Students begin by examining the general properties of waves using mechanical waves in water and string. They later apply these principles to light, sound, and ocean waves. Students also learn how sounds are heard in the ear and how light is seen by the eye. Students investigate communicable diseases. Students read about an outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus, investigate how diseases are spread, examine how the body fights disease, and use information gathered in the unit to solve a real-life outbreak.
Students investigate astronomy, with a minor emphasis on paleontology.
They learn about an asteroid impact with Earth, explore concepts related to solar-system astronomy, and use information gathered in the unit to warn people of Earth about a new asteroid. Students, through a series of problem solving activities, locate a missing space probe. Students use cooperative learning techniques and research skills to formulate hypotheses, plan an investigation, investigate and decipher clues, and finally locate the missing space probe. The Great Solar System Rescue was developed by Tom Snyder Publications. Using the investigation wheel, students ask driving questions, plan an on-line investigation, search the web for information, assess the validity and appropriateness of gathered information, compile facts and ideas, and formulate a response to their driving question.