Course Content
A. Materials Science Basics
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A.01. Identify basic properties of common objects (e.g., color, shape, texture).
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A.02. Compare and contrast the properties of different objects.
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A.03. Identify materials used in everyday objects.
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A.04. Determine multiple materials within a single object.
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A.05. Classify materials based on their properties (e.g., hardness, flexibility).
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A.06. Explain how the properties of materials determine their uses.
B. States of Matter
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B.01. Identify matter as solid, liquid, or gas based on observable properties.
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B.02. Sort objects into categories based on their state of matter.
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B.03. Describe the characteristics of solids, liquids, and gases.
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B.04. Explain the particle theory of matter in relation to the three states.
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B.05. Predict changes in state of matter based on temperature changes.
C. Changes of State
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C.01. Identify common changes of state (e.g., melting, freezing, boiling).
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C.02. Explain changes of state using the particle model of matter.
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C.03. Interpret and draw simple change-of-state diagrams.
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C.04. Explain the role of heat energy in changes of state.
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C.05. Relate changes of state to everyday phenomena.
D. Heat and Thermal Energy
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D.01. Describe heat as the transfer of thermal energy.
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D.02. Predict the direction of heat flow between objects at different temperatures.
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D.03. Explain how temperature relates to thermal energy.
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D.04. Explain how thermal energy transfers via conduction, convection, and radiation (basic introduction).
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D.05. Describe the relationship between heat and temperature change.
E. Physical and Chemical Changes
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E.01. Identify examples of physical changes (e.g., changes in shape, size).
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E.02. Identify examples of chemical changes (e.g., burning, rusting).
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E.03. Differentiate between physical and chemical changes.
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E.04. Explain how physical changes can be reversed, while chemical changes typically cannot.
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E.05. Explain the conservation of matter in physical and chemical changes.
F. Mixtures
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F.01. Identify mixtures and explain that they are combinations of different substances.
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F.02. Give examples of homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures.
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F.03. Explain how to separate components of a mixture using simple techniques.
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F.04. Identify mixtures in everyday life.
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F.05. Describe the properties of mixtures compared to their components.
G. Force and Motion
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G.01. Identify pushes and pulls as forces.
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G.02. Describe how balanced forces affect motion (no change).
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G.03. Describe how unbalanced forces affect motion (change in motion).
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G.04. Explain how mass and force affect acceleration (basic introduction).
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G.05. Relate force, mass, and acceleration to Newton’s second law (basic conceptual understanding).
H. Light
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H.01. Explain how we see objects.
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H.02. Describe how light travels in straight lines.
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H.03. Explain how light interacts with matter (reflection, absorption).
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H.04. Describe the properties of light (e.g., color, intensity).
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H.05. Explain how shadows are formed.
I. Electricity
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I.01. Introduce static electricity and charged objects.
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I.02. Explain how static electricity is generated.
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I.03. Describe the behavior of charged objects (attraction and repulsion).
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I.04. Give examples of static electricity in everyday life.
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I.05. Explain the concept of electric current (basic introduction).
J. Magnets
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J.01. Identify magnets and their poles.
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J.02. Describe the attraction and repulsion between magnets.
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J.03. Compare the strengths of different magnets.
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J.04. Explain the magnetic field around a magnet.
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J.05. Describe uses of magnets in everyday life.
K. Classification of Living Things
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K.01. Identify living and nonliving things.
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K.02. Differentiate between plants and animals.
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K.03. Identify common animal groups (mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians).
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K.04. Identify vertebrates and invertebrates.
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K.05. Explain the importance of classification systems in biology.
L. Animal Life Cycles and Behavior
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L.01. Read and interpret animal life cycle diagrams.
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L.02. Construct animal life cycle diagrams.
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L.03. Compare and contrast the life cycles of different animals.
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L.04. Explain the benefits of group behavior in animals (using provided examples).
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L.05. Identify basic needs of animals.
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L.06. Identify major human body systems and their functions (basic introduction).
M. Plant Life Cycles and Structures
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M.01. Classify fruits and vegetables as plant parts.
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M.02. Identify major plant parts (roots, stem, leaves, flowers) and their functions.
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M.03. Explain how plants make food through photosynthesis (basic introduction).
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M.04. Read and construct flowering plant life cycle diagrams.
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M.05. Explain how flowering plants reproduce (basic introduction).
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M.06. Describe the importance of plants in ecosystems.
N. Traits and Inheritance
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N.01. Observe and compare traits in organisms.
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N.02. Explain that traits are passed from parents to offspring (heredity).
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N.03. Differentiate between inherited and acquired traits.
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N.04. Interpret simple pedigree charts (plant and animal).
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N.05. Explain the role of genes in determining traits (basic introduction).
O. Adaptations
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O.01. Introduce the concept of adaptation.
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O.02. Identify examples of animal adaptations (beaks, mouths, necks, feet, limbs, coverings).
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O.03. Explain how adaptations help animals survive in their environment.
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O.04. Describe how adaptations can be structural, behavioral, or physiological.
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O.05. Give examples of plant adaptations.
P. Heredity
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P.01. Match offspring to parents based on inherited traits.
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P.02. Identify inherited and acquired traits.
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P.03. Use evidence to support statements about inherited and acquired traits.
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P.04. Read and interpret simple pedigree charts (plant and animal).
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P.05. Explain the concept of dominant and recessive traits (basic introduction).
Q. Ecosystems
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Q.01. Identify different types of ecosystems.
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Q.02. Describe the components of an ecosystem (organisms and their environment).
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Q.03. Identify the roles of organisms in food chains (producer, consumer, decomposer).
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Q.04. Describe the flow of matter in food chains.
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Q.05. Interpret simple food webs.
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Q.06. Explain the concept of biodiversity.
R. Rocks and Minerals
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R.01. Classify rocks and minerals based on observable properties (color, shape, texture).
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R.02. Identify common minerals using their properties.
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R.03. Identify common rocks using their properties.
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R.04. Classify rocks as igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic.
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R.05. Describe the rock cycle (basic introduction).
S. Fossils
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S.01. Introduce the concept of fossils.
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S.02. Compare fossils to modern organisms.
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S.03. Compare ancient and modern organisms and use observations to support hypotheses about changes over time.
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S.04. Explain how fossils provide evidence of past life.
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S.05. Describe how fossils are formed (basic introduction).
T. Weather and Climate
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T.01. Read and interpret a thermometer.
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T.02. Compare temperatures from different thermometers.
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T.03. Collect and graph temperature data.
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T.04. Distinguish between weather and climate.
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T.05. Describe weather and climate patterns in different locations.
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T.06. Use data to make predictions about weather and climate.
U. Earth’s Features
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U.01. Identify bodies of water (oceans, lakes, rivers).
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U.02. Describe the distribution of water on Earth.
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U.03. Identify natural resources.
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U.04. Identify and describe Earth’s land features (mountains, plains, valleys).
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U.05. Explain the processes that shape Earth’s surface (basic introduction).
V. Earth Events
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V.01. Classify changes to Earth’s surface (earthquakes, volcanoes, erosion).
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V.02. Find evidence of changes to Earth’s surface.
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V.03. Explain how earthquakes, volcanoes, and erosion change Earth’s surface.
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V.04. Describe the causes of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions (basic introduction).
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V.05. Describe the effects of erosion on landscapes.
W. Engineering Design Process
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W.01. Solve problems using magnets.
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W.02. Evaluate multiple design solutions to prevent erosion.
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W.03. Evaluate multiple design solutions to prevent flooding.
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W.04. Identify the best design solution to prevent hurricane damage.
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W.05. Explain the importance of testing and iteration in engineering.
X. Measurement
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X.01. Choose appropriate units of time.
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X.02. Choose appropriate customary units of distance.
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X.03. Choose appropriate metric units of distance.
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X.04. Abbreviate units of time and length.
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X.05. Abbreviate units of mass and volume.
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X.06. Convert between units within the same measurement system (e.g., inches to feet).
Y. Astronomy
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Y.01. Identify the planets in the solar system.
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Y.02. Describe the relative positions of the planets in the solar system.
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Y.03. Explain the difference between a star and a planet.
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Y.04. Describe the sun’s importance to the solar system.
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Y.05. Identify Earth’s position in the solar system.
