Unifying Concepts and Processes
Systems,
Order, & Organization
Laws of force, motion, classification of organisms, planetary motion.
Evidence,
Models, Explanation
Prediction, probability, hypotheses, models, laws.
Constancy,
Change, Measurement
Rate, scale, patterns, trends, cycles.
Evolution
& Equilibrium
Changes in environment, populations, ecosystems, conservation of energy, natural- and
human- induced hazards.
Form &
Function
Diversity and adaptation of organisms, interaction of energy and matter, behavior of
organisms.
Science as
Inquiry
Identify questions and concepts
that guide scientific investigation.
Design and conduct scientific
investigation.
Use technology and mathematics to
improve investigation and communication.
Formulate and revise scientific
explanations and models using logic and evidence |
Content
Earth/Space Science:
Structure of the Earth System
 | Identify and interpret features of
contour maps. |
| Discuss and compare aerial
photographs and topographic maps to show relationship between the earth's surface and
features on the maps. |
| Develop contour maps based on a
topographical model and visa versa. |
| Identify and describe the layers in
the earth's structure. |
| Identify common examples of
conduction, convection, and radiation. |
| Identify various ways that energy
enters and leaves the earth system. |
| Identify global patterns of
atmospheric movement that influence local weather.Explain how the atmosphere, land, and
water transfer energy to effect changes in temperature. |
Earth's History
| Explain how movement of the earth's
crustal plates results in changes of the earth's topography over a period of time
(formation of mountains and ocean basins - a slow process; earthquakes and volcanic
eruptions - a fast process). |
| Compare past and present factors
that have caused erosion, plate movement (tectonics), and changes in the atmosphere of the
earth. |
| Compare/contrast the effects of
erosion on rocks, landforms, and plants. |
| Describe the interaction of
constructive and destructive forces that create landforms. |
| Relate weather, chemical reaction,
and plate motion stages of the rock cycle. |
| Describe how fossils provide
evidence of life and environmental conditions in the past. |
| Explain how living things have
changed or evolved over geologic time. |
Earth in the Solar System
| Describe and discuss the concept of
gravity. |
| Describe the role of gravity as a
force. Explain how gravity governs motion and keeps planets in orbit. |
| Describe the role of gravity in the
formation of objects in the solar system. |
| Relate tides to moon and earth
movements. |
| Relate the regular and predictable
motion of the earth and its moon in the solar system to solar and lunar eclipses. |
| Discuss and compare shape, size, and
period of orbit of each planet in our solar system as it relates to the planet's location
relative to the sun. |
| Discuss and compare the length of a
day and of a year of each planet in our solar system as it relates to the planet's
location relative to the sun. |
| Discuss and compare the temperature
and atmosphere of each planet in our solar system as it relates to the planet's location
relative to the sun. |
| Discuss and compare the force of
gravity on each planet in our solar system as it relates to the planet's size (mass and
diameter). |
| Relate the axis/tilt of the earth's
rotation and revolution to the seasons. |
| Describe how the sun and the tilt of
the earth on its axis create changes in the earth's surface: plant growth, wind,
ocean current, and the water cycle. |
| Discuss and explain the composition
of the universe. |
| Discuss and explain the composition
of a galaxy. |
| Discuss the magnitude of our solar
system to the Milky Way galaxy and the universe. |
Technology/Engineering:
Materials and Tools
| Given a task, identify appropriate
materials (wood, paper, plastic, aggregates, ceramics, metals, solvents, and adhesives)
based on scientific properties and conduct tests form some material characteristics
(weight, strength, hardness, and flexibility). |
| Use a variety of tools and materials
to find the solution to a design problem. |
Engineering
Design Process
| Introduce the steps of the
engineering design process: Identify the need or problem, research the problem,
develop possible solutions, select the best possible solution(s), construct a prototype,
test and evaluate, communicate the solution(s), and redesign. |
| Describe and communicate the purpose
of a given prototype that has been constructed by the student. |
| Introduce and explain the five
elements of universal systems model: goal, inputs, processes, outputs, and feedback. |
| Identify and compare examples of
transportation systems and vehicles that operate on land, air, water, and space. |
| Given a transportation problem,
design and construct a possible solution using the design process. |
| Identify and describe three
subsystems of a transportation vehicle or device (structural, propulsion, guidance,
suspension, control, and support). |
| Identify lift, drag, friction,
thrust, and gravity and explain how these forces affect vehicles or devices (cars, boats,
airplanes, and rockets). |
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Science Applications
Identify a problem or design an opportunity.
Propose designs and choose between
alternative solutions.
Implement a proposed solution.
Evaluate the solution and its proposed
consequences.
Communicate the problem, process, and
solution.
Science: Personal
& Social Perspectives
Personal and community health.
Population growth.
Natural resources.
Environmental quality.
Natural- and Human-induced hazards.
History and Nature of Science
Science as Human Endeavor
Requiring reasoning, insight, energy, skill, and creativity, as well as habits of mind,
i.e., intellectual honesty, tolerance of ambiguity, skepticism, and openness to new ideas.
Nature of
Scientific Knowledge
Including evaluation of experiments, observations, theoretical models, proposed
explanations, evidence, reasoning, and alternate conclusions.
Historical
Perspectives
Including the study of famous scientists and discoveries. |