Middle School Physical Science- Energy (Flex Class)

In this course, students will learn about physics concepts involving energy and energy transfer related to Next Generation Science Standards for Middle Level  (MS-PS3).

The format of each week will be as follows:
-Video: Students will watch a recorded video on each week's topics, allowing them to learn new concepts. Students will be provided a notetaker to allow them to keep notes from each week's video.
-Activity: Each week, students will get an activity to complete, which will vary based on each topic (reading passage, question/answer, fill in diagrams, science labs, etc.). Students will receive a STEM integrated activity each week to support learning and practice STEM skills. Students will have access to Khan Academy for additional resources that will be assigned as we cover content for additional enrichment
-Discussion Board: Students will answer daily questions in the classroom that will allow for students to demonstrate mastery of the content learned each week (4-5 questions per week). 
-Break Out Edu: Students will complete a break out room through Breakout Edu at the end of each unit through a link, as well as given access to sign up for ease of access to each topic's game and to keep record of progress. Students may help each other in the discussion board to solve clues by replying to the discussion thread with the code for each break out room. (Please note this is a website that is free to students where they will click on a link every single unit and they will participate in the game. signing up on the website is optional because it gives you direct access to maintain your scores, but it’s not required. Please also note that these are not break out rooms through zoom as this is a flex class, so there are no asynchronous meetings.)
-Kahoot: Each week students will be provided a direct link to a Kahoot quiz at the end of each unit
-Assessment: At the end of each unit, students will be given an assessment via Google Forms to complete to demonstrate mastery of the concepts. Scores will be released immediately for review. 
-Final Project:  In the final week, students will have an opportunity to use scientific engineering to model energy transfer and apply knowledge through a STEM project


The topics per week are as follows:
Week 1- Energy- Kinetic vs. potenial energy
Week 2- Kinetic energy and mass
Week 3- Kinetic energy and speed
Week 4- Potential energy- height vs. gravity
Week 5- Energy transfer and thermal energy
Week 6- Energy transfer and mass
Week 7- Energy transfer and matter
Week 8- Energy transfer and kinetic energy
Week 9- Project week-maximize or minimize heat transfer


In addition, students who sign up for this class will be given digital access to Super Science Magazine through a class code (with publisher permission). This code will be valid during the course (as code changes, new one will be shared in the classroom).