Welcome to Ms. Petersen's webpage

7th Grade Science - Olympian Team
epetersen@ladue.k12.mo.us

Web page updated Tuesday, May 19, 2009, 7:00 am

Students who are proficient in science:

1. Know, use and interpret scientific explanations of the natural world;

2. Generate and evaluate scientific evidence and explanations;

3. Understand the nature and development of scientific knowledge; and

4. Participate productively in scientific practices and discourse.

KNOW	UNDERSTAND	DO
Multiple Intelligences (MI): Know the 9 different MI and how to use them to learn.	Understand that everyone has all 9 MI but the level of talent is what varies from individual to individual. We are all smart!	Bring in sample of how you use one of your MI.
Nature of Science: Know what a hypothesis, an inference, an observation and what analyzing evidence means.	Science is limited to studying the natural world & uses logical thought processess to explain the world & universe we live in.	Learn to how to think like a scientist.
Scientific Methodology: Know the vocabulary associated with experimental design: IV, DV, constants, procedures, control group, experimental group.	Experimental design is a method to test claims to see if they are true or not.	Learn how to write up experiments in your lab book.
Populations & Ecosystems: Know what ecosystems, biomes, producers, consumers, food webs, species interactions and limiting factors are. Know the difference between biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem.	Everything is connected to everything else and the Law of Conservation of Energy - Energy is neither created nor destroyed - it simply changes forms.	Build a Worm farm & learn about Species Interactios.
Biomes: Know the characteristics of the 7 major terrestrial biomes - 1)Tundra, 2)Woodland, 3) N. Conferous Forest (Boreal), 4)Tropical Rainforest, 5) Decidous Forest, 6) Desert 7) Grassland	The climate (precipitation, sunlight, temperature, and humidity) determine the biome.	Become an expert in one biome and teach that biome to the class.
Global Climate Change affects all living organisms and affects the weather day to day. Know the green house effect, the hole in the ozone layer; and know what global warming is.	Humans are impacting the planet in major ways and the number of species that are in danger has been increasing due to this human influence.	Learn the vocabulary and be able to interpret graphs related to Global Climate change.
Evolutionary Theory - by means of Natural Selection.	Those organisms most adapted to the environment have a greater chance of success; ie Survival of the Fittest.	Learning about the life of Charlesl Darwin and what current biologists say about Darwin's work. Learn about comparative embryology & the fossil record.
Living Things: Know the 7 characteristics of living organisms; know the cell parts & functions of both animal & plant cells.	Cell Theory: Has 3 parts 1) All living things are composed of cells; 2) Cells are the basic unit of structure an function of living things; and 3) cells are produced from other cells.	Learn the use of the microscope and the cells structures & functions.