Veritas Science 8 - Mrs. Hamilton (Miss Schmidt)

About Me

I'm originally from Michigan, but have called Columbus my home for the past 4 years. This is my third year with BCSC and second year here at Northside. When I'm not at school, I enjoy eating chocolate chip pancakes, hanging out with my dog (Millie), watching crime shows with my cats (Arnie & Q), shopping (especially at Target), napping, pretending to golf with my husband, and doing word puzzles. When school is not in session, you can find me on the trails or in the lake out at Columbus Youth Camp. 

Contact Information

Email: schmidtli@bcsc.k12.in.us

Phone: Ext. 1125

Class Instragram: @Hamiltonclasshappenings (formerly @schmidtscience)

Link to Veritas Homework Page

Course Information

This course is compromised of research and application. We will be reading and discussing current science theories and practices. Along with reading and answering questions, we will be doing hands-on labs, simulating real problems, creating projects, and discovering how science impacts the world around us.

The driving theme of this course is to determine where our responsibilities as global citizens start and if there is such a line where it ends. The big question is “Just because science can, does that mean we should? This is derived from Dr. Malcom of Jurassic Park’s famous line, “Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether they could that they didn’t stop to think if they should.” Below is an outline of our course units.

The Nature of Science

• Demonstrate understanding of the scientific method by conducting experiments, collecting data, and analyzing evidence to support or reject a hypothesis

Human Impacts on the Environment

• Evaluate evidence on climate change
• Discuss both positive and negative ways human influence the environment

Genetics & Heredity

• Discover how genetic traits are passed down with regards to how that impacts individual organisms and allows species to transform
• Classify organisms by shared traits and explain how scientific names express these traits
• Gather information on how humans genetically modify organisms
• Investigate the effects of bacteria and viruses on the human body

Elements, Atoms, and the Periodic Table

• Understand atomic arrangements and molecules
• Decode the patterns of the Periodic Table
• Balance chemical equations
• Experiment with chemical and physical reactions

Full Course Syllabus Available Here