The focus is the same: physical science, which is a very broad category. This course now has 15 modules, rather than 16. 

Below is a summary of the contents of the 3rd Edition:

Module 1: Review of some of the basics that were covered in several modules of General Science 3rd edition; scientific method, making observations, hypotheses, analyzing data, and measuring

Modules 2-5: Chemistry concepts – this is much more content than the one partial module in 2nd edition.

Modules 6-11: Physics concepts – many of these are covered in the 2nd edition.

Modules 12-13: Earth science including Earth’s structure, weathering, and the atmosphere. There is much less content about weather and the atmosphere in the 3rd edition.

Module 14: Chemistry and Physics in the Life Sciences

Module 15: Physical Science Research

Some of the topics covered are similar to the older editions, but the text has been completely redesigned. It was designed to flow well with General Science 3rd edition, making a logical progression for middle school students. In this new edition, there is more emphasis on chemistry and less on weather. It is more of an integrated chemistry and physics course, which will help prepare students with a foundation in these two areas for high school courses.

We have also transitioned to softcover for our 7th-12th grade science textbooks.

The components of the new 3rd edition course are not compatible with the 2nd edition.