Organisms and environments. The student knows that interdependence occurs among living systems and the environment and that human activities can affect these systems. The student is expected to: (A) describe producer/consumer, predator/prey, and parasite/host relationships as they occur in food webs within marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems; (B) investigate how organisms and populations in an […]

Earth and space. The student knows that climatic interactions exist among Earth, ocean, and weather systems. The student is expected to: (A) recognize that the Sun provides the energy that drives convection within the atmosphere and oceans, producing winds and ocean currents; (B) identify how global patterns of atmospheric movement influence local weather using weather […]

Earth and space. The student knows that natural events can impact Earth systems. The student is expected to: (A) describe the historical development of evidence that supports plate tectonic theory; (B) relate plate tectonics to the formation of crustal features; and (C) interpret topographic maps and satellite views to identify land and erosional features and […]

Earth and space. The student knows characteristics of the universe. The student is expected to: (A) describe components of the universe, including stars, nebulae, and galaxies, and use models such as the Herztsprung-Russell diagram for classification; (B) recognize that the Sun is a medium-sized star near the edge of a disc-shaped galaxy of stars and […]

Earth and space. The student knows the effects resulting from cyclical movements of the Sun, Earth, and Moon. The student is expected to: (A) model and illustrate how the tilted Earth rotates on its axis, causing day and night, and revolves around the Sun causing changes in seasons; (B) demonstrate and predict the sequence of […]

Force, motion, and energy. The student knows that there is a relationship between force, motion, and energy. The student is expected to: (A) demonstrate and calculate how unbalanced forces change the speed or direction of an object’s motion; (B) differentiate between speed, velocity, and acceleration; and (C) investigate and describe applications of Newton’s law of […]

Matter and energy. The student knows that matter is composed of atoms and has chemical and physical properties. The student is expected to: (A) describe the structure of atoms, including the masses, electrical charges, and locations, of protons and neutrons in the nucleus and electrons in the electron cloud; (B) identify that protons determine an […]

Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student knows how to use a variety of tools and safety equipment to conduct science inquiry. The student is expected to: (A) use appropriate tools to collect, record, and analyze information, including lab journals/notebooks, beakers, meter sticks, graduated cylinders, anemometers, psychrometers, hot plates, test tubes, spring scales, balances, microscopes, thermometers, […]

Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student uses critical thinking, scientific reasoning, and problem solving to make informed decisions and knows the contributions of relevant scientists. The student is expected to: (A) in all fields of science, analyze, evaluate, and critique scientific explanations by using empirical evidence, logical reasoning, and experimental and observational testing, including examining […]

Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student uses scientific inquiry methods during laboratory and field investigations. The student is expected to: (A) plan and implement comparative and descriptive investigations by making observations, asking well-defined questions, and using appropriate equipment and technology; (B) design and implement comparative and experimental investigations by making observations, asking well-defined questions, formulating […]