The student materials for seventh grade in the Intermediate Science Curriculum Study program are in two volumes: the core chapters and the supplementary excursions. The excursions are departures from the core and are designed for three distinct purposes: (1) to provide more challenging materials for especially interested or talented students, (2) to develop items of general interest, and (3) to give remedial help to those needing it. A numbering system is used to tie each excursion to a specific chapter in the core volume. The format for the excursions is similar to the core chapters in that it follows a story line and drawings and diagrams are appropriately used to help convey ideas and directions to students. (BR)