Science Pathways
From first science fair projects to AP science and original research. Each grade shows the accelerated focus, free curriculum, practice, paid boosters and the science competitions to enter.
Where each track goes, grades 3–12
| Grade | Standard | Accelerated (GiftedGlobe path) | Double-accelerated |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Grade 3 science | Grade 3 + science fair | Grade 3–4 topics |
| 4 | Grade 4 science | Grade 4 + Science Olympiad (elem.) | Grade 4–5 topics |
| 5 | Grade 5 science | Grade 5 + middle school preview | Integrated science 6 |
| 6 | Integrated science 6 | Integrated science 6+ | Life science |
| 7 | Life science | Honors life science | Physical science with algebra |
| 8 | Physical science | Physical science with algebra | Honors Biology |
| 9 | Biology | Honors Biology | Honors Chemistry |
| 10 | Chemistry | Honors Chemistry | AP Biology or AP Physics 1 |
| 11 | Physics | AP Biology or AP Physics 1 | AP Chemistry / AP Physics C |
| 12 | Science elective | AP Chemistry / AP Physics C + research | Research + second AP |
Measurement, data and first science fair projects. Science Olympiad starts at the elementary level.
Grade3
Science · Grade 3Forces & life cycles
Measure forces, study life cycles and track weather data.
Forces & life cycles
Measure forces, study life cycles and track weather data.
Understand the pathway
What this year coversThird grade adds measurement and data: forces and magnets, life cycles, inheritance and weather patterns. Students start using graphs to support conclusions.
- Balanced & unbalanced forces
- Magnets
- Life cycles
- Inherited traits
- Weather & climate data
- Fossils & environments
Next stopReady for grade 4 when experiment data can be graphed and used to support a conclusion.
Learn
Accelerated curriculumPractice & test
Practice sites and benchmark testsBoost
Paid programs, tutors and test prep
Grade4
Science · Grade 4Energy & Earth
Build circuits, study waves and read the rock record.
Energy & Earth
Build circuits, study waves and read the rock record.
Understand the pathway
What this year coversFourth graders study energy, waves and Earth’s history in rocks. Accelerated students build circuits, join elementary Science Olympiad teams and use PhET simulations.
- Energy transfer
- Electric circuits
- Waves & information
- Rocks, fossils & erosion
- Plant & animal structures
- Natural hazards
Next stopReady for grade 5 when a circuit can be designed to solve a problem and explained with an energy diagram.
Learn
Accelerated curriculumPractice & test
Practice sites and benchmark testsBoost
Paid programs, tutors and test prep
Grade5
Science · Grade 5Matter, ecosystems & space
Model particles, food webs and the solar system.
Matter, ecosystems & space
Model particles, food webs and the solar system.
Understand the pathway
What this year coversFifth grade connects matter, ecosystems, Earth’s systems and space. It is the first year for the 3M Young Scientist Challenge, and a strong year to preview middle school science.
- Particles of matter
- Food webs
- Earth’s spheres
- Water on Earth
- Gravity
- Stars & the solar system
Next stopReady for middle school honors science when a model can be used to explain matter and energy in an ecosystem.
Learn
Accelerated curriculumPractice & test
Practice sites and benchmark testsBoost
Paid programs, tutors and test prepCompete
Contests and showcases for this gradeQuantitative middle school science, Science Olympiad and Science Bowl teams.
Grade6
Science · Grade 6Integrated science 6+
Study cells, Earth and energy, and join a Science Olympiad team.
Integrated science 6+
Study cells, Earth and energy, and join a Science Olympiad team.
Understand the pathway
What this year coversMiddle school science gets quantitative. Sixth graders study cells, Earth’s systems and energy, and can join Science Olympiad Division B and National Science Bowl teams.
- Cells & organisms
- Earth’s interior & plate tectonics
- Weather systems
- Energy & heat
- Engineering design
- Lab safety & measurement
Next stopReady for honors life science when a controlled experiment is designed and written up as a lab report.
Learn
Accelerated curriculumPractice & test
Practice sites and benchmark testsBoost
Paid programs, tutors and test prepCompete
Contests and showcases for this grade
Grade7
Science · Grade 7Honors life science
Go deep on cells, genetics and evolution.
Honors life science
Go deep on cells, genetics and evolution.
Understand the pathway
What this year coversHonors life science covers cells, genetics, evolution and ecosystems at depth, preparing students to take Honors Biology early.
- Cell structure & function
- Genetics & heredity
- Evolution & natural selection
- Human body systems
- Ecosystems
- Scientific argumentation
Next stopReady for physical science with algebra when genetics problems (Punnett squares) and data analysis are solid.
Learn
Accelerated curriculumPractice & test
Practice sites and benchmark testsBoost
Paid programs, tutors and test prepCompete
Contests and showcases for this grade
Grade8
Science · Grade 8Physical science with algebra
Use algebra to describe motion, forces, energy and chemical reactions.
Physical science with algebra
Use algebra to describe motion, forces, energy and chemical reactions.
Understand the pathway
What this year coversAccelerated eighth graders pair physical science with their Algebra 1 course: motion graphs, Newton’s laws, the periodic table and chemical reactions. This prepares them for Honors Biology and Chemistry.
- Motion & graphs
- Newton’s laws
- Energy & work
- Atoms & the periodic table
- Chemical reactions
- Waves & electromagnetism
Next stopReady for Honors Biology when motion and energy problems can be solved algebraically.
Learn
Accelerated curriculumPractice & test
Practice sites and benchmark testsBoost
Paid programs, tutors and test prepCompete
Contests and showcases for this gradeHonors Biology and Chemistry, AP sciences, olympiads and original research.
Grade9
Science · Grade 9Honors Biology
Take high school biology and start olympiad and research tracks.
Honors Biology
Take high school biology and start olympiad and research tracks.
Understand the pathway
What this year coversHonors Biology covers biochemistry, cells, genetics, evolution and ecology with real lab work. Strong students start USABO preparation and science fair research.
- Biochemistry
- Cell biology
- Molecular genetics
- Evolution
- Ecology
- Experimental design
Next stopReady for Honors Chemistry with an A in Honors Biology and Algebra 1 complete.
Learn
Accelerated curriculumPractice & test
Practice sites and benchmark testsBoost
Paid programs, tutors and test prepCompete
Contests and showcases for this grade
Grade10
Science · Grade 10Honors Chemistry
Master chemistry fundamentals and try the Chemistry Olympiad.
Honors Chemistry
Master chemistry fundamentals and try the Chemistry Olympiad.
Understand the pathway
What this year coversHonors Chemistry uses algebra heavily: stoichiometry, gas laws, equilibrium and acid–base chemistry. It is the base for AP Chemistry and the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad.
- Atomic structure
- Bonding
- Stoichiometry
- Gas laws
- Equilibrium
- Acids & bases
Next stopReady for AP science when chemistry problems combine several concepts without step-by-step prompts.
Learn
Accelerated curriculumPractice & test
Practice sites and benchmark testsBoost
Paid programs, tutors and test prepCompete
Contests and showcases for this grade
Grade11
Science · Grade 11AP Biology or AP Physics 1
Take a first AP science and aim for olympiads and research programs.
AP Biology or AP Physics 1
Take a first AP science and aim for olympiads and research programs.
Understand the pathway
What this year coversEleventh graders take AP Biology or AP Physics 1, often both over two years. This is the prime year for the F=ma exam, USABO, and summer research programs.
- Kinematics & dynamics
- Energy & momentum
- Rotation
- Molecular biology
- Cell signaling
- Statistics for lab data
Next stopReady for AP Chemistry or AP Physics C with a 4 or 5 on the AP exam.
Learn
Accelerated curriculumPractice & test
Practice sites and benchmark testsBoost
Paid programs, tutors and test prepCompete
Contests and showcases for this grade
Grade12
Science · Grade 12AP Chemistry / AP Physics C + research
Finish advanced AP science and present original research.
AP Chemistry / AP Physics C + research
Finish advanced AP science and present original research.
Understand the pathway
What this year coversSeniors take AP Chemistry or AP Physics C and complete an original research project. The Regeneron Science Talent Search is open only to seniors.
- Thermodynamics
- Kinetics
- Electrochemistry
- Calculus-based mechanics
- Electricity & magnetism
- Research writing
Next stopReady for college science beyond the introductory sequence.
Learn
Accelerated curriculumPractice & test
Practice sites and benchmark testsBoost
Paid programs, tutors and test prepCompete
Contests and showcases for this gradeGiftedGlobe is an independent guide and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organizations, contests or products linked on this site. Names are trademarks of their owners. Check each organization’s site for current eligibility, fees and dates. Families should choose acceleration with their child’s school and teachers.