Science 1206
Instructor: Mr. Matt Huxter
Website: http://huxtersk.weebly.com
Email: matthewhuxter2@nlesd.ca
Course Outline
As with science curriculum at other grades, this consists of four units: one Life science, one
Earth and Space science, and two Physical science units. You will be participating in a
variety of activities designed to promote inquiry, problem solving and decision making.
Laboratory activities and STSE (Science, Technology, Society, and Environment) Modules
will help you go beyond the facts and see how science impacts our everyday lives.
Unit 1: Chemical Reactions
(33 hrs = 30%)
This unit builds on the concepts learned in Grade 9 chemistry and explores chemical
reactions: how they start and what they form. In preparation for later chemistry courses,
these investigations require you to name and write formulas and to begin representing
chemical reactions in symbolic form.
Unit 2: Ecology
(22 hrs = 20%)
This unit extends the Grade 7 life science unit by focusing on sustainability of ecosystems.
You will be challenged to think about large-scale systems and the flow of matter and energy
within those systems. It is intended that the earth be recognized as essentially a closed
system, which means sustainable use of resources becomes a major concern.
Unit 3: Motion
(33 hrs = 30%)
This unit offers the first opportunity for you to observe, measure, and describe motion by
using mathematical principles and formulas. We will explore uniform (constant) motion
and uniformly accelerated motion. As the unit develops, direction becomes important with
vector notation being introduced.
Unit 4: Weather Systems
(22 hrs = 20%)
In this unit you will learn about the major concepts related to atmospheric conditions that
produce our weather. You will (weather permitting!) construct weather data collection
instruments and collect, analyze, and interpret your data. The influence of matter and
energy exchanges on weather system development is central to the unit. You will also
practice your skills as a weather forecaster and reflect on how weather influences our
society.
Mr. Huxter
2015-2016
1
Evaluation
Evaluation in this course follows the guidelines provided by the NLESD for Science 1206. It
is summarized below:
Unit Tests / Quizzes
Performance Assessment
First Exam
Second Exam
20%
40% (Labs, Assignments, Projects, etc.)
20% (January: Chemistry and Ecology)
20% (June: Physics and Weather)
The percentages above are for the end of the year. For any one report card the percentages
may be different due to the number of tests, assignments or exams that have been
completed at that time.
Lab Activities
Labs are one of the most exciting parts of science class, and the activities outlined below
will all be completed throughout the year. The skills and concepts learned in the labs will
be tested on each unit quarter final. Before completing any experiment in this course, you
will complete the lab safety content and return a signed lab safety contract.
Unit 1 – School yard ecosystem.
Unit 1 – Soil nutrients and plant growth.
Unit 2 – Properties of molecular and ionic compounds.
Unit 2 – Single and Double displacement reactions.
Unit 3 – Determining an average speed.
Unit 3 – Speeding up and slowing down.
Unit 4 – Energy changes during melting and evaporation.
Unit 4 – Heat absorption and radiation.
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Important Points
STUDY HABITS
Science 1206 requires studying and practice in addition to the activities and labs
performed in class. It is important that you keep your notes and handouts well organized
and review them on a regular basis. Homework must also be completed regularly. Although
it does not count directly in your evaluation, it is given so that you can practice working
with the concepts that are part of the labs, assignments, tests and exams. It is simply not
enough to study right before a test and expect to do well. Regular work and review will
ensure your success.
Mr. Huxter
2015-2016
2
COURSE MATERIALS
Students will be expected to keep a binder portfolio. This portfolio will be used to keep
notes, homework, study guides, worksheets, laboratory reports and any other course
materials. This binder portfolio will be passed in and evaluated on a regular basis. This
portfolio will be essential to the overall success of students in this course since it will
comprise a portion of the overall mark. It is also important in that it keeps all the materials
necessary for preparation of tests.
A NOTE ON PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENTS:
Assignments, homework, labs, projects etc. are a great opportunity for you to improve your
mark, especially if you have difficulty on tests and exams. You will be given the
opportunity to complete work on these assignments in class where you can ask for help.
Teacher Comments
As with all courses at the High School level, success cannot be achieved without a
significant amount of effort on part of the students, teachers, and parents. A strong home
school connection can allow for academic success for each student. Please feel free to
contact me by calling the school or using the email provided at the beginning of this outline.
Mr. Huxter
2015-2016
3