Overview of the 2023-24 Academic Year for Science

Chelmsford Public Schools is committed to engaging and rigorous Science Curriculum. Over the last three years, we have undergone several revisions to assessments, pacing guides, syllabi, and pathways to transition to the 2016 MA STE Frameworks. In this process, a large focus on student-driven inquiry is occurring related to the following 8 core Science Practices:

  1. Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering)
  2. Developing and using models
  3. Planning and carrying out investigations
  4. Analyzing and interpreting data
  5. Using mathematics and computational thinking
  6. Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering)
  7. Engaging in argument from evidence
  8. Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

 

General Description of Science at our Building Levels:

Grades K-4:

Students are engaged in the FOSS Complete Science System in the areas of Life Science, Physical Science, and Earth/Space Science to meet the demands of the 2016 MA STE Frameworks. For more information on FOSS, please visit their website, or login with Clever for your student’s access.

Grades 5-6:

The FOSS Complete Science System is the core curriculum support for teachers and students in grades 5 & 6.  Teachers will grow in their understanding of the core Science Practices and how they relate to changes in the Massachusetts STE MCAS assessment.  Students in grade 5 take the digital Grade 8 MCAS STE Assessment, which covers Science, Technology and Engineering concepts in grades 3-5.

Grades 7-8:

Core curriculum supports for students in grades 7-8 are from McGraw Hill’s iScience materials.  Teachers have developed common assessments for each unit and benchmarking in grade 8 to assist with placement into high school courses.  Students in grade 8 will take the digital Grade 8 MCAS STE Assessment, which covers Science, Technology, and Engineering concepts in grades 6-8.

Grades 9-12:

Chelmsford High School offers several options for students to learn in a variety of Science Topics. Students have courses geared towards Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Environmental Science. Dual Enrollment options are currently available with Biotechnology and Chemistry through Middlesex Community College. AP course options are AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics 1, AP Physics C, and AP Environmental Science.