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About the Science Center
The Champaign Schools Science Center was established in 1990 as a resource facility to support the district's standards-based science program. We currently coordinate and distribute approximately 630 K-8 science curriculum kits to our elementary and middle school science teachers. The curriculum kits provide supplies and resource materials for teachers to implement the activities for each science curriculum topic. The Science Center also has an extensive science library that includes many trade books, videos and curriculum guides to enhance the existing program as well as many professional journals for teachers.

The Science Center is open on weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Please stop by the Science Center at 402 N. Randolph or call 351-3709 if you have any questions about the District science curriculum or resources. Champaign Unit 4 teachers are welcome to call the Science Center to check out curriculum kits and manuals. Questions can be directed to Mica Witt, Science Materials Secretary wittmi@champaignschools.org or
Kristin Camp, Science Curriculum Coordinator campki@champaignschools.org

About Science in Unit 4
Our inquiry-based elementary science program emphasizes the development of a rich background of first-hand experience in the primary grades upon which the intermediate grade science instruction will build. Inquiry and process skills, as well as all areas of science content, continue to be developed through topical science units in Kindergarten through eighth grade that are supported by the Unit 4 Science Center. Life, physical, earth and space sciences are integrated into the units taught in Champaign's middle school science classrooms. High school science coursework enables Unit 4 students to excel in science after graduation and consists of a wide variety of college preparatory and AP coursework. Students completing their two-year requirement of high school science will have the skills and background needed to be scientifically literate members of society.

Illinois State Learning Standards

Elementary Science Curriculum

	Kindergarten: My Five Senses This unit has a variety of activities for students to learn more about their senses: tasting, seeing, hearing, touching, and smelling.
	Kindergarten: Life on the Farm Students are introduced to agriculture on a farm with soil investigation, identifying farm machinery, observing seeds and the plants they produce, life cycle of apples and pumpkins, identifying farm animals and animal sounds, and the classification of plants and animals.
	Kindergarten: Balls and Ramps Students will explore force and motion by working with balls, ramps and wheels. Children will focus carefully on how things work rather than on the "play" aspect of objects.
	Kindergarten: Sand & Water Students experiment with the properties of sand and water and collect and record data. They also observe floating and non-floating characteristics of objects in water.
	First Grade: Sun, Moon, & Stars By observing the day and night sky regularly, students in grades K-4 learn to identify sequences of changes and to look for patterns in these changes.
	First Grade: Magnets Students will learn the effects of magnets through observation and exploration.
	First Grade: Seeds & Plants Students will learn basic concepts related to plant reproduction, plant needs for life, plant habitats, and plant parts and functions.
	First Grade: Animal Habitats Students learn that animals must gather food, avoid predators, and withstand environmental conditions to survive. They also observe how body coverings, body parts, and behavior help play a part in the survival of animals.
	Second Grade: Structures Students learn in this unit about the various ways that buildings can be made stronger to withstand greater forces.
	Second Grade: Weather Wise Students will be able to identify and describe day-to-day and seasonal patterns of weather.
	Second Grade: Insects Students will learn basic concepts related to insect life cycles, insect needs for life, insect habitats, and insect parts and functions.
	Second Grade: Sound Students will learn to identify the relationship of sound to vibrations.  They will also be introduced to terms such as volume, pitch, and timbre.
	Third Grade: Mystery Powders This unit represents the students’ first systematic approach to the study of “chemistry,” that is, the study of the properties and changes of matter.
	Third Grade: Prairies Students will explore and study our local natural environment, both past and present.
	Third Grade: Simple Machines Students will be introduced to the concepts related to force and motion.  They will be able to identify the relationships between force, mass, and distance.
	Third Grade: Rocks to Soil Students will observe elementary processes of the rock cycle---erosion, transport, and deposit.
	Fourth Grade: Electricity and Magnetism Students will be introduced to the basic concepts of electricity.
	Fourth Grade: Light & Color Students learn that light travels in a straight line; they study about reflection and refraction, how lenses work, and the colors that make up white light.
	Fourth Grade: Animals & Their Environment Students learn that animals must gather food, avoid predators, and withstand environmental conditions to survive. They observe how body covering, body parts, and behavior help animals survive.
	Fourth Grade: Our Place in Space Students become aware of their place in the vast universe and in relations to other planets, learn more about the Sun and Moon, and investigate solar energy.
	Fifth Grade: Matter- Introduction to Chemistry Students work with a large variety of inexpensive materials, directly experiencing and observing properties and interactions. The overall approach in this unit is to allow/encourage students to develop and carry out their own investigations within general guidelines provided by the teacher.
	Fifth Grade: Invention & Design Students learn that inventions can be very simple and that small changes in design can have important consequences for the functioning of an invention.  They also spend some time learning and thinking about a wide variety of existing inventions and designs.
	Fifth Grade: Plants & Their Environment Students learn how scientists classify living things into five kingdoms.  They study bacteria, protist, molds, yeast, and mushrooms.  They also examine green plants, flowers, and collect leaves.
	Fifth Grade: Reading the Landscape Students learn about mapping, about the history and structure of the Earth, and about the rock and water cycles and effects of erosion.

Middle School Science Curriculum

	1st Quarter	2nd Quarter	3rd Quarter	4th Quarter
6th Grade	Nature of Science	Microbiology	Matter & Chemistry	Energy & Geology
7th Grade	Life Processes & Genetics	Particles	Electromagnetism & Sound	Oceans & Climates
8th Grade	Ecology	Geology: The Restless Earth	Astronomy	Forces & Motion

High School Curriculum

442 Biology: (1 unit, full year, grades 9, 10, 11, & 12.) (II)
Students should read at least at the ninth grade level. This course exposes students to the investigative nature of science and biology in particular. The course incorporates a close relationship between classroom discussions and laboratory work. Areas of study include cells and their activities, plants, animals, genetics, evolution, and ecology. Will fulfill lab course requirement for college.

443 Environmental Science: (1 unit, full year, grades 10, 11, & 12.) (II)
This course focuses on the scientific aspects of environmental problems such as, ecology, natural resources (soils, water, forests, wildlife, and minerals), weather, and pollution. Studies of energy consumption and population growth are coordinated with environmental issues. This is not a course that will fulfill a laboratory requirement for college admission but will satisfy general science requirements in Unit 4.

444 Unified Science: (1 unit, full year, grades 9, 10, 11, & 12.) (II)
This course is designed as an introductory science course at the high school level. It provides the student with an introduction to the basic disciplines of science: biology, chemistry, and physics. Upon completion of the course, the student may choose to continue with his/her science education by taking additional science courses such as full year courses in environmental science, biology, chemistry or physics. This course is designed for students who will not find the traditional first high school science course in biology appropriate. It provides the rigor of a category II course with regard to reading, writing, and laboratory expectations. Hands-on activities, discovery learning techniques, and a variety of other learning approaches are utilized. . Successful completion of this course satisfies district graduation requirements for one year of high school science.

445 Integrated Biological and Chemical Science I: (1 unit, full year, grades 9, 10, & 11.) (II)
The first year of a two-year sequence begins an integrated investigation into the core ideas of science. The curriculum weaves the disciplines of biology, chemistry, space science, earth science, and physics into a two-year course, using multiple perspectives to enhance interest level and the bredth of material. Areas of study will encompass those covered in the traditional biology and chemistry sequence. Students need to be disciplined and self motivated for this rigorous hands-on laboratory science. On completion of this course, students should enroll in Integrated 446.

446 Integrated Biological and Chemical Science II: (1 unit, full year, grades 10, 11, &12.) (II)
The second year of the sequence continues the curriculum designed for two years of coursework. See the description of Integrated 445 for specific areas of study. Completion of the two-year sequence prepares students to enter any of the department's level III science courses.

481 Chemistry of Nutrition (H 107): (1 unit of science credit, full year, grades 10, 11, & 12.) (II)
Prerequisite: one year of science.
Chemistry of Nutrition is the study of the science of the production, evaluation, and utilization of food. This is not a food preparation course. Scientific methods are used to conduct laboratory experiments with food. Students will develop chemistry-related laboratory, writing, and critical reasoning skills through measuring, recording, and graphing data. In addition, students will predict and evaluate laboratory results, and write laboratory reports. The science of the study of food is an expanding field of science. This course is recommended for students interested in the areas of food technology, food science and research, sports nutrition, dietetics, and chemistry.

544 Microbiology: 91/2 unit, either semester, grades 11 & 12.) (III)
Prerequisite: Biology 442 and Chemistry 545 or consent of instructor.
This one-semester course deals with the morphology, physiology, and economic importance of microorganisms. Special emphasis is placed on the use of bacteria in basic research. The course provides students an opportunity for vocational exploration in medicine, nursing, medical technology, food technology, pharmacology, and sanitary sciences. Laboratory techniques are emphasized, and most investigations are on an individual basis.

545 Chemistry: (I unit, full year, grades 10, 11, & 12.) (II)
Prerequisite: Algebra 334 with a grade of C or better .
This is an introductory chemistry course that enables students to investigate the chemical and physical make up of the world around them. Topics include atomic theory, properties of substances, chemical bonding, chemical equations, solutions, and acids/bases. Understanding and application of these basic topics will be emphasized through use of class discussion, demonstrations, and laboratory investigations. Students should have access to a scientific calculator.

546 Physics: (I unit, full year, grades 11 & 12.) (III)
Prerequisite: Recommend a C in Geometry 434 or 435 for success.
This course is designed for students who wish to discover more about the physical aspects of the world and the universe. The course is divided into three main topics: .Mechanics: velocity, acceleration, energy, momentum, forces, and gravity. .Light and Optics: reflection, refraction, diffraction, lenses, mirrors, lasers, telescopes, and the eye. .Electricity and Magnetism: electrostatics, currents, circuits, motors, generators, and induction. Topics in modem physics including radiation, radioactivity, atomic nuclei, nuclear energy, and relativity may also be covered. A strong laboratory program includes experiments from all three topics. Demonstrations, hands-on activities, discovery-learning, critical thinking exercises, and problem-solving sessions are also part of the course. Correlations are made between observations from daily life with the fundamental concepts in physics.

643 Anatomy & Physiology: (I unit, full year, grades 11 & 12.) (III)
Prerequisite: Recommend a C in Biology 442 and Chemistry 545 for success or consent of department chair .
This is an advanced biology course covering biological concepts at a sophisticated level with special reference to the human organism. The course is intended for those who are interested in biology as an area of further study or toward further work in biology as a career in medical fields such as medicine, nursing, medical technology, physiotherapy, and physical education. There is an intensive study of the cell as the structural and functional unit of the body. The course emphasis is not only anatomy but also the application of biochemistry to the physiology of the human body. The anatomy covered is that necessary for proper understanding of the physiology of each system. Laboratory investigations include both microscope examinations of human tissue and the gross anatomy dissection of a fetal pig and cow heart, as well as extensive study of the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems.

644 Biotechnology: (1/2 unit, either semester, grades 11 & 12.) (III)
Prerequisite: Biology 442 & Chemistry 545 or consent of department chair. Microbiology recommended.
This is a one-semester course dealing with the qualitative analysis of DNA by using techniques such as DNA isolation, gel electrophoresis, recombinant DNA, and DNA molecule mapping. This course is also designed to give students exposure to potential career opportunities in biotechnology. Laboratory techniques are emphasized. This course will complement the microbiology course.

646 Advanced Physics: (1 unit, full year, grades 11 & 12.) (III)
Prerequisite: Physics 546 and credit in or enrollment in Math 535 or 634 or consent of the department chair.
This course is designed to extend the science-oriented student's knowledge of the physical laws of nature. The areas of study are predominantly Newtonian mechanics, electricity/magnetism, and modem physics. Teaching methods include lectures, demonstrations, laboratory, heuristic exercises, research projects, problem solving, and teacher-pupil interactions. Students are prepared for university and Advanced Placement examinations upon completion of this course. The cost of the examination, as determined by the Advanced Placement Board, is $90.

845 Advanced Placement Chemistry: (I unit, full year, grades 11 & 12.) (III)
Prerequisite: Recommend a C in Chemistry 545 and credit in or enrollment in Math 534 or 535 for success or consent of department chair.
This course is for students interested in deepening their background in the sciences as well as those interested in the possibility of entering college-level science at a higher level than an introductory course. Students are prepared to take the Advanced Placement exam in chemistry upon completion of the course. The course presents an extension of some topics studied in a first-year chemistry course as well as the introduction of new subjects in chemistry. Lectures, demonstrations, and student-performed laboratory exercises are used to amplify advanced topics. The cost of the examination, as determined by the Advanced Placement Board, is $90.

880 Independent Study: (1/2 to 1 unit, either semester, grades 11 & 12.) (II)
Students may elect to further their knowledge in any subject area by conducting an independent study. Students who choose an independent study project should have taken all of the courses offered on that particular topic or in that subject area. A contract that spells out what the student plans to complete and a time line for project completion is developed between the student and teacher. Courses that are offered as part of the regular curriculum may not be taken for independent study.

Building Leaders and Content Area Chairs

Sites of Interest for Teachers National Science Foundation Illinois Natural History Survey The Urbana Park District Anita Purves Nature Center Staerkel Planetarium Illinois Science Teachers Association Champaign County Audubon Society Champaign County Forest Preserve District Middle Fork River Forest Preserve The Orpheum Children's Science Museum	Science Center's Library Resources...   Audio / Visual Resources

Champaign Community Unit School District #4 * Mellon Administrative Center
703 South New Street * Champaign, IL 61820 * 217.351.3800