From the Desk of Linda McClelland
Science Department Chair

Deer Park Middle Magnet School follows and adheres to the Baltimore County Middle School Science Program goal which is to provide a quality education for all students. To achieve this mission, science instruction follows the principle of “hands on/minds on”. Students are engaged in real life science investigations requiring the use of problem solving and critical thinking.
The middle school program is built on a foundation of performance-based instruction and assessment. The major goal of the program is to develop substantive science literacy in all students. This will also ensure successful achievement of the Maryland State Learning Outcomes and the National Standards for Science.

Maryland Learning Outcomes

1. Concepts of Science: Students will demonstrate their acquisition of major concepts and unifying themes from the life, physical, and earth/space science.
2. Nature of Science: Students will demonstrate the ability to interpret and explain information generated by their exploration of scientific phenomena.
3. Habits of Mind: Students will demonstrate ways of thinking and acting inherent in the practice of science.
4. Attitude: Students will demonstrate positive attitudes toward science and its relevance to the individual, society, and the environment and demonstrate confidence in their ability to practice science.
5. Processes of Science: Students will demonstrate the ability to employ the language, instruments, methods, and materials of science for collecting, organizing, interpreting, and communicating information.
6. Applications of Science: Students will demonstrate the ability to apply science in solving problems and making decisions about issues affecting the individual, society and the environment.

The Curriculum

In the last three years the Baltimore County science curricula has undergone considerable change. This has been in keeping with our need to become more aligned with the state’s Voluntary curriculum. The sixth grade science curriculum was revised in 2004, the seventh grade was changed in 2005 and the eighth grade is slated for revision in the summer of 2006. The standard units that are currently being taught are:

Assignments and Policy

There are four reasons why teachers use homework; (1) to increase student achievement, (2) to build student academic independency, (3) to reinforce the daily learning experiences and (4) to expand the time restraints of the curriculum. Deer Park Middle Magnet School’s homework policy focuses on two primary ideas: (1) Students have a right to be given homework that enhances learning. (2) Teachers are responsible for assigning homework. Students should have about 60-80 minutes of homework each evening.

Although there will be other projects and assignments given to students by their science teachers, the major science project is the Science Fair. The Science Fair is an annual event that draws hundreds of participants and viewers from the school, as well as the community. Information pertaining to the Science Fair will be sent home with all students in October. The Science Fair is scheduled to be held during the first week of February. DPMMS’s grading policy is 50% Class Work, 30% Assessments and 20% for Homework.

The Extended School Day
Academic based organizations are encouraged by the school. The science department offers MESA (Math, Engineering, Science Achievement) and WINGS (Women in Science).
Coach class, is held after school every Thursday from 3:00-4:00. Students may attend coach class for help with a specific problem, to make up assignments missed during an absence from class or to work for special projects like science fair. Students must be in uniform during all after school activities

Contacts/Messages
There are several ways that you may contact your child’s science teacher. The most direct way is to call the school @ 410 887-0726 and ask for the teacher’s Voice Mailbox. The second method is to contact the teacher via email. Information on specific voice mail numbers and teacher email numbers should come home with your child during the first week of school. The final method would be to contact guidance (or the teacher directly) to set up a personal conference at school.