The RCMS Magnet Math, Science, Computer Science program is designed to foster an atmosphere of learning that enables its students to: creatively explore project based learning with real life applications through interdisciplinary, rigorous and enriched curriculum. Students develop independent and collaborative talents, problem solving skills, and analytical thinking abilities. Through this program students will cultivate a growth mindset that will encourage them to act as global citizens.
Magnet Investigations in Mathematics 6
This course provides a motivating and challenging experience for students. It is designed to provide a strong foundation for future magnet mathematics courses. The development of the language of mathematics, properties and structures are stressed as familiar topics are extended and new topics are introduced and studied. Emphasis is placed on analysis, application, communication and problem solving. Utilizing the common core curriculum, students will learn to collaborate, communicate and solve math problems with a variety of strategies and representations. The major topics and skills that will be covered in Magnet I.M.6 are Algebra and Patterns, Data Analysis and Probability, Geometry, Problem Solving, Reasoning and Connection. Students relate and apply mathematics to make connections within the discipline, among other content areas, and in their daily lives. Interdisciplinary connections within topics link mathematics/science/computer science through data collection and simulation, data manipulation and display, and data analysis.
Units of Study:
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- Real Numbers and Set Theory
- Ratios and Proportional Relationships
- Rational Numbers
- Geometry Relationships and Measurement
- Statistics and Probability
- The Real Number System
- Functional Relationships and Linear Equations
- Other Operational Systems
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Magnet Investigations in Science 6
Welcome to Magnet Investigations in Science for 6th Graders. This curriculum is a unique problem/project based curriculum. The learning is student-centered with the teacher acting as a facilitator. Instruction is woven around one main problem within each unit of study, and students will be presented a request for proposals (RFP) at the start of each unit. Minds-on inquiry and hands on explorations, productive discourse, purposeful reading and meaningful writing will guide the students through this exciting Science course! Students engage in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in order to propose solutions to real world problems. They will then use a design-folio throughout the quarter to research, develop, design and evaluate their proposal.
Units of Study:
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- Unit 1: Matter & Its Interactions
Students will discover that matter is composed of atoms and molecules that are attracted to each other and in constant motion. Students will apply the concepts of molecular motion to investigations that explore the heating and cooling of solids, liquids, and gases. Students will develop an understanding of density through investigations that test the variables of mass and volume of objects. Students will discover that the relationship between temperature and thermal energy depends on the types, states, and amounts of matter and will use this evidence to develop and understanding of heat. Students will explore simple chemical reactions that release and absorb energy and will discover that the breaking of certain bonds between atoms in the reactants create new products that conserve mass. Students will apply their understanding of chemistry to a real-life situation and design a solution.
- Unit 2: Ecosystem Interactions
Students will explore the biodiversity and essential factors of different ecosystems and learn that a population consists of all species that occur together at a given place and time. Students will investigate populations within food webs and categorize those populations as producers, consumers, and decomposers. Students will learn that organisms compete for limited resources and that the number of organisms an ecosystem can support depends on the resources available. Students will explore how competition may limit or generate the growth of populations in specific niches in the ecosystems. They will use models to demonstrate the flow of matter and energy in an ecosystem. Students will use this information to create and maintain a habitat for a local species.
- Unit 3: Human Impact on the Environment
Students will discover that natural resources are used by living things in a variety of ways but how much and in what ways we use those resources affects the footprint of our planet. Students will learn that our use of fossil fuels has consequences on the environment. Students will investigate how human activity and use of resources impacts the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere and consider alternative solutions for the products we make and the resources we use. They will model a solution to a variety of environmental problems created from natural resource use.
- Unit 4: Energy & Waves
Students will discover how alternative energy sources can be used to solve real world problems and design a solution. They must consider the ideas of electricity, magnetism, electrical energy production, and conversions of different types of energy, in order to debate and choose the best source of alternative energy. Students will explore the concepts of electricity and magnetism and the relationship between them. They will also investigate electrical energy and conclude it can be generated from a variety of sources and transferred into almost any form of energy. Students will discover that energy travels in waves and explore how light and sound behave. Students will use their design-folio to design a solution.
Magnet Computer Science 6
6th grade magnet computer science is an introductory computer science course. The 6th grade class uses the Computer Science Discoveries course from Code.org and Edison robots to empower students to create authentic artifacts and engage with computer science as a medium for creativity, communication, problem solving, and fun. The students learn computer programming and design through a multitude of different projects where they can be creative in what they make.
Units of Study:
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- Problem Solving
- Microsoft Word (mini-unit)
- Robotics: Invention and Edison Robots
- Web Design
- Physical Computing: Adafruit Circuit Playground
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Focus on Interdisciplinary Planning, Assessment, and Learning Opportunities
Rare Earth Elements book
This first interdisciplinary project involves students working as hypothetical interns for the United States House of Representatives Budget Committee. Students are tasked with determining which Rare Earth Element the US should invest in to help pay down the national debt. The finished product is a proposal book, written using Microsoft Word, to hypothetically be presented to the budget committee.
National Parks Website
This second interdisciplinary project has students working as National Park Rangers in Training at one of the 61 national parks. Students will have to create and build a webpage to promote their national park.
Natural Resource Usage Game
This third interdisciplinary project has students working as game builders with Code.Org to develop a working video game for elementary students. The goal of the game is to teach young students about natural resources and how their usage impacts the environment.
Circuit Playground
This fourth interdisciplinary project has students