Science

Unit 1: Understanding Matter and Energy (Electricity and Electrical Devices)

The overall expectations we will be covering are:

1. Evaluate the impact of the use of electricity on both the way we live and the environment.
2. Investigate the characteristics of static and current electricity, and construct simple circuit.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of electrical energy and its transformation into and from other forms of energy.

Unit 2: Understanding Structures and Mechanisms - Forces Acting on Structures and Mechanisms

In this strand, students will identify and describe forces acting on and within structures. As they measure and compare external forces (natural or human) acting on structures and their effects on different materials, they will develop a more sophisticated understanding of the concept of
force and of ways in which structures respond to forces acting upon them. Students will have an opportunity to apply their learning as they design and build structures or mechanisms.

By examining the effects of forces from natural phenomena on society and the environment, students will gain respect for the power behind these forces and appreciation for the devastating effects that they have on the natural and built environment, and they will be able to develop
strategies for keeping themselves and others safe during these events.

Big Ideas: 
- Structures and mechanisms throughout our environment have forces that act on and within them.
- We can measure forces in order to determine how they affect structures and mechanisms. This information can be used to guide the design of new structures and mechanisms.
- Forces that result from natural phenomena have an effect on society and the environment.

Overview of the Unit: (By the end of the unit, students will be able to:)
1. Analyse social and environmental impacts of forces acting on structures and mechanisms;
2. Investigate forces that act on structures and mechanisms;
3. Identify forces that act on and within structures and mechanisms, and describe the effects of these forces on structures and mechanisms. 

Biodiversity Research

A biome is a very large ecological area on the earth’s surface with animals and plants (fauna and flora) adapting to the environment. Biomes are defined by climate, vegetation, soils, etc. The plants and animals in the biome have special adaptations that make it possible for them to exist in that area. One example of an adaptation would be camouflage, or how an animal can blend in with the surroundings so that they are hidden in the natural environment.

Some biomes are listed below:

Desert biome

Freshwater biomes – lake, river, pond, wetland

Saltwater biome – ocean, coral reefs, estuaries

Forest biomes – tropical rainforest, temperate forest, boreal forest (taiga)

Grassland biomes – Savanna grasslands, temperate grasslands

Tundra biomes – Arctic tundra, alpine tundra

Students will be given time in class to research their chosen biome, however, they may want to do some research at home to have a good idea of what biome they would like to study in class.