Course Content
A. Science Practices and Tools
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A.03. Practice safe laboratory procedures and identify safety equipment.
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A.04. Explain the importance of accurate observation and data recording in scientific investigations.
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A.05. Design a simple experiment to test a hypothesis.
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A.01. Understand the steps of the scientific method.
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A.02. Identify common laboratory tools and their uses.
B. Designing Experiments
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B.01. Differentiate between independent and dependent variables.
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B.02. Identify the control group in an experiment.
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B.03. Formulate a testable question based on an observation.
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B.04. Design experiments to investigate specific questions using given materials.
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B.05. Analyze and interpret data from a simple experiment.
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B.06. Identify potential sources of error in experimental design.
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B.07. Explain the importance of replication in scientific experiments.
C. Engineering Practices
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C.01. Describe the steps in the engineering design process.
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C.02. Evaluate the effectiveness of different engineering solutions.
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C.03. Analyze data to compare engineering designs.
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C.04. Apply the engineering design process to solve a real-world problem.
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C.05. Explain the iterative nature of the engineering design process.
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C.06. Identify constraints and trade-offs in engineering design.
D. Density
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D.01. Define density, mass, and volume.
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D.02. Calculate density given mass and volume.
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D.03. Calculate mass or volume given density and one other variable.
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D.04. Explain the relationship between density and buoyancy.
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D.05. Apply the concept of density to solve real-world problems.
E. Atoms and Molecules
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E.01. Define atoms, elements, and molecules.
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E.02. Interpret chemical formulas and models to represent substances.
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E.03. Identify chemical formulas from ball-and-stick models.
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E.04. Describe the atomic composition of simple molecules.
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E.05. Classify substances as elements or compounds using chemical formulas and models.
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E.06. Explain the role of electrons in chemical bonding.
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E.07. Compare and contrast different types of chemical bonds.
F. Chemical Reactions
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F.01. Identify reactants and products in a chemical reaction.
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F.02. Balance simple chemical equations.
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F.03. Describe energy changes in chemical reactions (exothermic and endothermic).
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F.04. Differentiate between physical and chemical changes.
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F.05. Explain the law of conservation of mass in chemical reactions.
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F.06. Investigate the properties of common chemical reactions (e.g., soapmaking, food flavors).
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F.07. Predict the products of simple chemical reactions.
G. Force and Motion
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G.01. Define velocity, distance, and time.
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G.02. Calculate velocity, distance, or time given two of the variables.
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G.03. Define acceleration.
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G.04. Identify whether an object is accelerating.
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G.05. Explain how mass affects force and acceleration (Newton’s second law).
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G.06. Predict forces using Newton’s third law of motion.
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G.07. Explain the concept of inertia.
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G.08. Analyze the effects of collisions, including car safety features.
H. Kinetic and Potential Energy
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H.01. Define kinetic and potential energy.
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H.02. Identify examples of kinetic and potential energy.
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H.03. Explain the relationship between kinetic energy and velocity.
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H.04. Explain the relationship between potential energy and height.
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H.05. Describe energy transformations in real-world examples (e.g., roller coaster, bike ride).
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H.06. Apply the law of conservation of energy.
I. Electricity and Magnetism
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I.01. Describe electric forces and fields.
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I.02. Compare the magnitudes of magnetic forces.
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I.03. Explain the relationship between electricity and magnetism.
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I.04. Describe the properties of magnets.
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I.05. Explain how electric motors and generators work.
J. Thermal Energy
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J.01. Define thermal energy and heat.
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J.02. Predict heat flow between objects at different temperatures.
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J.03. Compare methods of thermal energy transfer (conduction, convection, radiation).
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J.04. Explain how temperature affects particle motion.
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J.05. Explain the concept of specific heat capacity.
K. Particle Motion and Energy
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K.01. Explain how particle motion affects temperature.
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K.02. Describe the relationship between particle motion and changes of state.
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K.03. Explain how particle motion affects gas pressure.
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K.04. Explain the kinetic theory of matter.
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K.05. Apply the concepts of particle motion to explain real-world phenomena.
L. Waves
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L.01. Distinguish between transverse and longitudinal waves.
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L.02. Define amplitude, wavelength, and frequency.
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L.03. Compare the energy of waves with different amplitudes and frequencies.
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L.04. Describe the transmission, reflection, and absorption of waves.
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L.05. Explain the properties of electromagnetic waves.
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L.06. Describe the applications of infrared and ultraviolet waves.
M. Solutions
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M.01. Define solution, solute, and solvent.
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M.02. Compare the concentrations of solutions.
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M.03. Explain the process of diffusion.
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M.04. Explain osmosis and its role in biological systems.
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M.05. Describe the factors that affect the rate of diffusion.
N. Classification and Scientific Names
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N.01. Describe the characteristics of different kingdoms.
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N.02. Identify common and scientific names of organisms.
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N.03. Explain the system of binomial nomenclature.
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N.04. Use dichotomous keys for organism classification.
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N.05. Explain the importance of classification in biology.
O. Biochemistry
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O.01. Describe the structure and function of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
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O.02. Explain the process of cellular respiration.
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O.03. Explain the role of enzymes in biological processes.
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O.04. Describe the structure of DNA and RNA.
P. Cells
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P.01. Describe the basic structure and function of cells.
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P.02. Identify the functions of plant cell parts.
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P.03. Identify the functions of animal cell parts.
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P.04. Compare plant and animal cells.
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P.05. Explain the process of cell division (mitosis).
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P.06. Describe the different types of cells found in the human body.
Q. Anatomy and Physiology
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Q.01. Describe the organization of the human body.
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Q.02. Explain the function of major organ systems.
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Q.03. Explain the concept of homeostasis.
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Q.04. Investigate how the nervous system produces phantom pain.
R. Genes to Traits
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R.01. Differentiate between inherited and acquired traits.
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R.02. Explain the concepts of genotype and phenotype.
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R.03. Explain the concepts of dominant and recessive alleles.
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R.04. Complete and interpret Punnett squares.
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R.05. Calculate probabilities of offspring genotypes and phenotypes using Punnett squares.
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R.06. Explain how genes code for proteins.
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R.07. Describe the effects of gene mutations on organisms.
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R.08. Explain how genes and the environment interact to affect traits.
S. Adaptations and Natural Selection
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S.01. Explain how animal behaviors can affect reproductive success.
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S.02. Explain the theory of natural selection.
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S.03. Calculate allele frequencies in a population.
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S.04. Explain the concept of genetic drift.
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S.05. Construct explanations of natural selection using evidence.
T. Fossils
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T.01. Compare fossils to modern organisms.
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T.02. Determine the relative ages of fossils in a rock sequence.
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T.03. Explain the fossil record.
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T.04. Explain how fossils are formed.
U. Plant Reproduction
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U.01. Describe the life cycles of angiosperms and conifers.
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U.02. Describe the life cycles of mosses and ferns.
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U.03. Explain the role of pollination in plant reproduction.
V. Photosynthesis
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V.01. Describe the process of photosynthesis.
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V.02. Identify the photosynthetic organism.
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V.03. Explain the importance of photosynthesis in ecosystems.
W. Ecosystems
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W.01. Define populations, communities, and ecosystems.
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W.02. Identify different types of ecosystems.
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W.03. Describe the interactions within ecosystems.
X. Ecological Interactions
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X.01. Explain how matter moves through food chains.
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X.02. Interpret food webs.
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X.03. Predict changes in populations based on food chain interactions.
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X.04. Classify symbiotic relationships (mutualism, commensalism, parasitism).
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X.05. Describe primary succession.
Y. Conservation
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Y.01. Identify problems related to coral reef biodiversity.
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Y.02. Evaluate solutions to conserve coral reefs.
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Y.03. Explain the importance of biodiversity.
Z. Natural Resources and Human Impacts
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Z.01. Evaluate claims about the use of groundwater.
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Z.02. Evaluate claims about the use of fossil fuels.
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Z.03. Describe the impact of human activities on natural resources.
AA. Rocks
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AA.01. Identify common rocks and minerals.
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AA.02. Explain the rock cycle.
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AA.03. Classify rocks as igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic.
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AA.04. Explain how rock layers form.
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AA.05. Interpret rock cycle diagrams.
BB. Earth’s Features
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BB.01. Label the layers of the Earth.
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BB.02. Label Earth features at tectonic plate boundaries.
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BB.03. Describe the types of tectonic plate boundaries.
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BB.04. Explain the theory of plate tectonics.
CC. Topographic Maps
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CC.01. Interpret topographic maps.
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CC.02. Determine elevation changes on topographic maps.
DD. Earth’s Systems and Cycles
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DD.01. Describe the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.
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DD.02. Interpret water cycle diagrams.
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DD.03. Explain the carbon cycle.
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DD.04. Describe the interactions between Earth’s systems.
EE. The Atmosphere
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EE.01. Describe the properties of air masses.
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EE.02. Compare different types of air masses.
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EE.03. Explain how air masses form.
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EE.04. Explain the greenhouse effect.
FF. Weather and Climate
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FF.01. Use data to describe climates.
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FF.02. Identify factors affecting climate (latitude, altitude, distance from ocean).
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FF.03. Explain the effect of surface ocean currents on climate.
GG. Natural Hazards
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GG.01. Analyze natural hazard maps.
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GG.02. Explain the causes and effects of different natural hazards.
HH. Astronomy
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HH.01. Analyze models of the Earth-Sun-Moon system.
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HH.02. Identify phases of the Moon.
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HH.03. Explain solar and lunar eclipses.
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HH.04. Explain the cause of seasons on Earth.
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HH.05. Analyze data to compare properties of planets.
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HH.06. Identify constellations.
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HH.07. Describe the structure of the universe.
II. Units and Measurement
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II.01. Choose appropriate customary units for distance, mass, and volume.
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II.02. Choose appropriate metric units for distance, mass, and volume.
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II.03. Estimate temperatures using appropriate scales.
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II.04. Abbreviate units of time, length, speed, and acceleration.
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II.05. Abbreviate units of temperature, mass, and volume.
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II.06. Abbreviate units of force, energy, and electricity.
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II.07. Convert between units within the same system (customary or metric).
