Long Beach Middle School

Science Department

Dear Parent/Guardian,

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the Science Department at Middle School.

Our role as teachers is to provide our students with tools, resources, experiences, and skills to become independent thinkers and life-long learners. Our science classes will be a safe and comfortable learning environment where all children's voices, opinions, and ideas are nurtured and validated. Inquiring, designing, evaluating and reflecting on the impacts of science are integral components of science in the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program.

SIXTH GRADE SCIENCE

The sixth grade science curriculum provides a more formalized setting in which to learn and understand many of the basic concepts of the physical sciences. Emphasis is placed on demonstrations and "hands-on" activities to provide experiences so children will be able to comprehend and apply these scientific principles in their everyday world.

SEVENTH GRADE SCIENCE

Students must be well prepared in science, as well as in the application of science to decisions they make in their daily lives. A major goal of the science curriculum is to help students recognize, understand, and appreciate the applications of life science to everyday living. Throughout the curriculum, important concepts are emphasized that serve as the basis for understanding and interpreting the general principles of life science.

EIGHTH GRADE SCIENCE

A major goal of this course is to provide students with the opportunities to develop principles, concepts, and scientific process that will help them solve the problems of the future. Energy shortages, resource management, earthquake and weather predictions are some of the difficulties facing our students. The study of earth science and physical science provides for a framework to confront these issues.

The New York State Board of Regents adopted P-12 Science Learning Standards (http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/mst/sci/nyssls.html) in December 2016, and the standards are effective as of July 2017. Implementation of the standards will occur over a several year period, with this school year concerned with professional development of educators.

News

sci

Current News

Long Beach Middle School Excels at Science Bowl

Long Beach Middle School science research students delivered an outstanding performance at this year’s Science Bowl, hosted by Brookhaven National Laboratory. The five person team of eighth graders, Katya Karnegie, Jamie Mendoza, Lucas Onufrock, Matthew Ragona and Andrew Schneider, earned first place in the STEM portion of the competition, showcasing the strength of the Long Beach science research program and the depth of its students’ scientific knowledge and analytical skills.

The Science Bowl is a prestigious, team-based academic competition organized by Brookhaven National Laboratory, one of the nation’s leading U.S. Department of Energy research institutions. The event challenges students with rapid-fire questions across a wide range of STEM disciplines, including biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, mathematics, and energy science.

Competing head-to-head with buzzers, teams have just 15 seconds to respond to each question in front of professional scientists. Calculators are not permitted, despite the inclusion of complex mathematical problems, placing a premium on critical thinking, speed, accuracy, and teamwork.

Participation in events such as the Science Bowl provides students with early exposure to advanced scientific concepts and the professional research environment. These experiences foster collaboration, problem-solving under pressure, and strong scientific literacy skills that prepare students for future academic and career success in STEM fields.

Date Added: 2/5/2026

LBMS Teacher Featured on the Toshiba ExploraVision Website!

Congratulations 7th grade English and 6th grade Activities Promoting Thinking (APT) teacher, Walter Kramme, for being featured on the Toshiba ExploraVision's website.

On the ExploraVision page, Mr. Kramme shared, “As an IB World School that teaches under the MYP framework, we proudly embrace inquiry-based learning. The ExploraVision program is tailor-made to fit within those parameters. The very ideals of ExploraVision allow students to truly think as global citizens and question the world around them. During this process the students were able to realize that they are not just members of their local community, but citizens of a larger global community.”

To see Mr. Kramme’s full piece, visit this link.

Long Beach Middle School Students Achieve Highest Honors

A sixth-grade team representing Long Beach Middle School’s Activities Promoting Thinking (APT) class achieved Highest Honors in the 39th annual WordMasters Challenge, a national vocabulary competition. The Long Beach students scored an impressive 169 points out of a possible 200 placing them tenth in the nation.

They competed in the very difficult Gold Division and team results are based on the cumulative scores of the top ten finishers, including ties. Top finishers included, Jack McNicholas, Caylee Donaghy, Arwyn Donofrio, Laina Sisko, Rowan McLaughlin, Harlen Werner, Peter Latman, Wolfe Scanio, Madeline Eckert, Jackson Ferraro, Slate Koss, and Riley Pilczak. Additionally, Jack McNicholas achieved outstanding individual results scoring a 19 out of 20. The students were coached in preparation for the WordMasters Challenge by Long Beach English Teacher Walter Kramme.

The WordMasters Challenge is an exercise in critical thinking that first encourages students to become familiar with a set of interesting new words that are considerably harder than grade level and then challenges them to use those words to complete analogies expressing various kinds of logical relationships.

Date Added: 1/22/2026

Save the Date for the LBMS Musical

You're invited to a royally fun night of theater! Come see the Long Beach Middle School musical Once Upon a Mattress - a hilarious twist on the classic fairy tale that's full of laughter, catchy songs, and amazing student talent. Performances are Thursday, February 5 and Friday, February 6 at 7:00pm in the Long Beach Middle School auditorium. Click here to purchase tickets.

Date Added: 1/12/2026

LBMS Seventh and Eighth Grade Transition Night

LBMS recently hosted students and families for a seventh and eighth grade transition night. The soon-to-be seventh and eighth grade students had a chance to learn about classes, clubs and activities that are offered respectively. Students and families were invited to explore department and club table displays that were set up throughout the library and cafeteria also giving them the chance to speak with teachers and other students as well as listen to presentations relating to scheduling. Special thanks to school counselors, Dr. Darkeh and Mrs. McDonnell, for their scheduling presentations and to department directors and student presenters for their interactive displays, Mr. Neri and student musicians and the LBMS National Junior Honor Society students for greeting and directing families.

Click here to view the LBMS Seventh and Eighth Grade Transition Night slideshow.

Date Added: 1/12/2026