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

Life Science:

Characteristics of Organisms

	Discuss the history of taxonomy.
	Identify the seven levels of taxonomy.
	Identify and explain the kingdoms and their phyla.
	Discuss the discovery of the cell.
	Define and identify parts of the structure of a cell.
	Describe the transport of materials within the cell.
	Describe the energy process involved within a cell.
	Identify the cell reproduction process.
	Identify the parts of animal cells.
	Explain the functions of the parts of animal cells.
	Identify the parts of plant cells.

	Explain the functions of the parts of plant cells.
	Identify cell parts using a microscope.
	Explain the process of diffusion as performed by cells.
	Describe cell respiration.
	Explain the role of plant cells in the photosynthesis process.
	Describe and give examples of cell division.
	Explain the organization of living things.
	Identify structures such as tissues, organs, and systems.
	Explain the relationships of cells, tissues, organs, and systems.
	Identify the major components and functions of the following human body systems: digestion, excretion, circulation, respiration, nervous, endocrine, and reproduction.
	Explain how different body systems interact to enhance growth and improve control and coordination (bones and muscles).
	Explain how different systems interact to combat disease.

Life Cycles and Heredity

	Describe the role of DNA and chromosomes in heredity.
	Describe the role of genes and reproduction in heredity.
	Differentiate between sexual and asexual reproduction.
	Describe the difference in roles genes play in sexual and asexual reproduction.
	Describe how organisms respond to internal or environmental stimuli.
	Differentiate between inherited traits and those that result from interactions with the environment.
	Explain the formation of fossils.
	Explain how fossils can support the theory of evolution of different species, such as the horse, the bird, or the human species.
	Describe the effects of adaptation and assimilation on a species’ evolution or extinction.
	Discuss the role of humans in the extinction of species due to habitat destruction or by extensive killing.

Organisms and Their Environment

	Describe the characteristics of an ecosystem and its related species.
	Demonstrate the relationship between organ systems, whole organisms, and ecosystems.
	Identify examples of symbiotic relationships within the animal kingdom.
	Demonstrate the effects of changes in resources and energy on populations and ecosystems.
	Explain the importance and dependence of the predator/prey interaction on the population of a species.
	Explain the role of lower-level organisms, such as fungi and bacteria, on the energy transfer process in the food web.
	Explain how rotting logs and decaying leaf matter are examples of recycled nutrients (carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle).
	Describe how organisms act as decomposers in the recycling of nutrients process.

	Describe photosynthesis process and energy involved.
	Explain how the presence of species is related to the presence of other species, (the disappearance of the American buffalo with the expansion of the West; the return of coyotes or beavers to a region as reforestation occurs).
	Explain the current theories that led to the extinction of dinosaurs and other prehistoric species.
	Describe how glaciations and long-term weather damage can affect ecosystems.
	Discuss the evolution of a new species.
	Investigate the time period necessary for evolution to occur.

Technology/Engineering:

Materials and Tools

Identify, explain, and demonstrate the safe use of appropriate measuring tools, hand tools, and power tools used to hold, lift, carry, fasten, and separate.

Identify, explain, and demonstrate the safe use of measuring tools, hand tools, and machines (band saw, drill press, sanders, hammer, screwdriver, pliers, tape measure, screws, nails, and other mechanical fasteners) by constructing a prototype of an engineering design.

Engineering Design Process

	Identify and explain the steps of the engineering process: identify the need or problem; research the problem; develop possible solutions; select the best possible solution(s); test and evaluate; communicate the solution(s); and redesign.
	Demonstrate methods of representing solutions to a design problem, (sketches, orthographic projections, and multi-view drawings).
	Identify appropriate materials, tools, and machines needed to construct a prototype of a given engineering design.
	Apply the five elements of a universal systems model: goal, inputs, processes, outputs, and feedback.

Describe and explain parts of a structure: foundation, flooring, decking, wall, and roofing system.

	Identify and describe three major types of bridges: arch, beam, truss, and suspension and their appropriate uses (site, span, resources, and load).
	Explain how the forces of tension, compression, torsion, bending, and shear affect the performance of bridges as the prototype is tested.
	Describe and explain the effects of loads and structural shapes on bridges.
	Identify and describe examples of adaptive or assistive devices (prosthetic devices, wheelchairs, eyeglasses, grab bars, hearing aids, lifts, and braces).
	Identify and describe adaptive and assistive bio-engineered products (food, bio-fuels, irradiation, and integrated pest management).

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.