We teach an integrated physical science course that includes physics,
chemistry and Earth science to our 9th and 10th graders. Our 10th
graders also take an introduction to research course that includes
several biology projects. Our math teachers have also arranged their
schedule of topics so that a couple of math topics were introduced just
before they were needed in science or research.
Daniel Crowe
Loudoun Academy of Science
dan.crowe@loudoun.k12.va.us
larry.woolf@ga.com 04/15/07 6:06 PM >>>
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From: R. McDermott
Sent: Sun 4/15/2007 2:15 PM
Subject: Re: [Phys-l] Pilot 9th grade physics with inquiry
Perhaps the better answer to this whole sequence question is that we
should have an integrated science curriculum rather than all physics,
all chemistry, all biology in subsequent years. Why not teach 9th
graders the elements of each science at the time when it is most
relevant and then build on those sciences in subsequent years as their
math backgrounds develop?
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These comments are similar to those from AAAS Project 2061:
"Perhaps the ideal schedule would stretch all science subjects out over
time, with ideas sequenced in a way that would allow them to be taught
when they are needed and learnable, without regard to discipline, but
with the disciplines supporting each other" (AAAS, 2001)."
For a detailed discussion of this topic and the history of the
sequencing of high school science topics and integrated science, see:
<http://www.bscs.org/library/CapstoneCh1.pdf>