General Science 6 or Honors General Science 6

General Science focuses on the role of the sun’s energy on the Earth’s systems, water in the environment, air and atmosphere and basic chemistry concepts. Students explore the concept of change through study of transformations of energy and matter. Instruction also focuses on a more detailed understanding of the solar system and space exploration; natural resource management, its relation to public policy and its cost/benefit trade-offs, and scientific methodology, emphasizing precision in stating hypotheses and defining dependent and independent variables. Students learn to test the validity of predictions and conclusions. Instruction focuses on inquiry through observing, experimenting and modeling. The importance of scientific research that validates or challenges ideas is emphasized; therefore, students are encouraged to develop research projects for entry into science fair competition.