San Marino Scuola Media Curriculum - Science

Science Curriculum Overview

The Science curriculum at San Marino Scuola Media aims to equip students with fundamental scientific and technological competencies crucial for navigating contemporary society. The curriculum emphasizes an investigative, inquiry-based approach, encouraging students to engage in direct observation, experimentation, and reflection. This approach fosters the development of scientific thinking, proper scientific language use, and an understanding of the interplay between science, technology, and society. The curriculum promotes curiosity, critical thinking, and social responsibility regarding resources and the environment.

Learning Areas

The Science curriculum covers three core learning areas:

• Physics and Chemistry: Students learn fundamental physical and chemical concepts and apply them to real-world contexts. They explore the transformation of raw materials, considering the associated economic and environmental aspects. Key concepts of energy, entropy, and transformation are also addressed.
• Astronomy and Earth Sciences: This area connects the development of science and technology to human history. Students learn about celestial events, theories of the universe's origin and evolution, and the properties of objects within it. They also develop skills in schematization, modeling, and representation of objects, facts, and phenomena. The curriculum emphasizes the finite nature of resources, unequal access to them, and the need for sustainable practices.
• Biology: Students explore the complexity of living systems and their evolution. They examine the diverse needs of plants and animals and how these needs are met in specific environments. The curriculum also promotes health awareness, encouraging students to adopt healthy lifestyles and understand the biological basis of heredity, puberty, and sexuality.

Skills and Knowledge

The Science curriculum fosters the development of various skills and knowledge across the three learning areas. Examples include:

• Physics and Chemistry: Understanding concepts like pressure, volume, velocity, weight, force, temperature, heat, and electric charge. Experimenting with simple circuits, chemical reactions, and states of matter.
• Astronomy and Earth Sciences: Observing and interpreting celestial phenomena, understanding Earth's movements and their effects, and recognizing different rock types and geological processes. Learning about seismic, volcanic, and hydrogeological risks.
• Biology: Recognizing similarities and differences in the functioning of living species, understanding biological classifications, and observing variability within species. Learning about cell structure, human anatomy and physiology, genetics, and the importance of biodiversity.

Methodologies

The Science curriculum utilizes a variety of teaching methodologies to engage students and promote active learning. These include:

• Hands-on Activities: Laboratory work and experiments allow students to observe and experience scientific concepts firsthand.
• Discussions and Reflections: Class discussions and reflective exercises encourage critical thinking and deeper understanding.
• Use of Multiple Resources: Manuals, digital resources, and other information sources provide a broader perspective.

This combination of methodologies aims to provide a comprehensive and engaging learning experience, fostering scientific literacy and a responsible approach to science and technology.