Introduction 
This is the home page for Mr. Fiero's Science class at Rio Norte Junior High School. We hope you find it useful and entertaining. Please come back often as you like for it is constantly expanding as we attempt to share our enthusiasm for the adventure of discovery about the universe and Nature. The truth, or something like it, is everywhere-but on your journey for truths, of any kind, please apply the qualities of active curiosity, requiring evidence, using logic, open-mindedness to possibilities, intuition, imagination, and skepticism. What do you want to know? Go find it!
Please consider the following...
Educational Philosophy
This class is for my seventh grade students and the subject is life science (biology). My goal for my students is science literacy so they can be fully functioning members of this 21st century global civilization and to ignite thier curiosity and passion to understand their reality. I want them understand and value the elements that characterize the nature of science: curiosity, creativity, logic, authenticity, skepticism, self-critiquing community of intellectuals, applicability, and empiricism so they can apply scientific principles in their daily lives and inform their world views. It is important for us to see how the sciences, technology, and society are closely connected and influence each other throughout the history of humanity.
We all seek truths to live by: spiritual (metaphysical), psychological, and worldly (natural, cultural, etc.). Although 'science' only can measure, observe, and therefore theorize, about the one natural physical universe (and dimension) at this time; it can help guide and inform individuals in all of their personal and professional endeavors. We all can and do practice science skills and methodology everyday: problem solving, discovering truths, searching for the next best choice of action, etc. Science is not just about fact finding and knowing about Nature or skills in a particular science career/field; it is a modern way of being and thinking that can be applied to all facets of life and knowing.
My approach to science teaching is guided inquiry where students construct their knowledge of science using their previous experience adding and modifying their preconceptions into real science literacy through laboratory exploration and group and self-guided study. However, due to the limited time I have with students, I must combine superior inquiry-, problem/project-, and argument (Socratic)-based teaching strategies (hands-on & minds-on) with more traditional (and perhaps more efficient) direct teaching-lecture and discussion, vocabulary building strategies, visual literacy, reading comprehension strategies, cornell note-taking, cognitive apprenticeship (learning partnerships), and some differentiated instruction to provide equitable and individualized instruction. I hope to peak their interests and critical thinking abilities and fully engage them in life science while having fun and building self-esteem through academic and personal success.