7th-8th Grade Module Selection

This page lists all available modules at this time, any modules shown in gray are modules being repaired and are temporarily unavailable. Please read the information and think carefully before selecting. Students will only experience 6-7 modules each year and will not be allowed to repeat a module.

Aquaculture
In the Aquaculture Module, students learn fish biology, care, and management by maintaining their own goldfish tank. After an introduction to the history of aquaculture, they conduct chemical tests of tank water, learn fish anatomy and metabolism, calculate fish growth and productivity, and maintain records of their activities. Along the way, they learn the processes involved in an aquaculture operation and consider environmental impacts of aquaculture.

Astronomy
In the Astronomy Module, students learn about the vastness of outer space and their relationship to it. They investigate the Sun-Moon-Earth system, the solar system, and the larger universe, including stars, galaxies, black holes, and supernovas. Students learn basic characteristics of the optical telescope and practice focusing on distant objects. Also, they learn methods for expressing the vast distances in space in mathematical terms.

Biotechnology
In the Biotechnology Module, students briefly explore the past, present, and future of biotechnology. Through hands-on activities, computer simulations, and laboratory experiments, they investigate the structure of the DNA molecule and learn how it can be changed through genetic engineering, including recombinant DNA, gene splicing, and transgenic biotechnology. They consider some implications of using biotechnology in medicine, agriculture, and other fields.

Clothing Care
In the Clothing Care Module, students test water to determine what kind of detergent they should use in their particular geographical location. They learn the proper procedures for washing, drying, and ironing clothes and how these procedures are affected by the care labels on clothes. Students also conduct a test to determine which laundry detergent and spot remover work the best. They also learn how to reattach buttons and fasteners that can come off clothing while doing the laundry.

CNC Mill
In the CNC Mill Module, students are introduced to CNC manufacturing by using a CNC Micromill, a fully functional tabletop mill. They learn to design products using the Cartesian coordinate system, to program the computer to manufacture their designs, to use a virtual reality program to preview the product in three dimensions, and to use the mill to manufacture the finished product. Students are also introduced to mass production and the importance of quality control.

Early Childhood
In the Early Childhood Module, students explore the physical, intellectual, social, and emotional development of children from birth to age eight. Students research a wide variety of activities and meals identified as age appropriate for children. Finally, they examine career opportunities within the field of early childhood development.

Electricity
In the Electricity Module, students learn the principles of electricity and draw schematics of both parallel and series circuits. Students wire a series and a parallel circuit and classify conductors and insulators. They use a volt-ohm meter as well as identify the magnetic fields important to the concept of electricity. Students also measure voltage, resistance, and current during the Module activities.

Environmental Issues
In the Environmental Issues Module, students use multimedia and hands-on activities and experiments to explore pollution, loss of habitats and biodiversity, resource use, waste management, global climate change, and human population growth. They learn statistics relating to these issues; do activities relating to acid rain, paper recycling, and the greenhouse effect; and develop a plan to address a given environmental problem.

Fitness & Health
In the Fitness & Health Module, students explore the basics of personal fitness and learn how to keep their bodies fit both inside and outside. They begin by analyzing their own fitness level. Students learn ways to measure and improve cardiovascular and muscular fitness. They learn the basics of proper nutrition, and the proper care of hair, skin, and teeth. Finally, based on what they have learned, they develop a plan to improve and maintain their own fitness.

Flight Technology
In the Flight Module, students learn the principles of flight. They use a computer flight simulator to experience piloting an aircraft. Each student evaluates the other and prepares a written critique of his or her partner’s flight. Students are introduced to navigation and they plot a course using angular measurement and mathematical computation.

Food Science
In the Food Science Module, students examine the six main nutrients. They conduct experiments demonstrating food science concepts. Students use laboratory equipment including an electronic balance, graduated cylinders, test tubes, and beakers. They also write a separate laboratory report for each experiment conducted during the course of the Module.

Genetics
In the Genetics Module, students learn genetics terminology and simulate breeding experiments similar to Mendel’s. They construct models of chromosomes and DNA. Students create Punnett squares and determine probabilities of offspring given specific parent genotypes. They complete a dihybrid cross and a natural selection experiment.

Heart Fitness
In the Heart Fitness Module, students cover factors affecting heart fitness, particularly diet and exercise. They monitor and record blood pressure and heart rate, identify heart structures, and describe the path of blood through the circulatory system. They monitor their own diet and relate it to heart fitness. They study symptoms of cardiovascular disease and learn the relationship of diet, lack of physical activity, and smoking on development of cardiovascular disease.

Horticulture
In the Horticulture Module, students briefly explore important subfields of horticulture and then delve into the processes of growing and maintaining their own plants, including germinating plants, making cuttings, and growing plants in both soil and hydroponics media. They explore plant classification, structure, and reproduction. They are introduced to the forestry industry, tree identification, and ecology and conservation concerns in horticulture and forestry.

Interior Design
In the Interior Design Module, students study many concepts that today’s interior decorator utilizes on a daily basis. They explore the principles of design from interior design to color coordination, floor plans, home furnishings, and budgets for remodeling. Students learn about the relationships between material costs and personal choices by creating a cost proposal for a remodeling project.

Light & Lasers
In the Light & Lasers Module, students explore aspects of light and lasers and see how technology can be used. Students use geometric concepts to divide and reflect a laser beam along a path and to create a security system utilizing the beam. Light is explored and manipulated through experiments that use lenses, prisms, filters, and intensity meters. The data from these experiments is analyzed and interpreted to provide a clear picture of the nature of light.

Microwave Cooking & Nutrition
In the Microwave Cooking & Nutrition Module, students explore the correct and proper usage of the microwave oven. Students learn the advantages of microwave cooking versus conventional cooking and also prepare several recipes. After preparing the recipes, students use a software program to evaluate the nutritional value of these foods.

Plants & Pollination
In the Plants & Pollination Module, students fit plants into the five- and six-kingdom classification systems and learn the importance of plants on Earth. They are introduced to the structure and function of plant cells and tissues. They learn the functions of roots, stems, and leaves; and they cover plant processes including photosynthesis, respiration, and transpiration. They also look at plant pollination and reproduction and the difference between monocots and dicots.

Practical Skills
In the Practical Skills Module, students learn to identify common tools and their uses. They will be introduced to the history of measuring systems, repair faulty systems, and follow directions to assemble prefabricated furniture. One important skill taught is to recognize situations when it would be best to call in a professional to help them solve the problem.

Research and Design
In the Research & Design Module, students design, manufacture, and race a model CO2-powered dragster car. Students design their car to meet certain specifications and limitations so that it qualifies as a legal car on race day. They learn the concepts and terms in the design process as well as gain an understanding of lift and drag on an object. After they finish their car, students test it in several ways and predict its performance.

Robots
In the Robots Module, students learn about the fascinating role that robots play in their lives. More and more, this technology is helping to improve the way we live and manufacture items. Students learn how to operate, program, and use robots in different environments. Initially, each student learns to manipulate the robot and program it to conduct repeatable tasks. Ultimately, they operate a robot located in a remote location away from direct view via a televised image of the work task.

Rocketry & Space
In the Rocketry & Space Module, students learn about the development of rocketry and the United States space program and its history. Learning the principles of rocket design, propulsion, and certain scientific principles that are fundamental to successful rocket flight are important concepts in this Module. Students construct and launch a model rocket as a means of applying the scientific concepts presented.

Soils
In the Soils Module, students explore the role soil plays in agriculture and in our survival as a species on this planet. Students learn about soil formation, soil chemistry, and sustainable agricultural practices used to conserve, as well as increase, the productivity of soil. They participate in experiments that determine the characteristics of an agriculturally productive soil and show the importance of the relationship among soil, water, air and living organisms.