Course Content
A. Science Practices and Tools
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A.01. Identify basic laboratory safety procedures.
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A.02. Recognize common laboratory tools and their uses.
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A.03. Understand the steps involved in scientific inquiry.
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A.04. Design a simple experiment to test a hypothesis.
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A.05. Interpret data collected from a scientific investigation.
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A.06. Communicate scientific findings clearly and concisely.
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A.07. Apply critical thinking skills to evaluate scientific claims.
B. Designing Experiments
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B.01. Identify the experimental question in a given scenario.
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B.02. Distinguish between independent and dependent variables.
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B.03. Define and identify control and experimental groups.
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B.04. Design an experiment to test a specific hypothesis, including materials and procedure.
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B.05. Analyze and interpret experimental data to draw conclusions.
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B.06. Evaluate the validity and reliability of experimental designs.
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B.07. Understand experimental protocols related to various scientific concepts (e.g., plant growth, diffusion).
C. Matter and Mass
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C.01. Define and understand the concept of density.
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C.02. Calculate density using the appropriate formula.
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C.03. Explain the principle of conservation of matter.
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C.04. Interpret graphs representing conservation of matter.
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C.05. Apply the concept of density to solve real-world problems.
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C.06. Differentiate between mass and weight.
D. Atoms and Molecules
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D.01. Define atom and chemical element.
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D.02. Identify common chemical elements and their symbols.
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D.03. Interpret and create simple chemical formulas.
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D.04. Match chemical formulas to ball-and-stick models.
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D.05. Describe the atomic composition of simple molecules.
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D.06. Classify substances as elements or compounds using chemical formulas and models.
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D.07. Explain the relationship between chemical formulas and molecular structures.
E. Chemical Reactions
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E.01. Identify reactants and products in a chemical reaction.
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E.02. Count atoms and molecules in balanced chemical equations.
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E.03. Describe basic types of chemical reactions (e.g., synthesis, decomposition).
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E.04. Explain energy changes in chemical reactions (exothermic/endothermic).
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E.05. Differentiate between physical and chemical changes.
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E.06. Analyze and interpret chemical reactions in everyday contexts (e.g., soapmaking, food flavors).
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E.07. Understand the concept of synthetic materials and their applications.
F. Force and Motion
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F.01. Calculate speed, distance, or time given two of the variables.
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F.02. Define and understand acceleration.
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F.03. Identify whether objects are accelerating or moving at a constant speed.
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F.04. Explain Newton’s laws of motion and apply them to simple scenarios.
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F.05. Relate mass, force, and acceleration using Newton’s second law.
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F.06. Describe the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on motion.
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F.07. Analyze scenarios involving collisions and car safety features.
G. Kinetic and Potential Energy
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G.01. Define kinetic and potential energy.
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G.02. Identify examples of kinetic and potential energy in everyday situations.
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G.03. Explain the relationship between potential and kinetic energy.
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G.04. Describe how changes in gravitational potential energy affect kinetic energy.
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G.05. Interpret tables and graphs showing energy transformations.
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G.06. Analyze energy transformations in real-world examples (e.g., roller coaster, bicycle).
H. Electricity and Magnetism
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H.01. Describe basic properties of electric forces and fields.
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H.02. Explain the concept of magnetic force.
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H.03. Compare the magnitudes of magnetic forces in different scenarios.
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H.04. Describe the relationship between electricity and magnetism.
I. Thermal Energy
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I.01. Define thermal energy and temperature.
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I.02. Explain heat flow and temperature changes.
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I.03. Describe how temperature and mass relate to thermal energy.
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I.04. Compare different methods of thermal energy transfer (conduction, convection, radiation).
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I.05. Relate thermal energy to particle motion.
J. Particle Motion and Energy
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J.01. Explain how particle motion affects temperature.
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J.02. Describe the relationship between particle motion and changes of state.
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J.03. Explain how particle motion affects gas pressure.
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J.04. Relate particle motion to properties of matter (e.g., density, viscosity).
K. Waves
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K.01. Identify and differentiate between transverse and longitudinal waves.
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K.02. Define amplitude, wavelength, and frequency.
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K.03. Compare the energy of waves with different amplitudes and frequencies.
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K.04. Explain wave phenomena, including transmission, reflection, and absorption.
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K.05. Describe the properties of electromagnetic waves.
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K.06. Explain the applications of infrared waves.
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K.07. Describe the effects of ultraviolet waves on living organisms.
L. Solutions
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L.01. Define solution and concentration.
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L.02. Compare concentrations of solutions using different methods (e.g., molarity, percent concentration).
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L.03. Explain the process of diffusion.
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L.04. Describe diffusion across membranes.
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L.05. Explain how factors affect the rate of diffusion.
M. Classification and Scientific Names
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M.01. Describe the major kingdoms of living organisms.
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M.02. Identify common and scientific names of organisms.
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M.03. Explain the system of binomial nomenclature.
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M.04. Use scientific names to classify organisms.
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M.05. Explain the importance of scientific names in biology.
N. Biochemistry
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N.01. Identify the four major classes of biological macromolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
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N.02. Describe the basic structure and function of each macromolecule.
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N.03. Explain the role of enzymes in biochemical reactions.
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N.04. Understand the basic chemistry of cellular respiration.
O. Cells
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O.01. Describe the basic structure and function of cells.
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O.02. Identify the major parts of plant and animal cells and their functions.
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O.03. Compare and contrast plant and animal cells.
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O.04. Label diagrams of plant and animal cells.
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O.05. Explain the process of cell division.
P. Anatomy and Physiology
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P.01. Describe the levels of organization in the human body.
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P.02. Identify the major body systems and their functions.
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P.03. Explain how different body systems work together.
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P.04. Understand the basics of human anatomy and physiology.
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P.05. Explore specific body systems (e.g., circulation, respiration, digestion, waste removal, perception and motion).
Q. Genes to Traits
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Q.01. Distinguish between inherited and acquired traits.
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Q.02. Define genotype and phenotype.
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Q.03. Define dominant and recessive alleles.
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Q.04. Complete and interpret Punnett squares.
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Q.05. Use Punnett squares to predict offspring genotypes and phenotypes.
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Q.06. Explain the relationship between genes, proteins, and traits.
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Q.07. Describe the effects of gene mutations.
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Q.08. Understand how genes and the environment interact to affect traits.
R. Adaptations and Natural Selection
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R.01. Define adaptation and natural selection.
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R.02. Explain how adaptations contribute to reproductive success.
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R.03. Identify evidence supporting natural selection.
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R.04. Calculate allele frequencies in a population.
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R.05. Construct explanations of natural selection in various scenarios.
S. Fossils
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S.01. Define fossil and describe different types of fossils.
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S.02. Compare fossils to modern organisms.
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S.03. Interpret the age of fossils in a rock sequence.
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S.04. Explain the fossil record and its importance.
T. Plant Reproduction
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T.01. Describe the life cycles of flowering plants and conifers.
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T.02. Describe the life cycles of mosses and ferns.
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T.03. Compare and contrast different plant reproductive strategies.
U. Photosynthesis
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U.01. Explain the process of photosynthesis.
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U.02. Identify the reactants and products of photosynthesis.
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U.03. Describe the role of chlorophyll in photosynthesis.
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U.04. Explain how plants use and change energy.
V. Ecosystems
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V.01. Define population, community, and ecosystem.
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V.02. Identify different types of ecosystems.
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V.03. Describe the characteristics of various ecosystems.
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V.04. Explain the interactions between organisms within an ecosystem.
W. Ecological Interactions
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W.01. Describe the flow of matter in food chains.
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W.02. Interpret food webs.
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W.03. Use food chains to predict population changes.
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W.04. Classify symbiotic relationships.
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W.05. Describe the process of primary succession.
X. Conservation
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X.01. Identify threats to biodiversity.
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X.02. Evaluate solutions for conservation issues.
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X.03. Discuss the importance of conservation.
Y. Natural Resources and Human Impacts
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Y.01. Evaluate claims about natural resource use.
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Y.02. Discuss sustainable practices for natural resources.
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Y.03. Analyze human impact on natural resources.
Z. Rocks
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Z.01. Identify common rocks and minerals.
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Z.02. Describe the rock cycle.
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Z.03. Classify rocks based on their formation.
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Z.04. Explain how rock layers form.
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Z.05. Interpret rock cycle diagrams.
AA. Earth’s Features
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AA.01. Identify Earth’s layers and their characteristics.
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AA.02. Identify Earth’s land features.
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AA.03. Describe tectonic plate boundaries and their effects.
BB. Topographic Maps
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BB.01. Interpret topographic maps.
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BB.02. Identify features on topographic maps.
CC. Earth’s Systems and Cycles
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CC.01. Describe Earth’s major systems (geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere).
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CC.02. Explain the water cycle.
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CC.03. Describe the carbon cycle.
DD. The Atmosphere
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DD.01. Describe the properties of air masses.
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DD.02. Explain how air masses form.
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DD.03. Explain the greenhouse effect.
EE. Weather and Climate
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EE.01. Distinguish between weather and climate.
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EE.02. Identify factors that affect climate.
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EE.03. Interpret data on climate.
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EE.04. Analyze the effects of surface ocean currents on climate.
FF. Natural Hazards
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FF.01. Identify and describe common natural hazards.
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FF.02. Interpret natural hazard maps.
GG. Astronomy
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GG.01. Describe the Earth-Sun-Moon system.
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GG.02. Identify constellations.
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GG.03. Identify phases of the moon.
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GG.04. Explain solar and lunar eclipses.
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GG.05. Explain the causes of Earth’s seasons.
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GG.06. Compare the properties of planets.
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GG.07. Understand the structure of the universe.
HH. Units and Measurement
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HH.01. Identify and use customary units of measurement.
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HH.02. Identify and use metric units of measurement.
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HH.03. Convert between units of measurement.
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HH.04. Estimate and measure various quantities using appropriate units.
