Our Curriculum › Science › 7th Grade
Science 7
A year of 7th-grade physical science: atoms and chemical reactions, forces and motion, energy, waves and light, electricity and magnetism, simple machines, and density, with engineering projects throughout. The last stretch is mostly review.
180 lessons
One a day for a school year
10 units
Each opens to its lessons
5 design projects
Circuit, roller coaster, signal device
Standards
NGSS middle school science
What's taught, unit by unit
Atoms, elements & matterDays 1–10
Atoms and the periodic table, how to tell that a chemical reaction happened, synthetic materials, the particle model of matter, state changes, and why atoms are conserved in a reaction.
- 1 · Welcome to Science 7: Atomic Composition Models
- 2 · Elements and the Periodic Table
- 3 · Evidence of Chemical Reactions
- 4 · Before and After: Comparing Properties
- 6 · Synthetic Materials from Natural Resources
- 7 · The Particle Model of Matter and Temperature
- 8 · State Changes Explained by Particle Motion
- 9 · Conservation of Atoms in Reactions
Plus 2 review days, not listed.
Forces, energy & wavesDays 11–25
Newton's second and third laws, electric and magnetic force fields, kinetic energy and heat transfer, then wave properties, sound, electromagnetic waves, and how devices send information with waves.
- 11 · Newton’s Third Law of Motion
- 12 · Newton’s Second Law: Force, Mass, and Acceleration (Qualitative)
- 13 · Electric Force Fields
- 14 · Magnetic Force Fields
- 16 · Kinetic Energy
- 17 · Thermal Energy Transfer
- 18 · Wave Properties: Amplitude and Wavelength
- 19 · Wave Properties: Frequency, and Digital vs. Analog Signals
- 21 · Sound Waves and Vibration
- 22 · Pitch, Volume, and Sound Wave Properties
- 23 · Introduction to Electromagnetic Waves
- 24 · How Digital Devices Use Waves to Transmit Information
Plus 3 review days, not listed.
Reaction types, gravity, wave behavior & materialsDays 26–50
Synthesis, decomposition, combustion and replacement reactions; gravity, net force and a maglev design; reflection, refraction and a signal-device challenge; energy transformations, impact design, and renewable resources.
- 26 · Types of Chemical Reactions: Synthesis and Decomposition
- 27 · Types of Chemical Reactions: Combustion and Replacement
- 28 · Conservation of Mass: Balancing What Goes In and Out of a Reaction
- 29 · Everyday Chemical Reactions: Spotting Reactions Around You
- 31 · Gravitational Force and Mass
- 32 · Engineering with Force Fields: How Maglev Trains Work
- 33 · Combining Forces: Net Force and Motion
- 34 · Designing a Solution Using Force Fields
- 36 · How Waves Interact with Matter: Reflection and Absorption
- 37 · How Waves Interact with Matter: Refraction and Diffraction
- 38 · Using Wave Patterns to Transmit Information
- 39 · Engineering Design Challenge: Building a Signal Device
- 41 · Energy Transformations: How Energy Changes Form
- 42 · Phase Changes: How Particles Behave as Matter Heats and Cools
- 43 · Newton's Second Law Applied: Force, Mass, and Acceleration in Real Life
- 44 · Designing to Withstand Force: Engineering for Impact and Stability
- 46 · Comparing Physical and Chemical Changes
- 47 · Natural Resources: Renewable and Nonrenewable
- 48 · Synthetic Materials and Environmental Engineering
- 49 · Engineering Solutions for Environmental Problems
Plus 5 review days, not listed.
Reaction energy, investigations & engineering designDays 51–75
Molecules, exothermic and endothermic reactions, designing and graphing a controlled experiment, the full engineering design process, models and scientific claims, trade-offs, and mixed reviews along the way.
- 51 · Molecules and Extended Structures: How Atoms Join
- 52 · Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions: Energy In, Energy Out
- 53 · Designing a Controlled Experiment
- 54 · Analyzing and Graphing Experimental Data
- 56 · Engineering Design Process: Define the Problem
- 57 · Engineering Design Process: Develop and Test Solutions
- 58 · Engineering Design Process: Optimize a Solution
- 59 · Case Study: Renewable Energy Engineering
- 61 · Mixed Review: Matter and Chemical Reactions
- 62 · Mixed Review: Forces, Energy, and Waves
- 63 · Mixed Review: Chemical Reactions and Forces
- 64 · Mixed Review: Energy, Matter, and Engineering Design
- 66 · Designing a Model to Explain a Phenomenon
- 67 · Evaluating Scientific Claims and Evidence
- 68 · Communicating Scientific Findings
- 69 · Science and Society: Engineering Trade-Offs
- 71 · The Nature of Scientific Models
- 72 · How Scientific Ideas Change Over Time
- 73 · Reviewing Chemical Reactions and Energy Changes
- 74 · Reviewing Wave Behavior: Reflection and Refraction
Plus 5 review days, not listed.
Simple machinesDays 76–85
Levers, pulleys, inclined planes, wedges, screws and wheel-and-axle, mechanical advantage, compound machines, and why no machine is perfectly efficient. Starts with a short halfway reflection.
- 76 · Introduction to Simple Machines
- 77 · Mechanical Advantage
- 78 · Compound Machines
- 79 · Energy Efficiency in Machines
- 81 · Halfway Milestone: Science Reflection
- 82 · Pulleys and Levers in Depth
- 83 · Inclined Planes and Wedges
- 84 · Screws and Wheel-and-Axle Machines
Plus 2 review days, not listed.
Electricity & magnetismDays 86–100
Circuits (series and parallel), conductors and insulators, building a circuit, static electricity, electromagnets, motors and generators, how power plants and the grid work, and saving energy at home.
- 86 · Introduction to Electric Circuits
- 87 · Series and Parallel Circuits
- 88 · Conductors and Insulators
- 89 · Building a Simple Circuit (Design Project)
- 91 · Static Electricity
- 92 · Electromagnets
- 93 · How Electric Motors Work
- 94 · How Generators Work
- 96 · How Power Plants Generate Electricity
- 97 · Comparing Energy Sources for Electricity
- 98 · How Electricity Travels: The Power Grid
- 99 · Energy Conservation at Home
Plus 3 review days, not listed.
Mixtures, solutions & densityDays 101–110
pH, acids and bases, pure substances and mixtures, solutions and solubility, separating mixtures, then density, floating and sinking, buoyancy, and designing a density investigation.
- 101 · Introduction to pH and Acids/Bases
- 102 · Mixtures vs. Pure Substances
- 103 · Solutions and Solubility
- 104 · Separating Mixtures
- 106 · Density
- 107 · Density and Floating/Sinking
- 108 · Buoyancy
- 109 · Designing a Density-Based Investigation
Plus 2 review days, not listed.
Friction, energy & lightDays 111–130
Friction and air resistance, potential energy and energy conservation with a roller coaster model, the electromagnetic spectrum, color, lenses, mirrors and the eye, then designing, testing and presenting a technology solution.
- 111 · Types of Friction
- 112 · Factors Affecting Friction
- 113 · Air Resistance
- 114 · Designing to Reduce or Increase Friction
- 116 · Potential Energy
- 117 · Energy Transformations: Potential to Kinetic
- 118 · Conservation of Energy
- 119 · Designing a Roller Coaster Model (Energy Project)
- 121 · The Electromagnetic Spectrum (Overview)
- 122 · Visible Light and Color
- 123 · How Lenses and Mirrors Work
- 124 · How the Human Eye Sees Light
- 126 · Designing a Real-World Technology Solution
- 127 · Testing and Improving Your Technology Solution
- 128 · Presenting Your Physical Science Project
- 129 · Reflecting on This Year's Physical Science Concepts
Plus 4 review days, not listed.
Review, community project & reflectionDays 131–150
Review of chemistry, forces, energy, waves, electricity, density and engineering; a community-issue design project from research to presentation; then reflecting on favorite experiments and setting goals.
- 131 · Reviewing Matter and Chemical Reactions
- 132 · Reviewing Forces and Motion
- 133 · Reviewing Energy and Waves
- 134 · Reviewing Electricity and Magnetism
- 136 · Reviewing Chemical Reactions, Forces, and Wave Design
- 137 · Reviewing Density and Buoyancy
- 138 · Reviewing the Engineering Design Process
- 139 · Preparing a Year-in-Review Science Presentation
- 141 · Applying Science to a Community Issue
- 142 · Researching Solutions to Your Community Issue
- 143 · Proposing Your Own Solution
- 144 · Presenting Your Community Science Project
- 146 · Reflecting on Your Favorite Science Experiments
- 147 · Reflecting on Your Growth as a Scientist
- 148 · Setting Science Goals for Next Year
- 149 · Creating a Science 7 Highlights Reel
Plus 4 review days, not listed.
Extra depth, practice tests & celebrationDays 151–180
A few extension topics (reaction rates, momentum, catalysts, Doppler effect, efficiency), then mastery checks, practice tests, final reviews and presentations, and celebration days. Mostly review and wrap-up.
- 151 · Deepening Chemistry: Reaction Rates
- 152 · Deepening Physics: Momentum (Conceptual)
- 153 · Deepening Matter: Density and Buoyancy
- 154 · Deepening Engineering: Cost-Benefit Analysis
- 156 · Deepening Waves: The Doppler Effect (Conceptual)
- 157 · Deepening Chemistry: Catalysts
- 158 · Deepening Energy: Efficiency Calculations
- 159 · Synthesizing a Year's Worth of Physical Science
- 161 · Reviewing Complex Multi-Concept Problems
- 162 · Mastery Check: Matter and Chemical Reactions
- 163 · Mastery Check: Forces, Energy, and Waves
- 164 · Mastery Check: Chemical Reactions and Physical Science Design
- 166 · Practice Test: Physical Science Concepts
- 167 · Practice Test: Scientific Investigation Skills
- 168 · Practice Test: Engineering Design Process
- 169 · Reviewing Scientific Thinking Habits
- 171 · Final Review: Matter, Forces, and Energy
- 172 · Final Review: Waves, Electricity, and Chemical Reactions
- 173 · Final Review: Engineering and Scientific Practices
- 174 · Preparing Your Science 7 Presentation
- 175 · Presenting Your Science 7 Journey
- 176 · Science 7 Celebration Day: Favorite Experiments
- 177 · Science 7 Celebration Day: Skills Showcase
- 178 · Looking Ahead: Preparing for Science 8
- 179 · Final Reflection: A Year of Science 7
- 180 · Congratulations! You Completed Science 7!
Plus 4 review days, not listed.
By the end of the year, your child can
- Tell a physical change from a chemical change and explain why atoms are conserved
- Use Newton's laws to explain how forces change an object's motion
- Describe how energy changes form and how waves carry energy and information
- Build a simple circuit and explain how electricity and magnetism work together
- Design, test and improve a solution using the engineering design process
Other 7th Grade subjects: Math 7 · Reading 7 · Writing 7 · History 7