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Physical Science | 7th & 8th Grade

Unleash the power of observation and discover the science that shapes our world.

Explore scientific principles across various disciplines, including physical science, life science, and Earth and space science. Emphasizing inquiry-based learning, students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills through hands-on experiments, research projects, and collaborative activities. The course aims to prepare students for high school science courses by fostering a deeper understanding of scientific concepts and practices.

Modules 1-4:

  • The Basics

  • The Air

  • The Atmosphere

  • The Wonder of Water

Crystal Spheres

Spring Semester 2025​

Program Dates:

Jan 13, 2025 - May 23, 2025​

Tentative Schedule*:

Mon, Wed, & Fri

12:45pm-2:00pm PST

*Class schedule may be modified to meet student needs. See FAQ for more info.

Price**:

$510

**Discount available. See FAQ for more info.

Enrollment Closes:

Jan 27, 2025

The course will be opened based on a minimum enrollment of 6 students. See FAQ for more info.

What You'll Learn​​

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  1. Develop a foundational understanding of key scientific concepts and terminology.

  2. Apply the scientific method to conduct experiments and investigations.

  3. Analyze data and communicate findings through reports and presentations.

  4. Explore the interconnections between science, technology, and societal issues.

  5. Foster an appreciation for the natural world and the importance of environmental stewardship.

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By the end of the course, students will have learned the following:​

✓Scientific Concepts and Principles:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of core scientific concepts in physical science, life science, and Earth science.

  • Explain the fundamental properties and behaviors of matter and energy, and how they interact within various systems.

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✓Scientific Inquiry and Investigation:

  • Apply the scientific method to design and conduct experiments, formulate hypotheses, and analyze results.

  • Utilize appropriate tools and technologies for scientific investigations, collecting and interpreting data accurately.

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✓Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving:

  • Analyze and evaluate scientific information, identifying patterns, relationships, and inconsistencies.

  • Develop logical arguments based on evidence and articulate solutions to scientific problems.

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✓Communication Skills:

  • Communicate scientific ideas and findings effectively through written reports, oral presentations, and visual aids.

  • Collaborate with peers to discuss scientific concepts and present shared findings, demonstrating respect for diverse perspectives.

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✓Applications of Science:

  • Investigate and discuss real-world applications of scientific principles and technologies, including their impacts on society and the environment.

  • Understand the importance of scientific literacy in making informed decisions about personal and societal issues, including environmental sustainability and health.


✓Interdisciplinary Connections:

  • Connect concepts learned in science to other disciplines, such as mathematics and technology, in order to conduct and present scientific findings.

  • Recognize the relevance of scientific knowledge in everyday life and various career paths.

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✓Environmental Awareness:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of ecosystems, biodiversity, and the human impact on the environment.

  • Promote responsible stewardship of natural resources and sustainable practices through informed decision-making.
     

Your Instructor

Faculty HSs-51_edited.jpg

Mrs. Duyen Paquette graduated from University of Ottawa with a B.S. in General Science, and then graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor of Environmental Science and a Master of Science degree, specializing in Parasitic Entomology. She was a Program Chair for an IT department and a lead faculty for two different proprietary colleges. She also taught science in public high school. Currently, she is dedicated to teaching online science classes for Veritas Classical Academy and other institutions, such as Northwestern University CTD, and Central Texas College.
She and her husband both coordinate a private cat/kitten rescue to help sick, injured and abandoned cats/kittens. She is an avid jogger and swimmer. Her dream vacation is anywhere with a sandy beach. Her favorite Bible verse comes from Psalm 36:6 :  "Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals."

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Course Information â€‹

Course-Specific Required Texts and Materials:
Books and supplies are not included in the purchase of the course:

  • Apologia Exploring Creation with Physical Science

  • Additional learning resources assigned by the instructor

  • Laptop or tablet for research, note-taking, and assignments. All assignments will be typed digitally and submitted to Google Classroom.

  • Post-it notes and sticky tabs

  • Planner, either physical or digital

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General Technical Requirements: 

  • Laptop or Desktop

    • Please use a reliable laptop or desktop with a processor with a speed of 1 GHz or better on one of the following operating systems: Mac OS X with Mac OS 10.7 or later; Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista (with SP1 or later) or XP (with SP3 or later). An inexpensive laptop or netbook is preferred, as they enable you to plug an Ethernet cable directly into your computer. Students are only permitted to use phones for the Zoom sessions in cases of emergency. Note: It is significantly better to use an Ethernet cable to wire into a router rather than using WiFi, as WiFi signals can be notoriously unreliable based on device, distance to router, and interference from other electronics nearby

  • High-Speed Internet Connection

    • You will also need a reliable high-speed internet connection, ideally through an Ethernet cable directly connected to your computer. While Wi-Fi can work, it may not provide the best performance in terms of bandwidth. A faster internet connection will improve your experience, and we recommend a minimum download/upload speed of 5/1.5 Mbps. Depending on your location, you may also need to purchase a VPN to access Google Classroom, Google Suite, and Gmail.

  • Zoom

    • For our classes, we use Zoom, a web conferencing platform that allows students and instructors to connect face-to-face in real time, no matter where they are in the world. Zoom is free to download and simple to use. Click here to download Zoom.

  • See §VII in the VOA Parent-Student Handbook for more information about our technical requirements.​

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