6th Grade Science Semester 2

Enrollment Message

Students need access to a webcam or video recording device.

Course Description

Curious about what makes the world work? In 6th Grade Science, students step into the role of scientists and engineers, investigating the forces, energy, systems, and life around them. This course turns learning into an adventure through hands-on labs, real-world problem solving, and creative design challenges.

From the moment class begins, students will uncover the secrets of motion—tracking how time, position, and energy interact to set everything in motion, from skateboards to satellites. They'll dive into the world of energy, exploring how it moves, changes form, and fuels everything from machines to ecosystems. Waves won’t just be something we hear or see—they’ll be something we understand, as students investigate the science behind sound, light, and communication.

Students will journey through space science, where they’ll explore the gravitational forces that shape galaxies and keep our solar system in motion. And right here on Earth, they'll dig into ecosystems to discover how living things survive, adapt, and rely on one another in complex food webs and energy cycles.

Throughout the year, students will engage in the full spectrum of Science and Engineering Practices_ asking testable questions, building and refining models, conducting investigations, analyzing data, and proposing innovative solutions to real-world challenges. Every unit is woven with opportunities to read like a scientist, write like a researcher, and think like an engineer.

This course isn’t just about learning facts—it’s about doing science. Whether students are designing a roller coaster model to explore kinetic energy or simulating a habitat to test the balance of an ecosystem, they’ll be building the skills, confidence, and creativity needed to become tomorrow’s innovators and problem-solvers.

Get ready to explore the universe, one discovery at a time—because 6th Grade Science is where curiosity meets action!

Major Topics and Concepts

• Biology and Ecology
• Animal Behavior, Food Chains, and Food Webs
• Green Plants and Seeds
• Photosynthesis and Transpiration
• Kinetic and Potential Energy
• The Law of Conservation of EnergyEnergy Sources
• Velocity, Work, Power, and Acceleration
• Newton’s Laws of Motion

Indiana Academic Standards

• Science Grade 6

Grading/Evaluation

Indiana Online does not assign letter grades, grant credit for courses, nor issue transcripts or diplomas. A final score reported as a percentage of total points earned will be sent to students upon completion of a course. Your school of record can also access this score within the Student Information System, Genius. The final score will be shown as a percentage in Canvas and Genius. The student’s school of record will determine the letter grade based on their specific grading scale.

Students must complete at least 70% of the course and take all parts of the final exam(s) to have a score reported to their school of record. Failure to meet these requirements will result in a score of 0 reported to the school of record.

Assessments

Online assessments consist of formative and summative assessments represented by computer-graded multiple choice, teacher-graded writing assignments including hands-on projects, model building and other forms of authentic assessments. 

The assessments for this synchronous course are weighted as follows

Teacher Contact Response Time

Students can use email or the private message system within Genius or Canvas to access highly qualified teachers when they need teacher assistance. Students will also receive feedback on their work inside Canvas. The Teacher Information page of their course may describe additional communication options.

The teacher will respond to student inquiries (email, text, call) within one business day. Assignments will be graded and posted within two business days.

Expectations for Academic Conduct 

Student Handbook 

It is your responsibility to read the student handbook to understand all aspects of taking an online course including expectations for academic conduct. Contact your teacher if you have any questions. 

Assistance for Students with Accommodations

Indiana Online supports an inclusive learning environment for all students. If there are aspects of the instruction or design of this course that hinder your full participation, such as inaccessible web content, or the use of non-captioned videos and podcasts, reasonable accommodations can be arranged.

Technology

Technology Requirements 

Students will require a computer device with headphones, a microphone, webcam, up-to-date Chrome Web Browser, and access to YouTube. Please review the Indiana Online’s Technology Requirements.

Technical Skills Needed 

Basic technology skills necessary to locate and share information and files as well as interact with others in a Learning Management System (LMS), include the ability to

• download, edit, save, convert, and upload files
• download and install software
• use a messaging service similar to email
• communicate with others in online discussion or message boards, following basic rules of netiquette
• open attachments shared in messages
• create, save, and submit files in commonly used word processing program formats and as a PDF
• save a file as a .pdf
• copy and paste and format text using your mouse, keyboard, or an html editor’s toolbar menu
• insert images or links into a file
• search for information within a document using Ctrl+F or Command+F keyboard shortcuts
• work in multiple browser windows and tabs simultaneously
• activate a microphone or webcam on your device, and record and upload or link audio and/or video files
• use presentation and graphics programs
• follow an online pacing guide or calendar of due dates
• use spell-check, citation editors, and tools commonly provided in word processing tool menus
• create and maintain usernames and passwords

Technical Questions?  Please contact the Indiana Online Helpdesk.