Science

The Jersey City Public Schools science curriculum is NJSLS-Science aligned and provides an explanatory learning approach to science education that prepares students to imagine, invent and inspire. The curriculum supports students so they can engage in examining multiple investigations driven by student questions with a range of possible outcomes.

Curiosity leads to learning, therefore, the curricula fosters a climate in which investigation, problem solving and discourse are nurtured. This results in a deeper understanding of scientific concepts and the engagement of all types of learners. 

The science curriculum empowers inquiry, cultivates imagination, provides a context for inventing and sparks creativity in all students through science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The curriculum provides opportunities for exploration through real word experiences that prepare students to powerfully contribute to the world around them and become well-informed global citizens.

K-5 Overview

Students in grades K-5 explore the three branches of science: Earth, Life and Physical. Students begin by observing, describing, and critically thinking about the world around them. Students are then expected to demonstrate grade-appropriate proficiency in planning and carrying out investigations and analyzing and interpreting data. Students are also expected to use these practices to demonstrate understanding of the core ideas(content).

Grades 6-8 Overview

Students in grades 6-8 explore the three branches of science: Earth, Life and Physical. The goal of middle science curriculum is to produce students who have gained sufficient knowledge of the practices, crosscutting concepts, and core ideas of science and engineering to engage in public discussions on science-related issues, to be critical consumers of scientific information related to their everyday lives, and to continue to learn about science throughout their lives. Students will come to appreciate that science and the current scientific understanding of the world are the result of many hundreds of years of creative human endeavor. 

High School Overview

Students in grades 9-12 will employ curricula that is NJSLS-S aligned and actively engage in scientific and engineering practices and apply crosscutting concepts to deepen their understanding of the core ideas in these fields. Students will have the opportunity to carry out scientific investigations and engineering design projects related to the disciplinary core ideas. As a result students will be able to engage with the major public policy issues of today as well as to make informed everyday decisions, such as selecting among alternative medical treatments, alternative energy sources, or determining how to invest public funds for water supply options. Understanding science and the extraordinary insights it has produced can be meaningful and relevant on a personal level, opening new worlds to explore and offering lifelong opportunities for enriching people's lives.

District Programs

District Programs High School

Glencoe Physics: Principles and Problems

• This program is an engaging interactive experience for students.  Glencoe Physics presents scientific concepts in a real-world, accessible manner.  Readable text, engaging labs and Science Notebook work together to help students experience program content by reading explanations, conducting experiments and transforming concepts in their mind through writing.

Glencoe Physical Science

• This program integrates accurate and comprehensive coverage of physics and chemistry with mathematics through accessible text, engaging features and a variety of hands-on experiences.  The critical-thinking opportunities, real-world applications and technology resources lead students to deeper understanding of physical science while building science process skills.

Glencoe Biology

• This program is organized around major themes, big ideas and the main ideas of biology.  It offers strong support for reading comprehension. The program’s comprehensive content is made relevant to students through engaging real-world contexts.  It provides vast array of laboratory experiences to build strong inquiry skills. 

Chemistry: Matter and Change

• This program motivates students to “bond” with chemistry at every level by providing a research-based method of organizing information for effective study and retention of content by employing Dinah Zike Foldables. It incorporates interactive chemistry labs with virtual investigations.

Student Opportunities 

Grades K-5

• FIRST LEGO LEAGUE Robotics
• JCMC/Barnabas  STEM Showcase
• Sustainability STEAM Challenge 
• Liberty Science Center

Grades 6-8

• FIRST LEGO LEAGUE Robotics
• JCMC/Barnabas  STEM Showcase
• STEM-Tastic
• Proyecto Science
• Sustainability STEAM Challenge

High School

• JCMC/Barnabas  STEM Showcase
• Rutgers Pre-Medical Honors Program
• Rutgers Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
• International Science & Engineering Fair
• FIRST Technology Challenge (HS Robotics) 
• TeenTech
• Regeneron Talent Search
• Sustainability STEAM Challenge