This course guide leads middle school students on an exciting journey as they explore matter, energy, chemistry, light, sound, electricity, magnetism and other topics related to the physical sciences. Weekly hands-on laboratory activities bring knowledge to life, and biographies of key scientists offer a historical and personal perspective. This course guide includes weekly schedules and reproducible notebooking pages. The primary text for the course is Science Explorer: Physical Science textbook from Prentice-Hall. The Elements Of Science kit from Thames and Kosmos is the main laboratory resource. A variety of living books complete the study. (Note: Awakening Wonder: Physical Science is a course guide only, not a full curriculum package. The books and materials for the course must be purchased separately.)