building a robotic arm reviewing the Engineering Design Process (EDP).  Students will use observation & inference as we use microscopy to discuss animal vs plant cells. We wrap up by reviewing a small aspect of reproduction (with a brief introduction genetics). 

• Our second engineering project is an environmental adaptation project as it relates to genetics/heredity.  We begin the semester with reviewing declining wetlands, understanding pollution and other human impacts on local watersheds.  We review weather and climate, ocean currents and within each unit we focus on humans’ impact on the environment, ecology; how is our footprint changing the world we live in?
  Engineering’s role in Science and other various career paths in Science are highlighted in each unit we explore.

• All year tools: Lab safety, engineering practices, problem-solving skills, collaboration making us stronger as scientists! 

Science Content Covered:

Nature of Science

Scientific Process
Scientific Illustration
& (CER) Writing

Life Science

Cells and Body Systems

Heredity and Adaptation

Earth Science

Earth Systems and Human Impact

Density

Review of graphing

Physical Science

How energy use impacts Earth’s systems
Potential to Kinetic Energy Transfer and Heat transfer

7th Grade Science

In 7th grade science, we explore earth, life, physical, and environmental science through hands-on investigations, labs, and real-world problems. Students are encouraged to ask questions, investigate, collect evidence, build explanations, and design solutions like real scientists and engineers.

Throughout the year, students study:

• Earth & Geology – rocks and minerals, the rock cycle, plate tectonics, continental drift, and evidence of Earth’s changing surface.

• Ecosystems & Marine Science – ecosystems, ecological relationships, aquatic environments, ocean acidification, and marine mammals. Students work with the Marine Mammal Center through the Ocean Ambassadors program.

• Natural Resources & Conservation – renewable and nonrenewable resources, human impacts, resource management, and conservation solutions.

• Chemical Reactions – evidence of chemical reactions, conservation of matter, endothermic and exothermic reactions, reactants and products, and the periodic table.

• Photosynthesis & Cellular Respiration – how plants capture and use energy and how matter moves through living systems.

• Teen Talk – a two-week health and wellness program focused on growing up, relationships, communication, peer pressure, sexuality, gender, and making healthy, informed decisions.

• Science & Engineering Practices – designing investigations, analyzing data, arguing from evidence, and developing solutions to real-world problems.

A major focus of the class is learning science by doing science. Students regularly participate in labs, field experiences, engineering challenges, research projects, collaborative investigations, and science notebooks.

Some examples include:

• Squid dissection
• Owl pellet dissection
• 2 marine biology focused field trips
• Exploring microorganisms under the microscope
• Hands-on rock and mineral analysis
• Chemical reaction labs

8th Grade Science

In 8th grade science, students will explore four major units throughout the school year, covering a variety of topics in life, physical, Earth, and space science. We begin the year by getting to know one another, learning classroom routines, and building a strong classroom community. Starting the year with opportunities to connect with peers helps create a positive and collaborative environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, sharing ideas, and learning together.

• Unit 1: Space & the Solar System
  Our first unit takes students beyond Earth as they explore space, the solar system, and the objects within it. Students will investigate the scale and structure of our solar system and learn how scientists use models to better understand objects and distances that are difficult to observe directly. One of our exciting hands-on activities is creating a scaled model of the solar system, allowing students to visualize just how vast our solar system really is.

• Unit 2: Earth’s History & Evolution
  In our second unit, students travel back through Earth’s history to explore how our planet has changed over time. Students will examine evidence from fossils, rock layers, and other scientific discoveries to understand Earth's history and the processes that have shaped life on our planet. They will also explore evolution, including how species change over time and how scientists use evidence to understand relationships between organisms.

• Unit 3: Forces & Motion
  In Unit 3, students dive into the world of forces and motion. They will investigate how forces affect the movement of objects and apply their understanding to real-world situations. Throughout the unit, students will explore Newton’s Laws of Motion through hands-on investigations, challenges, and engineering activities that allow them to put their knowledge into practice.

• Unit 4: Waves
  Our final unit focuses on the properties and behaviors of waves. Students will investigate different types of waves and explore how waves transfer energy and are used to communicate information. Students will also connect what they learn to real-world applications, including sound, light, and how animals use waves to interact with their environment. One of the highlights of this unit is a sheep eye dissection led by Science from Scientists, giving students the opportunity to apply their understanding of waves and light while participating in an engaging, hands-on scientific investigation.

Throughout the year, students will have many opportunities to learn by doing through labs, models, engineering challenges, investigations, and collaborative activities. Our goal is to help students develop not only their science knowledge, but also the curiosity, critical-thinking skills, and problem-solving abilities they can use both inside and outside the classroom.