Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Monday, August 24, 2026
Sunday, August 23, 2026
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Monday, August 17, 2026
Friday, August 14, 2026
Thursday, August 13, 2026
08.13.2026 - Thursday - recap
Day Two - 08.13.2026 - Thursday - Science and Math
In Science we continued with our “Golf Ball Bounce” experiment as a vehicle for discussing error in experiments, variables, and the importance of math in science. We also went into a bit more detail on Conversion Factors. Math saw an activity designed to introduce students to Probability with dice rolling that proceeded a Bell Curve.
A Mythbusters episode on baseball held explain the way scientists try and control variables in any experiment. Tomorrow we’ll discuss the difference between the Independent and the Dependent Variable and look for sources of error in our own experiments. Conversion factors are a good math / science connection as they’re important when we touch on chemistry and physics concepts later this year. Especially “Dimensional Analysis.”
In math students rolled two dice and added the numbers - creating data points on a table which slowly took the form of a Bell Curve, a shape that shows up in math and science class repeatedly. This introduced possible vs probable and likely versus unlikely outcomes.
The goal, this week, has been to introduce our notes, LAB procedures and some basic concepts while setting the stage for Week #2. Years ago, in my student-teaching days at my high school; Capuchino High School in San Bruno - the Principal stated that we should teach right away; from the very first Day of the semester. That idea always stayed with me and I’ve always agreed that every day counts when it comes to curriculum.
Our first quizzes - in both Math and Science - will come at the end of Week #2. Both are open note reviews.
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
08.12.2026 - Wednesday - Recap
08.12.2026 . - Wednesday - Day One
Science and Math was both an introduction to class procedures and a practical introduction to how those procedures look each day. The most important routines were the seating (groups), the interactive student notebooks, and today’s mini-labs meant to give a preview on what a typical day might cover.
In science we had a few notes that began with supplies but quickly covered a “fact.” “The universe is, about, 14 billion years old.” Most students dutifully wrote this but I wanted to remind students that science is not a collection of facts. Facts are useful and our text book is replete with facts yet that is not science. I once taught a wonderful student who knew every element on the Periodic Table by symbol, name and mass. When I worked as a computer programmer with chemists, at Chevron Corporation, the chemists would, often, look up information on elements and compounds using the Periodic Table. While knowing all of the “facts” about elements is fun and useful, it is absolutely not “Science.” Science is a way of problem-solving. A way of thinking. A way to work in teams and with peers to solve problems and uncover deeper truths about the nature of reality.
A simple Science experiment, today, was the “Golf Ball Bounce” experiment. We used it not only because I enjoy a good round of golf, but because it will introduce the students to a important concepts in science; variables and experimental error. (Along with unit conversions.)
In math the goal was similar; introduce students to problem-solving in a small team while addressing a question that seems simple, at first. “How many different ways can a manager, in baseball, arrange nine different players in a batting order?” The problem-solving includes drawing a diagram or picture; solving a simpler question that is similar. Finally; finding a pattern.
Today’s introduction, in all classes, introduced procedures and routines while giving a small taste of what a typical day might include. Science and Math are a process and way of understanding our complex universe. On to a year of discovery ….
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Monday, August 10, 2026
August 10th, Monday - 2026 - Week #1
Science / Math - Mr. Forbes - August, 2026
Welcome Back to School! This year we’ll be teaching four science classes and one math class in room B1. We have large class sizes in seventh grade, and I wanted to introduce myself and let you know what will be needed in our class for success. I like to keep supplies and routines as straightforward as possible so students are not overwhelmed by details and can instead focus on the curriculum and on being prepared for high school.
I’ve taught math and science for two decades and have been here, at the Pacifica School District, for about half that time. Before teaching, I worked for Chevron Corporation in various capacities (mainly as a computer programmer), and my experiences with an international petroleum company informs much of my teaching in chemistry, Earth science, and the engineering design process.
Seventh-grade science standards focus on biology and evolution. The standards cover quite a bit of ground, and the focus here will be;
Earth Science and the interaction between Chemical Cycles and Biology.
The human impact on the environment and the ongoing challenge of living sustainably.
A background of how life developed on Earth and the mechanisms of evolution.
The importance of biodiversity and being environmental stewards.
The Engineering Design Process (EDP) and Scientific Method.
Math curriculum both complements and enhances the Science curriculum with particular focus on solving one and two-step equations, the Cartesian Coordinate System, solving word problems, probability and statistics, arithmetic properties, solving inequalities, proportions, percents, and the geometry of circles, triangles, and three-dimensional solids.
Material for all classes;
A. Spiral-bound notebook. These will be used daily. Students may use a binder with lined paper, but an eight-inch by ten-and-a-half-inch (8” x 10.5”) spiral notebook works well for both taking the notes and having a resource to use on our exams and assignments.
B. Pencil and Pen.
C. Colored pencils. (A small pack is fine.)
D. Small hand-held pencil sharpener. (These are for the colored pencils as pencils with color tend to be tough on our mechanical sharpeners in class.)
F. Glue sticks. (For our handouts, diagrams, and notes.)
In math, there will be a text-book to take home and a class-set as well, so there’s no need to carry a book in the backpack. Science relies on the spiral notebook being in class and ready-to-go each day.
The whole class can check their Google Classroom and my website (www.pacificascience.org) for the interactive class notes and assignments.
I’m looking forward to another year of learning and discovery! We’ll be jumping in on the first day with assignments as we make every one of our 180 days together count.
Happy first week of the ’26 / ’27 school year!
Mr. Forbes- Room B1 - Science and Math
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Science - Final Exam Study Guide
Final Exam Study Guide-
Open Note
- The Kingdoms of Life - How many - Describe each-
- Plankton and the food pyramid - Producers vs Consumers - Heterotrophs and Autotrophs.
- Similarities and differences between plant, animal, fungal, and bacteria cells.
- Subatomic particles - The relative size and charge of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
- The conservation of matter and energy.
- Displaying data on a chart in science. Where do we place the independent and dependent variables?
- Natural vs Artificial Selection.
- Season and tide - what causes each?
- Age of The Universe and age of Earth
- The Law of Superposition.
- Fossils - What are the types and variety of fossils?
- The rock cycle. Types of rock and what drives the rock cycle.
- Evidence for evolution.
- Newton’s Three Laws of Motion.
- The Engineering Design Process and Scientific Method.
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Friday, May 22, 2026
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Monday, May 18, 2026
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