2026 Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Science

Students will demonstrate an understanding of how humans use Earth’s resources.

Participate in a teacher-led activity to gather, organize, and record recyclable materials data on a chart or table usin...

With teacher guidance, develop questions to conduct a structured investigation to determine ways to conserve Earth's res...

Create a product from reused materials that will meet a human need (e.g., pencil holder, musical instrument, bird feeder...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the pattern of seasonal changes on the Earth.

Construct an explanation of the pattern of the Earth's seasonal changes in the environment using evidence from observati...

Students will demonstrate an understanding that the Sun provides the Earth with heat and light.

With teacher guidance, generate and answer questions to develop a simple model, which describes observable patterns of s...

With teacher guidance, develop questions to conduct a structured investigation to determine how sunlight affects the tem...

Develop a device (i.e., umbrella, shade structure, or hat) which would reduce heat from the sun (temperature). Use an en...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of living and non-living things.

With teacher guidance, conduct an investigation of living organisms and non-living objects in various real-world environ...

With teacher support, gain an understanding that scientists are humans who use observations to learn about the natural w...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of how animals (including humans) use their physical features and their sense...

Develop and use models to exemplify how animals use their body parts to (a) obtain food and other resources, (b) protect...

Identify and describe examples of how animals use their sensory body parts (eyes to detect light and movement, ears to d...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of how living things change in form as they go through the general stages of ...

Use informational text or other media to make observations about plants as they change during the life cycle (e.g., germ...

Construct explanations using observations to describe and model the life cycle (birth, growth, adulthood, death) of a fa...

With teacher guidance, conduct a structured investigation to observe and measure (comparison of lengths) the changes in ...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of what animals and plants need to live and grow.

With teacher guidance, conduct a structured investigation to determine what plants need to live and grow (water, light, ...

Construct explanations using observations to describe and report what animals need to live and grow (food, water, shelte...

Students will demonstrate an understanding that some groups of plants and animals

Obtain information from informational text or other media to document and report examples of different plants or animals...

Observe and report how some present-day animals resemble extinct animals (i.e., elephants resemble woolly mammoths).

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the solid and liquid states of matter.

Generate questions and investigate the differences between liquids and solids and develop awareness that a liquid can be...

Describe and compare the properties of different materials (e.g., wood, plastic, metal, cloth, paper) and classify these...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of how solid objects can be constructed from a smaller set.

Use basic shapes and spatial reasoning to model large objects in the environment using a set of small objects (e.g., blo...

Analyze a large composite structure to describe its smaller components using drawing and writing.

Explain why things may not work the same if some of the parts are missing.

Students will demonstrate an understanding of human dependence on clean and renewable water resources

Obtain and evaluate informational texts and other media to generate and answer questions about water sources and human u...

Communicate solutions that will reduce the impact of humans on the use and quality of water in the local environment.

Create a device that will collect free water to meet a human need (e.g., household drinking water, watering plants/anima...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the patterns of weather by describing, recording, and analyzing weather da...

Analyze and interpret data from observations and measurements to describe local weather conditions (including temperatur...

Develop and use models to predict weather conditions associated with seasonal patterns and changes.

Construct an explanation for the general pattern of change in daily temperatures by measuring and calculating the differ...

Obtain and communicate information about severe weather conditions to explain why certain safety precautions are necessa...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of models (drawings or maps) to describe how water and land are distributed o...

Locate, classify, and describe bodies of water (oceans, rivers, lakes, and ponds) on the Earth's surface using maps, glo...

Generate and answer questions to explain the patterns and location of frozen and liquid bodies of water on earth using m...

With teacher guidance, plan and conduct a structured investigation to determine how the movement of water can change the...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the basic needs and structures of plants.

Construct explanations using first-hand observations or other media to describe the structures of different plants (i.e....

Obtain information from informational text and other media to describe the function of each plant part (roots absorb wat...

Design and conduct an experiment that shows the absorption of water and how it is transported through the plant. Report ...

Create a model which explains the function of each plant structure (roots, stem, leaves, petals, flowers, seeds).

With teacher support, gain an understanding that scientists are humans who use observations and experiments to learn abo...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of how living things change in form as they go through the general stages of ...

Investigate, using observations and measurements (non-standard units), flowering plants (pumpkins, peas, marigolds, or s...

Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information through labeled drawings, the life cycle (egg, larva, pupa, adult) of poll...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of what plants need from the environment for growth and repair.

Conduct structured investigations to make and test predictions about what plants need to live, grow, and repair includin...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the interdependence of flowering plants and pollinating insects.

Identify the body parts of a pollinating insect (e.g., bee, butterfly) and describe how insects use these parts to gathe...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the ways plants adapt to their environment in order to survive.

Explore the cause-and-effect relationship between plant adaptations and environmental changes (i.e., leaves turning towa...

Describe how the different characteristics of plants help them to survive in distinct environments (e.g., rain forest, d...

Create a solution to an agricultural problem (i.e., pollination, seed dispersal, overcrowding). Use an engineering desig...

Students will demonstrate an understanding that light is required to make objects visible.

Construct explanations using first-hand observations or other media to describe how reflected light makes an object visi...

Use evidence from observations to explain how shadows form and change with the position of the light source. * (Just for...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of sound.

Conduct an investigation to provide evidence that vibrations create sound (e.g., pluck a guitar string) and that sound c...

Create a device that uses light and/or sound to communicate over a distance (e.g., signal lamp with a flashlight). Use a...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of how humans use Earth’s resources.

Use informational text, other media, and first-hand observations to investigate, analyze, and compare the properties of ...

Conduct an investigation to identify and classify everyday objects that are resources from the Earth (e.g., drinking wat...

Use informational text and other media to summarize and communicate how Earth materials are used (e.g., soil and water t...

Use informational text, other media, and first-hand observations to investigate and communicate the process and conseque...

With teacher guidance, investigate possible solutions to prevent or repair soil erosion.

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the appearance, movements, and patterns of the sun, moon, and stars.

Recognize that there are many stars that can be observed in the night sky and the Sun is the Earth’s closest star.

With teacher guidance, observe, describe, and predict the seasonal patterns of sunrise and sunset. Collect, represent, a...

Observe and compare the details in images of the moon and planets using the perspective of the naked eye, telescopes, an...

With teacher support, gain an understanding that scientists are humans who use observations and experiments to learn abo...

Use informational text and other media to observe, describe, and predict the visual patterns of motion of the Sun (sunri...

Create a model that will demonstrate the observable pattern of motion of the Sun or Moon. Use an engineering design proc...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the classification of animals based on physical characteristics.

Compare and sort groups of animals with backbones (vertebrates) from groups of animals without backbones (invertebrates)...

Classify vertebrates (mammals, fish, birds, amphibians, and reptiles) based on their physical characteristics.

Compare and contrast physical characteristics that distinguish between classes of vertebrates (i.e., reptiles compared t...

Construct a scientific argument for classifying vertebrates that have unusual characteristics, such as bats, penguins, s...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of how living things change in form as they go through the general stages of ...

Use observations through informational texts and other media to observe the different stages of the life cycle of trees ...

Construct explanations using first-hand observations or other media to describe the life cycle of an amphibian (birth, g...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the interdependence of living things and the environment in which they liv...

Evaluate and communicate findings from informational text or other media to describe how animals change and respond to r...

Construct scientific arguments to explain how animals can make major changes (e.g., beaver dams obstruct streams, or lar...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the interdependence of living things.

Evaluate and communicate findings from informational text or other media to describe and to compare how animals interact...

Conduct an investigation to find evidence where plants and animals compete or cooperate with other plants and animals fo...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the ways animals adapt to their environment in order to survive.

Evaluate and communicate findings from informational text or other media to describe how plants and animals use adaptati...

Create a solution exemplified by animal adaptations to solve a human problem in a specific environment (e.g., snowshoes ...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the properties of matter.

Conduct a structured investigation to collect, represent, and analyze categorical data to classify matter as solid, liqu...

Compare and measure the length of solid objects using technology and mathematical representations. Analyze and communica...

Compare the weight of solid objects and the volume of liquid objects. Analyze and communicate findings.

Construct scientific arguments to support claims that some changes to matter caused by heating can be reversed, and some...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of how the motion of objects is affected by pushes, pulls, and friction on an...

Conduct a structured investigation to collect, represent, and analyze data from observations and measurements to demonst...

Generate and answer questions about the relationship between (1) friction and the motion of objects and (2) friction and...

Develop a plan to change the force (push or pull) of friction to solve a human problem (e.g., improve the ride on a play...

Students will demonstrate an understanding that all materials, energy, and fuels that humans use are derived from natura...

Identify some of Earth's resources that are used in everyday life such as water, wind, soil, forests, oil, natural gas, ...

Obtain and communicate information to exemplify how humans attain, use, and protect renewable and nonrenewable Earth res...

Use maps and historical information to identify natural resources in the state connecting (a) how resources are used for...

Design a process for cleaning a polluted environment (e.g., simulating an oil spill in the ocean or a flood in a city an...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the various processes involved in the rock cycle, superposition of rock la...

Plan and conduct controlled scientific investigations to identify the processes involved in forming the three major type...

Develop and use models to demonstrate the processes involved in the development of various rock formations, including su...

Ask questions to generate testable hypotheses regarding the formation and location of fossil types, including their pres...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the composition of Earth and the processes which change Earth's landforms.

Obtain and evaluate scientific information (e.g. using technology) to describe the four major layers of Earth and the va...

Develop and use models to describe the characteristics of Earth's continental landforms and classify landforms as volcan...

Develop and use models of weathering, erosion, and deposition processes which explain the appearance of various Earth fe...

Compare and contrast constructive (e.g., deposition, volcano) and destructive (e.g., weathering, erosion, earthquake) pr...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of how the Earth’s systems (i.e., geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and bio...

Develop models to communicate the characteristics of the Earth's major systems, including the geosphere, hydrosphere, at...

Construct explanations of how different landforms and surface features result from the location and movement of water on...

Use graphical representations to communicate the distribution of freshwater and saltwater on Earth (e.g., oceans, lakes,...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of internal and external structures in plants and animals and how they relate...

Examine evidence to communicate information that the internal and external structures of animals (e.g., heart, stomach, ...

Examine evidence to communicate information that the internal and external structures of plants (e.g., thorns, leaves, s...

Obtain and communicate examples of physical features or behaviors of vertebrates and invertebrates and how these charact...

Students will demonstrate an understanding that through reproduction, the survival and physical features of plants and a...

Identify traits and describe how traits are passed from parent organism(s) to offspring in plants and animals.

Describe and provide examples of plant and animal offspring from a single parent organism (e.g., bamboo, fern, or starfi...

Describe and provide examples of offspring from two parent organisms as containing a combination of inherited traits fro...

Obtain and communicate data to provide evidence that plants and animals have traits inherited from both parent organisms...

Research to justify the concept that traits can be influenced by the environment (e.g., stunted growth in normally tall ...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of how adaptations allow animals to satisfy life needs and respond both physi...

Obtain data from informational text to explain how changes in habitats (both those that occur naturally and those caused...

Ask questions to predict how natural or human-caused changes in a habitat cause plants and animals to respond in differe...

Analyze and interpret data to explain how variations in characteristics among organisms of the same species may provide ...

Define and improve a solution to a problem created by environmental changes and any resulting impacts on the types of de...

Construct scientific arguments using evidence from fossils of plants and animals that lived long ago to infer the charac...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the physical properties of matter to explain why matter can change states ...

Plan and conduct scientific investigations to determine how changes in heat (i.e., an increase or decrease) change matte...

Develop and use models to communicate the concept that matter is made of particles too small to be seen that move freely...

Plan and conduct investigations that particles speed up or slow down with addition or removal of heat.

Students will demonstrate an understanding of magnets and the effects of pushes, pulls, and friction on the motion of ob...

Compare and contrast the effects of different strengths and directions of forces on the motion of an object (e.g., gravi...

Plan an experiment to investigate the relationship between a force applied to an object (e.g., friction, gravity) and re...

Research and communicate information to explain how magnets are used in everyday life.

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the various sources of energy used for human needs along with their effect...

Organize simple data sets to compare energy and pollution output of various traditional, non-renewable resources (e.g., ...

Use technology or informational text to investigate, evaluate, and communicate various forms of clean energy generation.

Students will demonstrate an understanding of how the water cycle is propelled by the sun's energy.

Develop and use models to explain how the sun's energy drives the water cycle. (e.g., evaporation, condensation, precipi...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of weather and climate patterns.

Analyze and interpret data (e.g., temperature, precipitation, wind speed/direction, relative humidity, or cloud types) t...

Construct explanations about regional climate differences using maps and long-term data from various regions.

Design weather instruments utilized to measure weather conditions (e.g., barometer, hygrometer, rain gauge, anemometer, ...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of how natural processes and human activities affect the features of Earth's ...

Analyze and interpret data to describe (i.e., NASA, NOAA, USGS) and predict how natural processes (e.g., weathering, ero...

Develop and use models of natural processes to explain the effect of the movement of water on the ocean shore zone, incl...

Construct scientific arguments from evidence to support claims that human activities, such as conservation efforts or po...

Research and explain how systems (i.e., the atmosphere, geosphere, and/or hydrosphere), interact and support life in the...

Obtain and communicate information about severe weather phenomena (e.g., thunderstorms, hurricanes, or tornadoes) to exp...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the organization, functions, and interconnections of the major human body ...

Use technology or other resources to research and discover general system function (e.g., machines, water cycle) as they...

Obtain and communicate data to describe patterns that indicate the nature of relationships between human organ systems, ...

Construct models of organ systems (e.g., circulatory, digestive, respiratory, muscular, skeletal, nervous) to demonstrat...

Research and communicate how noninfectious diseases (e.g., diabetes, heart disease) and infectious diseases (e.g., cold,...

Using informational text, investigate how scientific fields, medical specialties, and research methods help us find new ...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of life cycles, including familiar plants and animals (e.g., reptiles, amphib...

Compare and contrast life cycles of familiar plants and animals.

Develop and use models to explain the unique and diverse life cycles of organisms other than humans (e.g., flowering pla...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the common sources and uses of heat and electric energy and the materials ...

Obtain and communicate information to compare how different processes (including burning, friction, and electricity) ser...

Plan and conduct scientific investigations to classify different materials as either an insulator or conductor of electr...

Develop models demonstrating how heat and electrical energy can be transformed into other forms of energy (e.g., motion,...

Develop models that demonstrate the path of an electric current in a complete, simple circuit (e.g., lighting a light bu...

Use informational text and technology resources to communicate technological breakthroughs made by historical figures in...

Design a device that converts any form of energy from one form to another form (e.g., construct a musical instrument tha...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the properties of light as forms of energy.

Construct scientific evidence to support the claim that white light is made up of different colors. Include the work of ...

Obtain and communicate information to explain how the visibility of an object is related to light.

Develop and use models to communicate how light travels and behaves when it strikes an object, including reflection, ref...

Plan and conduct scientific investigations to explain how light behaves when it strikes transparent, translucent, and op...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the properties of sound as a form of energy.

Plan and conduct scientific investigations to test how different variables affect the properties of sound (i.e., pitch a...

In relation to how sound is perceived by humans, analyze and interpret data from observations and measurements to report...

Obtain and communicate information about scientists who pioneered in the science of sound, (e.g., Alexander Graham Bell,...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the effects of human interaction with Earth and how Earth’s natural resour...

Collect and organize scientific ideas that individuals and communities can use to conserve Earth’s natural resources and...

Design a process for better preparing communities to withstand human-caused or natural disasters (e.g., removing oil fro...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the locations of objects in the universe.

Develop and use scaled models of Earth's solar system to demonstrate the size, composition (i.e., rock or gas), location...

Use evidence to argue why the sun appears brighter than other stars.

Describe how constellations appear to move from Earth's perspective throughout the seasons (e.g., Ursa Major, Ursa Minor...

Construct scientific arguments to support claims about the importance of astronomy in navigation and exploration, includ...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the principles that govern moon phases, day and night, appearance of objec...

Analyze and interpret data from observations and research (e.g., from NASA, NOAA, or the USGS) to explain patterns in th...

Develop and use a model of the Earth-Sun-Moon system to analyze the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, solar and lunar ecl...

Develop and use models to explain the factors (e.g., tilt, revolution, and angle of sunlight) that result in Earth's sea...

Obtain information and analyze how our understanding of the solar system has evolved over time (e.g., Earth-centered mod...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of photosynthesis and the transfer of energy from the sun into chemical energ...

Research and communicate the basic process of photosynthesis that is used by plants to convert light energy into chemica...

Analyze environments that do not receive direct sunlight and devise explanations as to how photosynthesis occurs, either...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of a healthy ecosystem with a stable web of life and the roles of living thin...

Obtain and evaluate scientific information regarding the characteristics of different ecosystems and the organisms they ...

Develop and use a food chain model to classify organisms as producers, consumers, or decomposers. Trace the energy flow ...

Design and interpret models of food webs to justify what effects the removal or the addition of a species (i.e., introdu...

Communicate scientific or technical information that explains human positions in food webs and our potential impacts on ...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the physical properties of matter.

Obtain and evaluate scientific information to describe basic physical properties of atoms and molecules.

Collect, analyze, and interpret data from measurements of the physical properties of solids, liquids, and gases (e.g., v...

Analyze matter through observations and measurements to classify materials (e.g., powders, metals, minerals, or liquids)...

Make and test predictions about how the density of an object affects whether the object sinks or floats when placed in a...

Design a vessel that can safely transport a dense substance (e.g., syrup, coins, marbles) through water at various dista...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of mixtures and solutions.

Obtain and evaluate scientific information to describe what happens to the properties of substances in mixtures and solu...

Analyze and interpret data to communicate that the concentration of a solution is determined by the relative amount of s...

Investigate how different variables (e.g., temperature change, stirring, particle size, or surface area) affect the rate...

Design an effective system (e.g., sifting, filtration, evaporation, magnetic attraction, or floatation) for separating v...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the difference between physical and chemical changes.

Analyze and communicate the results of chemical changes that result in the formation of new materials (e.g., decaying, b...

Analyze and communicate the results of physical changes to a substance that results in a reversible change (e.g., change...

Analyze and interpret data to support claims that when two substances are mixed, the total weight of matter is conserved...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the factors that affect the motion of an object through a study of Newton'...

Obtain and communicate information describing gravity's effect on an object.

Predict the future motion of various objects based on past observation and measurement of position, direction, and speed...

Develop and use models to explain how the amount or type of force, both contact and non-contact, affects the motion of a...

Plan and conduct scientific investigations to test the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the speed and/or dir...

Predict how a change of force, mass, and/or friction affects the motion of an object to convert potential energy into ki...

Design a system to increase the effects of friction on the motion of an object (e.g., non-slip surfaces or vehicle braki...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of Earth’s place in the universe and the interactions of the solar system (su...

Obtain, evaluate, and summarize past and present theories and evidence to explain the formation and composition of the u...

Use graphical displays or models to explain the hierarchical structure (stars, galaxies, galactic clusters) of the unive...

Evaluate modern techniques used to explore our solar system’s position in the universe.

Obtain and evaluate information to model and compare the characteristics and movements of objects in the solar system (i...

Construct explanations for how gravity affects the motion of objects in the solar system and tides on Earth.

Design models representing motions within the Sun-Earth-Moon system to explain phenomena observed from the Earth’s surfa...

Analyze and interpret data from the surface features of the Sun (e.g., photosphere, corona, sunspots, prominences, and s...

Students will demonstrate an understanding that living things range from simple to complex organisms, are organized hier...

Use argument supported by evidence in order to distinguish between living and non-living things, including viruses and b...

Obtain and communicate evidence to support the cell theory.

Develop and use models to explain how specific cellular components (cell wall, cell membrane, nucleus, chloroplast, vacu...

Compare and contrast different cells in order to classify them as a protist, fungus, plant, or animal.

Provide evidence that organisms are unicellular or multicellular.

Develop and use models to show relationships among the increasing complexity of multicellular organisms (cells, tissues,...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the relationships between survival, environmental changes, and diversity a...

Use scientific reasoning to explain differences between biotic and abiotic factors that demonstrate what living organism...

Develop and use models to describe the levels of organization within ecosystems (species, populations, communities, ecos...

Analyze cause and effect relationships to explore how changes in the physical environment (limiting factors, natural dis...

Investigate organism interactions in a competitive or mutually beneficial relationship (predation, competition, cooperat...

Develop and use food chains, webs, and pyramids to analyze how energy is transferred through an ecosystem from producers...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of classification tools and models such as dichotomous keys to classify repre...

Compare and contrast modern classification techniques (e.g., analyzing genetic material) to the historical practices use...

Use classification methods to explore the diversity of organisms in kingdoms (animals, plants, fungi, protists, bacteria...

Analyze and interpret data from observations to describe how fungi obtain energy and respond to stimuli (e.g., bread mol...

Conduct investigations using a microscope or multimedia source to compare the characteristics of protists (euglena, para...

Engage in scientific arguments to support claims that bacteria (Archaebacteria and Eubacteria) and viruses can be both h...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of Newton’s laws of motion using real world models and examples.

Use an engineering design process to create or improve safety devices (e.g., seat belts, car seats, helmets) by applying...

Use mathematical computation and diagrams to calculate the sum of forces acting on various objects.

Investigate and communicate ways to manipulate applied/frictional forces to improve movement of objects on various surfa...

Compare and contrast magnetic, electric, frictional, and gravitational forces.

Conduct investigations to predict and explain the motion of an object according to its position, direction, speed, and a...

Investigate forces (gravity, friction, drag, lift, thrust) acting on objects (e.g., airplane, bicycle helmets). Use data...

Determine the relationships between the concepts of potential, kinetic, and thermal energy.

Students will demonstrate an understanding of how complex changes in the movement and patterns of air and water molecule...

Analyze and interpret weather patterns from various regions to differentiate between weather and climate.

Analyze evidence to explain the weather conditions that result from the relationship between the movement of water and a...

Interpret atmospheric data from satellites, radar, and weather maps to predict weather patterns and conditions.

Construct an explanation for how climate is determined in an area using global and surface features (e.g. latitude, elev...

Analyze models to explain the cause and effect relationship between solar energy and convection and the resulting weathe...

Research and use models to explain what type of weather (thunderstorms, hurricanes, and tornadoes) results from the move...

Interpret topographic maps to predict how local and regional geography affect weather patterns and make them difficult t...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between natural phenomena, human activity, and global cli...

Read and evaluate scientific or technical information assessing the evidence and bias of each source to explain the caus...

Interpret data about the relationship between the release of carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels into the atmospher...

Engage in scientific argument based on current evidence to determine whether climate change happens naturally or is bein...

Students will demonstrate an understanding that the seasons are the direct result of the Earth's tilt and the intensity ...

Construct models and diagrams to illustrate how the tilt of Earth's axis results in differences in intensity of sunlight...

Investigate how variations of sunlight intensity experienced by each hemisphere (to include the equator and poles) creat...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the importance that matter cycles between living and non-living parts of t...

Analyze diagrams to provide evidence of the importance of the cycling of water, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen through eco...

Analyze and interpret data to explain how the processes of photosynthesis, and cellular respiration (aerobic and anaerob...

Use models to describe how food molecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins) are processed through chemical reactions usi...

Explain how disruptions in cycles (e.g., water, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen) affect biodiversity and ecosystem services...

Design solutions for sustaining the health of ecosystems to maintain biodiversity and the resources needed by humans for...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the physical and chemical properties of matter.

Collect and evaluate qualitative data to describe substances using physical properties (state, boiling/melting point, de...

Analyze and interpret qualitative data to describe substances using chemical properties (the ability to burn or rust).

Compare and contrast chemical and physical properties (e.g., combustion, oxidation, pH, solubility, reaction with water)...

Students will demonstrate an understanding about the effects of temperature and pressure on physical state, molecular mo...

Make predictions about the effect of temperature and pressure on the relative motion of atoms and molecules (speed, expa...

Use evidence from multiple scientific investigations to communicate the relationships between pressure, volume, density,...

Ask questions to explain how density of matter (observable in various objects) is affected by a change in heat and/or pr...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the proper use of the periodic table to predict and identify elemental pro...

Develop and use models that explain the structure of an atom.

Use informational text to sequence the major discoveries leading to the current atomic model.

Collect, organize, and interpret data from investigations to identify and analyze the relationships between the physical...

Predict the properties and interactions of elements using the periodic table (metals, non-metals, reactivity, and conduc...

Describe concepts used to construct chemical formulas (e.g., CH4, H2O) to determine the number of atoms in a chemical fo...

Using the periodic table, make predictions to explain how bonds (ionic and covalent) form between groups of elements (e....

Students will demonstrate an understanding of chemical formulas and common chemical substances to predict the types of r...

Analyze evidence from scientific investigations to predict likely outcomes of chemical reactions.

Design and conduct scientific investigations to support evidence that chemical reactions (e.g., cooking, combustion, rus...

Collect, organize, and interpret data using various tools (e.g., litmus paper, pH paper, cabbage juice) regarding neutra...

Build a model to explain that chemical reactions can store (formation of bonds) or release energy (breaking of bonds).

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the law of conservation of mass.

Conduct simple scientific investigations to show that total mass is not altered during a chemical reaction in a closed s...

Analyze data from investigations to explain why the total mass of the product in an open system appears to be less than ...

Compare and contrast balanced and unbalanced chemical equations to demonstrate the number of atoms does not change in th...

Students will demonstrate an understanding that a decrease in natural resources is directly related to the increase in h...

Read and evaluate scientific information about advancements in renewable and nonrenewable resources. Propose and defend ...

Create and defend a proposal for reducing the environmental effects humans have on Earth (e.g., population increases, co...

Using scientific data, debate the societal advantages and disadvantages of technological advancements in renewable energ...

Using an engineering design process, develop a system to capture and distribute thermal energy that makes renewable ener...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of geological evidence to analyze patterns in Earth’s major events, processes...

Use scientific evidence to create a timeline of Earth’s history that depicts relative dates from index fossil records an...

Create a model of the processes involved in the rock cycle and relate it to the fossil record.

Construct and analyze scientific arguments to support claims that most fossil evidence is an indication of the diversity...

Use research and evidence to document how evolution has been shaped both gradually and through mass extinction by Earth’...

Students will demonstrate an understanding that physical processes and major geological events (e.g., plate movement, vo...

Investigate and explain how the flow of Earth's internal energy drives the cycling of matter through convection currents...

Explore and debate theories of plate tectonics to form conclusions about past and current movements of rocks at Earth's ...

Map land and water patterns from various time periods and use rocks and fossils to report evidence of how Earth's plates...

Research and assess the credibility of scientific ideas to debate and discuss how Earth's constructive and destructive p...

Use models that demonstrate convergent and divergent plate movements that are responsible for most landforms and the dis...

Design and conduct investigations to evaluate the chemical and physical processes involved in the formation of soils.

Explain the interconnected relationship between surface water and groundwater.

Students will demonstrate an understanding of natural hazards (volcanic eruptions, severe weather, earthquakes) and cons...

Research and map various types of natural hazards to determine their impact on society.

Compare and contrast technologies that predict natural hazards to identify which types of technologies are most effectiv...

Using an engineering design process, create mechanisms to improve community resilience, which safeguard against natural ...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of how sexual reproduction results in offspring with genetic variation while ...

Use a model to show the relationship of genes, chromosomes, and DNA, and construct explanations comparing their relation...

Create a diagram of mitosis and explain its role in asexual reproduction, which results in offspring with identical gene...

Construct explanations of how genetic information is transferred during meiosis through crossing over and independent as...

Construct a model of meiosis to explain its role in sexual reproduction, which results in offspring that have a new comb...

Compare and contrast advantages and disadvantages of asexual and sexual reproduction.

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the differences in inherited and acquired characteristics and how environm...

Construct an argument based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms.

Use various scientific resources to research and support the historical findings of Gregor Mendel to explain the basic p...

Use mathematical and computational thinking to analyze data and make predictions about the outcome of specific genetic c...

Debate the ethics of artificial selection (selective breeding, genetic engineering) and the societal impacts of humans c...

Students will demonstrate an understanding that chromosomes contain many distinct genes and that each gene holds the ins...

Communicate through diagrams that chromosomes contain many distinct genes and that each gene holds the instructions for ...

Construct scientific arguments from evidence to support claims about the potentially harmful, beneficial, or neutral eff...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the process of natural selection, in which variations in a population incr...

Use various scientific resources to analyze the historical findings of Charles Darwin to explain basic principles of nat...

Construct explanations about how genetic factors and environmental factors (e.g., food intake, interactions with other o...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of how similarities and differences among living and extinct species provide ...

Analyze and interpret data (e.g., pictures, graphs) to explain how natural selection may lead to increases and decreases...

Construct written and verbal explanations to describe how genetic variations of traits in a population increase some org...

Obtain and evaluate scientific information to explain that separated populations, which remain separated, can evolve thr...

Analyze displays of pictorial data to compare and contrast embryological and homologous/analogous structures across mult...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the properties, behaviors, and application of waves.

Interpret the characteristics and behaviors of sound and light waves to determine the relationship between matter and en...

Investigate research-based mechanisms for capturing and converting wave energy (frequency, amplitude, wavelength, and sp...

Conduct simple investigations about the performance of waves to describe their behavior (e.g., refraction, reflection, t...

Use scientific processes to plan and conduct controlled investigations to conclude sound is a wave phenomenon that is ch...

Conduct scientific investigations that describe the behavior of sound when resonance changes (e.g., waves in a stretched...

Obtain and evaluate scientific information to explain the relationship between seeing color and the transmission, absorp...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics of life and biological organization.

Develop criteria to differentiate between living and non-living things.

Describe the tenets of cell theory and the contributions of Schwann, Hooke, Schleiden, and Virchow.

Using specific examples, explain how cells can be organized into complex tissues, organs, and organ systems in multicell...

Use evidence from current scientific literature to support whether a virus is living or non-living

Students will analyze the structure and function of the macromolecules that make up cells.

Develop and use models to compare and contrast the structure and function of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nuclei...

Design and conduct an experiment to determine how enzymes react given various environmental conditions (i.e., pH, temper...

Students will relate the diversity of organelles to a variety of specialized cellular functions.

Develop and use models to explore how specialized structures within cells (e.g., nucleus, cytoskeleton, endoplasmic reti...

Investigate to compare and contrast prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells, and plant, animal, and fungal cells.

Contrast the structure of viruses with that of cells and explain why viruses must use living cells to reproduce.

Students will describe the structure of the cell membrane and analyze how the structure is related to its primary functi...

Plan and conduct investigations to prove that the cell membrane is semi-permeable, allowing it to maintain homeostasis w...

Develop and use models to explain how the cell deals with imbalances of solute concentration across the cell membrane (i...

Students will develop and use models to explain the role of the cell cycle during growth, development, and maintenance i...

Construct models to explain how the processes of cell division and cell differentiation produce and maintain complex mul...

Identify and describe the changes that occur in a cell during the cell cycle. Explore problems that might occur if the c...

Relate the processes of cellular reproduction to asexual reproduction in simple organisms (i.e., budding, vegetative pro...

Enrichment: Use scientific literature to investigate the role of stem cells in regeneration and asexual reproduction, an...

Students will explain that cells transform energy through the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration to dr...

Use models to demonstrate that ATP and ADP are cycled within a cell as a means to transfer energy.

Develop models of the major reactants and products of photosynthesis to demonstrate the transformation of light energy i...

Develop models of the major reactants and products of cellular respiration (aerobic and anaerobic) to demonstrate the tr...

Conduct scientific investigations or computer simulations to compare aerobic and anaerobic cellular respiration in plant...

Enrichment: Investigate variables (e.g., nutrient availability, temperature) that affect anaerobic respiration and curre...

Students will develop and use models to explain the role of meiosis in the production of haploid gametes required for se...

Model sex cell formation (meiosis) and combination (fertilization) to demonstrate the maintenance of chromosome number t...

Compare and contrast mitosis and meiosis in terms of reproduction.

Investigate chromosomal abnormalities (e.g., Down syndrome, Turner’s syndrome, and Klinefelter syndrome) that might aris...

Students will analyze and interpret data collected from probability calculations to explain the variation of expressed t...

Demonstrate Mendel’s law of dominance and segregation using mathematics to predict phenotypic and genotypic ratios by co...

Apply Mendel’s law of independent assortment to interpret dihybrid crosses.

Investigate traits that follow non-Mendelian inheritance patterns (e.g., incomplete dominance, codominance, multiple all...

Analyze and interpret data (e.g., pedigrees, family, and population studies) regarding Mendelian and complex genetic tra...

Students will construct an explanation based on evidence to describe how the structure and nucleotide base sequence of D...

Develop and use models to explain the relationship between DNA, genes, and chromosomes in coding the instructions for th...

Evaluate the mechanisms of transcription and translation in protein synthesis.

Use models to predict how various changes in the nucleotide sequence (e.g., point mutations, and frameshift mutations) w...

Research and identify how DNA technology benefits society. Engage in scientific argument from evidence over the ethical ...

Enrichment: Investigate current biotechnological applications in the study of the genome (e.g., transcriptome, proteome,...

Students will analyze and interpret evidence to explain the unity and diversity of life.

Use models to differentiate between organic and chemical evolution, illustrating the steps leading to aerobic heterotrop...

Evaluate empirical evidence of common ancestry and biological evolution, including comparative anatomy (e.g., homologous...

Analyze cladograms/phylogenetic trees to illustrate relatedness between species.

Design models and/or use simulations to investigate the interaction between changing environments and genetic variation ...

Use Darwin's Theory to explain how genetic variation, competition, overproduction, and unequal reproductive success acts...

Construct explanations for the mechanisms of speciation (e.g., geographic, and reproductive isolation).

Enrichment: Construct explanations for how various disease agents (bacteria, viruses, chemicals) can influence natural s...

Students will Investigate and evaluate the interdependence of living organisms and their environment.

Illustrate levels of ecological hierarchy, including organism, population, community, ecosystem, biome, and biosphere.

Analyze models of the cycling of matter (e.g., carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and water) between abiotic and biotic facto...

Analyze and interpret quantitative data to construct an explanation for the effects of greenhouse gases on the carbon di...

Develop and use models to describe the flow of energy and amount of biomass through food chains, food webs, and food pyr...

Evaluate symbiotic relationships (e.g., mutualism, parasitism, and commensalism) and other co-evolutionary (e.g., predat...

Analyze and interpret population data to define limiting factors, both density-dependent and density-independent. Use gr...

Investigate and evaluate factors involved in primary and secondary ecological succession using local, real-world example...

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to create a solution that addresses changing ecological conditions (e.g., ...

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to investigate and model current technological uses of biomimicry to addre...

Students will investigate the morphology, anatomy, and physiology of plants.

Analyze models (3-D, paper, and/or computer-based) to distinguish the basic morphology of the plant kingdom, with attent...

Identify and compare various live plant examples to explore plant morphological diversity, including leaf number, struct...

Compare and contrast functions of the various characteristics found in plant divisions and utilize dichotomous keys to i...

Using microscopes, observe, identify, record, and analyze (e.g., see and draw) cells and cell structures unique to plant...

Describe the relationship between the structure and purpose of plant organs (e.g., roots, stems, and leaves).

Evaluate and explain how bacteria and fungi work symbiotically to enhance plant root function.

Calculate surface area of leaves/roots and compare surface areas of various plant specimens to explain adaptations of th...

Demonstrate through model development and manipulation an understanding of plant biochemistry.

Conduct investigations, collect and analyze data, and communicate results that explain the processes of photosynthesis a...

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to manipulate a variable of choice to refine a protocol to optimize output...

Communicate the importance of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and nitrogen cycles to plant physiology through grap...

Students will identify evolutionary modifications necessary for the terrestrial survival of plants.

Summarize and justify the characteristics of nonvascular algae (blue-green and green algae) and bryophytes that provide ...

Referencing the USDA plants database, identify, compare, and contrast seedless, naked seed, and enclosed-seed modificati...

Summarize and justify the characteristics of angiosperms and gymnosperms that lead to their success as terrestrial plant...

Research information to develop, produce, and communicate a scientifically justifiable argument for the rapid amplificat...

Enrichment: Referencing the National Center for Biotechnology Information’s gene/protein databases, propose and design a...

Students will characterize the reproductive strategies of plants.

Describe the various processes of asexual reproduction and vegetative propagation used by plants. Communicate the import...

Enrichment: Research and present an agronomically important crop (e.g., potato, sweet potato, pineapple, or strawberry) ...

Compare and contrast the consequences of the following reproductive methods: asexual reproduction, vegetative propagatio...

Plan and conduct comparative flower dissection to identify reproductive structures within the flower.

Compare the similarities between corresponding plant reproductive structures from a variety of species. Record via drawi...

Identify differences in flower structure and shape. Provide a rationale that explains the value of these differences in ...

Plan, conduct, and communicate the results of a comparative laboratory investigation of differing fruit types.

Using laboratory data, correctly categorize fruits, vegetables, nuts, modified stems, or other plant parts. Compare the ...

Students will explore the global value of plants and the interaction between humans and plants.

Identify plants used in the bioremediation of an area due to natural processes (e.g., fire), industrial pollution, or wa...

Use an engineering design process to define a problem, design, construct, evaluate, and improve a habitat impacted by hu...

Investigate historical and modern medicinal uses of plants.

Investigate the industrial use of plants.

Explore the impacts (both positive and negative) of plant biotechnology/GMOs on human society. Present findings using di...

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to design and conduct an investigation that uses biomimicry to provide a p...

Students will explore adaptations that allow plants to survive in various habitats.

Research plants found in various habitats. Analyze how plants use adaptations for survival in these habitats including e...

Relate atmospheric factors to biodiversity (e.g., climate as determined by temperature and precipitation).

Construct a model using technology that illustrates the levels of succession within a habitat (e.g., graveyard explorati...

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to design and build a plant model based on extreme environment criteria to...

Students will ask questions, plan, and conduct field investigations on local plant communities.

Conduct transects/plot studies to determine species, biodiversity, or health of a plant community. (Plots may be linear ...

Compare and contrast genomes using plant genetic databases (e.g., BLAST or plant GDB).

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to define a problem, design, construct, evaluate, and improve a societal c...

Students will use mathematical and computational analysis to evaluate problems.

Enrichment: Students will understand that energy is exchanged or transformed in all chemical reactions.

Enrichment: Construct explanations to explain how temperature and heat flow in terms of the motion of molecules (or atom...

Enrichment: Classify chemical reactions and phase changes as exothermic or endothermic based on enthalpy values. Use a g...

Enrichment: Analyze and interpret data from energy diagrams and investigations to support claims that the amount of ener...

Enrichment: Use mathematical and computational thinking to solve problems involving heat flow and temperature changes, u...

Use dimensional analysis (factor/label) and significant figures to convert units and solve problems.

Enrichment: Students will understand that chemical equilibrium is a dynamic process at the molecular level.

Enrichment: Construct explanations to explain how to use Le Chatelier’s principle to predict the effect of changes in co...

Enrichment: Use mathematical and computational thinking to calculate an equilibrium constant expression for a reaction.

Design and conduct experiments using appropriate measurements, significant figures, graphical analysis to analyze data.

Enrichment: Students will understand that the bonding characteristics of carbon allow the formation of many different or...

Enrichment: Construct explanations to explain the bonding characteristics of carbon that result in the formation of basi...

Enrichment: Obtain information to communicate the system used for naming the basic linear hydrocarbons and isomers that ...

Enrichment: Develop and use models to identify the functional groups that form the basis of alcohols, ketones, ethers, a...

Enrichment: Research information from multiple appropriate sources and assess the credibility, accuracy, possible bias, ...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the atomic structure and the historical developments leading to modern ato...

Investigate the historical progression leading to the modern atomic theory, including, but not limited to, work done by ...

Construct models (e.g., ball and stick, online simulations, mathematical computations) of atomic nuclei to explain the a...

Investigate absorption and emission spectra to interpret explanations of electrons at discrete energy levels using tools...

Research appropriate sources to evaluate the way absorption and emission spectra are used to study astronomy and the for...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the periodic table as a systematic representation to predict properties of...

Explore and communicate the organization of the periodic table, including history, groups, families, family names, metal...

Analyze properties of atoms and ions (e.g., metal/nonmetal/metalloid behavior, electrical/heat conductivity, electronega...

Analyze the periodic table to identify quantum numbers (e.g., valence shell electrons, energy level, orbitals, sublevels...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the types of bonds and resulting atomic structures for the classification ...

Develop and use models (e.g., Lewis dot, 3-D ball-stick, 3-D printing, or simulation programs such as PhET) to predict t...

Use models such as Lewis structures and ball and stick models to depict the valence electrons and their role in the form...

Predict the ionic or covalent nature of different atoms based on electronegativity trends and/or position on the periodi...

Use models and oxidation numbers to predict the type of bond, shape of the compound, and the polarity of the compound.

Use models of simple hydrocarbons to exemplify structural isomerism.

Use mathematical and computational analysis to determine the empirical formula and the percent composition of compounds.

Use scientific investigation to determine the percentage of composition for a substance (e.g., sugar in gum, water and/o...

Plan and conduct controlled scientific investigations to produce mathematical evidence of the empirical composition of a...

Students will investigate and understand the accepted nomenclature used to identify the name and chemical formulas of co...

Use the periodic table and a list of common polyatomic ions as a model to derive chemical compound formulas from compoun...

Generate formulas of ionic and covalent compounds from compound names. Discuss compounds in everyday life and compile li...

Generate names of ionic and covalent compounds from their formulas. Name binary compounds, binary acids, stock compounds...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the types, causes, and effects of chemical reactions.

Develop and use models to predict the products of chemical reactions (e.g., synthesis reactions; single replacement; dou...

Plan, conduct, and communicate the results of investigations to demonstrate different types of simple chemical reactions...

Use mathematics and computational analysis to represent the ratio of reactants and products in terms of masses, molecule...

Use mathematics and computational analysis to support the claim that atoms, and therefore mass, are conserved during a c...

Plan and conduct a controlled scientific investigation to produce mathematical evidence that mass is conserved. Use perc...

Use mathematics and computational analysis to support the concept of percent yield and limiting reagent.

Plan and conduct a controlled scientific investigation to produce mathematical evidence to predict and confirm the limit...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the structure and behavior of gases.

Analyze the behavior of ideal and real gases in terms of pressure, volume, temperature, and number of particles.

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to develop models (e.g., online simulations or student interactive activit...

Analyze and interpret heating curve graphs to explain the energy relationship between states of matter (e.g., thermochem...

Use mathematical computations to describe relationships comparing pressure, temperature, volume, and number of particles...

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process and online simulations or lab investigations to design and model the resul...

Use the ideal gas law to support the prediction of volume, mass, and number of particles produced in chemical reactions ...

Plan and conduct controlled scientific investigations to produce mathematical evidence that confirms that reactions invo...

Enrichment: Using gas stoichiometry, calculate the volume of carbon dioxide needed to inflate a balloon to occupy a spec...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the nature of properties of various types of chemical solutions.

Use mathematical and computational analysis to quantitatively express the concentration of solutions using concepts such...

Develop and use models (e.g., online simulations, games, or video representations) to explain the dissolving process in ...

Analyze and interpret data to predict the effect of temperature and pressure on solids and gases dissolved in water.

Design, conduct, and communicate the results of experiments to test the conductivity of common ionic and covalent compou...

Use mathematical and computational analysis to analyze molarity, molality, dilution, and percentage dilution problems.

Design, conduct, and communicate the results of experiments to produce a specified volume of a solution of a specific mo...

Use mathematical and computational analysis to predict the results of reactions using the concentration of solutions (i....

Enrichment: Investigate parts per million and/or parts per billion as it applies to environmental concerns in your geogr...

Enrichment: Students will understand the nature and properties of acids, bases, and salt solutions.

Enrichment: Analyze and interpret data to describe the properties of acids, bases, and salts.

Enrichment: Analyze and interpret data to identify differences between strong and weak acids and bases (i.e., dissociati...

Enrichment: Plan and conduct investigations using the pH scale to classify acid and base solutions.

Enrichment: Analyze and evaluate the Arrhenius, Bronsted-Lowry, and Lewis acid-base definitions.

Enrichment: Use mathematical and computational thinking to calculate pH from the hydrogen-ion concentration.

Enrichment: Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about how buffers stabilize pH in acid-base reactions.

Students will investigate the interdependence of diverse living organisms and their interactions with the components of ...

Identify, investigate, and evaluate the interactions of the abiotic and biotic factors that determine the types of organ...

Enrichment: Engage in scientific argument from evidence the benefits versus harm of genetically modified organisms.

Evaluate evidence in nonfiction text to explain how biological or physical changes within biomes affect populations and ...

Use models to explain why the flow of energy through an ecosystem can be illustrated by a pyramid with less energy avail...

Describe symbiotic relationships (e.g., mutualism, parasitism, and commensalism) and other co-evolutionary (e.g., predat...

Develop and use models to diagram the flow of nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus through the environment.

Use mathematics, graphics, and informational text to determine how population density-dependent and density-independent ...

Analyze and interpret quantitative data to construct explanations of how the carrying capacity of an ecosystem may chang...

Utilize data to communicate changes within a given population and the environmental factors that may have impacted these...

Evaluate and communicate data that explains how human activity may impact biodiversity (e.g., introduction, removal, and...

Students will relate the impact of human activities on the environment, conservation activities, and efforts to maintain...

Differentiate between renewable and nonrenewable resources and compare and contrast the pros and cons of using these res...

Investigate and research the pros and cons of using traditional sources of energy (e.g., fossil fuels) and alternative s...

Compare and contrast biodegradable and nonbiodegradable wastes and their significance in landfills.

Examine solutions for developing, conserving, managing, recycling, and reusing energy and mineral resources to minimize ...

Research various resources related to water quality and pollution (e.g., nonfictional text, EPA’s Surf Your Watershed, M...

Enrichment: Obtain water from a local source (e.g., stream on campus, rainwater, ditch water) to monitor water quality o...

Students will discuss the direct and indirect impacts of certain types of human activities on the Earth’s climate.

Use a model to describe cycling of carbon through the ocean, atmosphere, soil, and biosphere and how increases in carbon...

Interpret data and climate models to predict how global and regional climate change can affect Earth’s systems (e.g., pr...

Use satellite imagery and other resources to analyze changes in biomes over time (e.g., glacial retreat, deforestation, ...

Enrichment: Determine mathematically an individual’s impact on the environment (carbon footprint, water usage, landfill ...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the interdependence of human sustainability and the environment.

Identify human impact and develop a solution for protection of the atmosphere, considering pollutants (e.g., acid rain, ...

Evaluate data and other information to explain how key natural resources (e.g., water sources, fertile soils, concentrat...

Enrichment: Research and analyze case studies to determine the impact of human-related and natural environmental changes...

Enrichment: Explore online resources related to air pollution to determine air quality in a geographic area and communic...

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to define a problem, design, construct, evaluate, and improve a device or ...

Students will develop an understanding of the universe, its development, immense size, and composition.

Describe the Big Bang theory and summarize observations (e.g., cosmic microwave background radiation, Hubble’s law, and ...

Interpret information from the Hertzsprung -Russell diagram to differentiate types of stars, including our sun, accordin...

Organize and interpret data sets for patterns and trends to compare and contrast stellar evolution in order to explain a...

Research and explain how nuclear fusion in stars and supernova lead to the formation of all other elements.

Students will develop an understanding of Earth, the solar system, and the laws that predict the motion of celestial bod...

Read and evaluate scientific information for mechanisms/results (e.g., the solar nebular theory) to explain how the sola...

Compare and contrast celestial bodies (e.g., planets, natural satellites, comets, asteroids, and the Oort cloud) and the...

Design a model (e.g., a gravity simulation using PVC and a neoprene screen) to demonstrate Kepler’s laws and the relatio...

Students will develop an understanding of the structure and composition of Earth and its materials.

Analyze and interpret data to explain and communicate the differentiation of Earth’s internal chemical structure (e.g., ...

Analyze and interpret data to explain and communicate the differentiation of Earth’s physical divisions (e.g., lithosphe...

Investigate the physical and/or chemical characteristics of mineral specimens to identify minerals and mineral deposits/...

Investigate the physical and/or chemical characteristics of rock specimens to identify and categorize igneous, sedimenta...

Students will develop an understanding of the history and evolution of the earth.

Research, analyze, and evaluate the contributions of William Smith, James Hutton, Nicolaus Steno, Charles Lyell, and oth...

Apply different techniques (e.g., superposition, original horizontality, cross-cutting relationships, lateral continuity...

Use mathematical concepts to calculate the absolute age of Earth materials using actual or simulated isotope ratios.

Research, analyze, and explain the origin of geologic features and processes that result from plate tectonics, including...

Use mathematical representations to interpret seismic graphs to triangulate the location of an earthquake’s epicenter an...

Plan and conduct a scientific investigation to determine how factors (e.g., wind velocity, water velocity, ice, and temp...

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to design a model to simulate the formation of caves and karst topography ...

Students will develop an understanding of Earth’s systems and cycles.

Use mathematical representations (e.g., latitude, longitude, and maps) to calculate the angle of noon solar incidence an...

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to explore the concepts of passive solar architecture to design a structur...

Explain how temperature and density of ocean water influence circulation.

Research and communicate information to explain the importance of the transfer of thermal energy among the hydrosphere, ...

Analyze and interpret weather data using maps and global weather systems to explain and communicate the relationships am...

Construct an explanation from data sets to obtain and evaluate scientific information to construct scientific arguments ...

Cite evidence and develop logical arguments to identify the cause-and-effect relationships of the evolutionary milestone...

Analyze and interpret the record of shared ancestry, evolution, and extinction as related to natural selection using fos...

Students will develop an understanding of Earth’s resources and the impact of human activities.

Research, evaluate, and communicate about how human life on Earth shapes Earth’s systems and responds to the interaction...

Research, assess, and communicate how Earth’s systems influence the distribution of life, including how various natural ...

Analyze earthquake and volcanic data to determine patterns that can lead to predicting such hazards and mitigating impac...

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to research, develop, and test models to aid in the responsible management...

Enrichment: Research and communicate information regarding geoscience career options (e.g., geologist, petroleum enginee...

Students will relate the importance of significant historical biological experiments and their impact of these on resear...

Identify and communicate the contributions of famous scientists and their experiments that formed fundamental scientific...

Trace and model the historical development of scientific ideas and theories (e.g., creation of the microscope, discovery...

Research, analyze, explain, and communicate how scientific enterprise relates to society and classic inventions (e.g., m...

Enrichment: Research, analyze, explain, and communicate the influence of society, including cultural components, on the ...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the structure and interactions of matter and how the organization of matte...

Develop and use simple atomic models to describe the components of elements (e.g., relative position, charges of protons...

Obtain and use information about elements (e.g., chemical symbol, atomic number, atomic mass, and group or family) to de...

Relate chemical reactivity to an element’s position on the periodic table. Use this information to determine what type o...

Analyze and interpret data to classify common solutions such as acids, bases, or neutral. Communicate the importance of ...

Investigate how the properties of water (e.g., cohesion, adhesion, heat capacity, solvent properties) contribute to the ...

Explain the role of the major biomolecules (carbohydrates, proteins -including enzymes, lipids, and nucleic acids) to th...

Enrichment: Explore the structure of biomolecules using molecular models. Relate the structure of biomolecules to their ...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of how the structure of living organisms supports the essential functions of ...

Compare and contrast prokaryotic/eukaryotic and plant/animal/bacteria cells.

Use models to investigate and explain structures within living cells that support life (e.g., cytoplasm, cell membrane, ...

Compare and contrast active and passive cellular transport. Analyze the movement of water across a cell membrane in hypo...

Analyze the relationship between photosynthesis and cellular respiration and explain that relationship in terms of the n...

Use models to explain how ADP and ATP cycle to store and release chemical energy using inorganic phosphate.

Compare and contrast the processes and results of mitosis and meiosis.

Enrichment: Research and orally communicate the possible outcomes of a failure of mitosis (cancer) or meiosis (nondisjun...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of how genetic information is transferred from parent to offspring.

Compare and contrast the basic structure and function of nucleic acids (e.g., DNA, RNA).

Obtain and communicate information illustrating the relationships among DNA, genes, chromosomes, and proteins to the bas...

Use models (e.g., Punnett squares) and mathematical reasoning to describe and predict patterns of inheritance of single ...

Obtain and communicate information to describe how mutations may affect genetic expression and provide examples.

Research and report on genetic technologies that may improve the quality of life (e.g., genetic engineering, cloning, ge...

Enrichment: Debate the pros and cons of using biotechnology to manipulate genetic information for human purposes (societ...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of Earth’s fossil record and its indication of the diversity of life over tim...

Investigate through research the contributions of scientists to the theory of evolution and evolutionary processes (e.g....

Analyze and interpret data to support claims that different types of fossils provide evidence of the diversity of life t...

Obtain and communicate information to explain how DNA evidence and fossil records support Darwin’s theory of evolution.

Investigate how biological adaptations and genetic variations of traits in a population enhance the probability of survi...

Enrichment: Create and analyze models that illustrate the relatedness between all living things (cladograms/phylogenic t...

Students will understand the interdependence of living organisms and their environment.

Compare and contrast biotic and abiotic factors.

Use models to analyze the cycling of matter in an ecosystem (e.g., water, carbon dioxide/oxygen, nitrogen).

Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to explain relationships that exist between abiotic and biotic components ...

Develop and use models to discuss the climate, flora, and fauna of the terrestrial and aquatic biomes of the world.

Use models to analyze the flow of energy through food chains, webs, and pyramids.

Engage in scientific argument from evidence to distinguish organisms that exist in symbiotic (mutualism, parasitism, com...

Enrichment: Design solutions to reduce the impact of human activity on the ecosystem.

Students will relate the importance of significant historical experiments and their impact on research and development.

Trace and model the historical development of scientific ideas and theories (e.g., atomic theory, plate tectonics, evolu...

Research, analyze, explain, and communicate how scientific enterprise relates to society and classic inventions (e.g., m...

Identify and communicate the impact of mathematics and technology in the development of scientific thought and the pract...

Enrichment: Research, analyze, explain, and communicate the influence of society, including cultural components, on the ...

Students will identify, research, and communicate the development of technology and engineering practices.

Research and present a technology that was developed through engineering design. Identify its purpose, how it has advanc...

Use an engineering design process to identify a problem within the local community and propose and develop a possible so...

Students will apply science and engineering practices and skills to scientific investigations.

Ask questions and conduct research to generate a hypothesis, determine independent/dependent variables, and appropriate ...

Analyze data from simple experiments and construct organized models (e.g., data tables, graphs) detailing results from t...

Demonstrate the proper use of safety procedures and scientific laboratory equipment. Select and use appropriate tools an...

Use mathematical and computational thinking to (1) use and manipulate appropriate metric units, (2) express relationship...

Analyze data sets from experiments for patterns and trends and identify any weaknesses in the experimental designs.

Students will apply scientific literacy and thinking skills to analyze and interpret data found in various graphics incl...

Analyze select data from a simple and complex data presentation (e.g., charts, graphs, diagrams).

Compare or combine data from two or more simple data presentations (e.g., order or sum data from a table, categorize dat...

Translate information into a table, graph, or diagram. Determine patterns, trends, and relationships as the values of va...

Perform a simple interpolation or simple extrapolation using data in a table or graph. Determine and/or use a simple (e....

Analyze presented information when given new information (e.g., given a new scenario, how would a given scenario be chan...

Students will apply scientific literacy and thinking skills to analyze scientific investigations found in various experi...

Analyze the methods and choice of tools used in simple and complex experimental designs.

Determine the validity of scientific questions (e.g., hypothesis) and variables for complex experimental designs.

Select and describe an alternate method for testing a hypothesis.

Predict how modifying the experimental design or adding another measurement in an experimental design will affect result...

Determine which additional trials could be performed in an investigation to enhance the results of an experimental desig...

Students will apply scientific literacy and thinking skills to evaluate theoretical models, inferences, and experimental...

Select the hypothesis, prediction, or conclusion that is, or is not, supported by data presentation or pieces of informa...

Determine whether given information supports or contradicts a hypothesis or conclusion and provide support for the reaso...

Analyze and interpret data from informational texts and data to (1) reveal patterns and construct meaning (2) support or...

Use new information to make a prediction based on a theoretical model.

Select and explain why a hypothesis, prediction, or conclusion is, or is not, supported by two or more data presentation...

Students will demonstrate that all cells contain genetic material in the form of DNA.

Model the biochemical structure, either 3-D or computer-based, of DNA based on the experimental evidence available to Wa...

Explain the importance of the historical experiments that determined that DNA is the heritable material of the cell (Gri...

Relate the structure of DNA to its specific functions within the cell.

Conduct a standard DNA extraction protocol using salt, detergent, and ethanol from various cell types (e.g., plant, anim...

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to refine the methodology to optimize the DNA-extraction process for vario...

Investigate the structural differences between the genomes (i.e., circular/linear chromosomes and plasmids) found in pro...

Students will analyze how the DNA sequence is copied and transmitted to new cells.

Compare and contrast various proposed models of DNA replication (i.e., conservative, semi-conservative, and disruptive)....

Develop and use models to illustrate the mechanics of DNA replication.

Microscopically observe and analyze the stages of the cell cycle (G1-S-G2-M) to describe the phenomenon and identify met...

Students will analyze and explain the processes of transcription and translation in protein production.

Compare and contrast the structures of RNA and DNA and relate this structure to the different functions of each molecule...

Describe and model how the process of transcription produces RNA from a DNA template in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Develop a model to show the relationship between the components involved in the mechanics of translation at the ribosome...

Analyze the multiple roles of RNA in translation. Compare the structure and function of tRNA, rRNA, mRNA, and snRNA.

Enrichment: Evaluate Beadle and Tatum’s “One Gene-One Enzyme Hypothesis” (1941) in the development of the central dogma ...

Students will determine the causes and effects of mutations in DNA.

Identify factors that cause mutations (e.g., environmental, errors in replication, and viral infections).

Explain how these mutations may result in changes in protein structure and function.

Describe cellular mechanisms that can help to minimize mutations (e.g., cell cycle checkpoints, DNA polymerase proofread...

Investigate the role of mutations and the loss of cell cycle regulation in the development of cancers.

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to research the current status of genetic technology and personalized medi...

Students will investigate biotechnology applications and bioengineering practices.

Explain and demonstrate the use of various tools and techniques of DNA manipulation and their applications in forensics ...

Experimentally demonstrate genetic transformation, protein purification, and/or gel electrophoresis.

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to refine methodology and optimize the process of genetic transformation, ...

Enrichment: Develop logical arguments based on scientific evidence for and against ethical concerns regarding biotechnol...

Students will analyze and interpret data collected from probability calculations to explain the inheritance of traits wi...

Demonstrate Mendel’s law of dominance and segregation using mathematics to predict phenotypic and genotypic ratios.

Illustrate Mendel’s law of independent assortment by analyzing multi-trait cross data sets for patterns and trends.

Investigate traits that follow non-Mendelian inheritance patterns (e.g., incomplete dominance, codominance, multiple all...

Construct pedigrees from observed phenotypes. Analyze and interpret data to determine patterns of inheritance and diseas...

Enrichment: Construct maps of genes on a chromosome based on data obtained from 2- and/or 3-point crosses or from recomb...

Students will apply population genetic concepts to explain the variability of organisms within a population.

Model the inheritance of chromosomes through meiotic cell division and demonstrate how meiosis and sexual reproduction l...

Explain how natural selection acts upon genetic variability within a population and may lead to changes in allelic frequ...

Describe processes that cause changes in allelic frequencies (e.g., nonrandom mating, small population size, immigration...

Apply the Hardy-Weinberg formula to analyze changes in allelic frequencies due to natural selection in a population. Rel...

Enrichment: Analyze computer simulations of the effects of natural selection on allelic frequencies in a population.

Enrichment: Apply the concept of natural selection to analyze differences in human populations (e.g., skin color, lactos...

Enrichment: Use genomic databases for sequence analysis and apply the information to species comparisons, evolutionary r...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of how anatomical structures and physiological functions are organized and de...

Students will investigate the structures and functions of the cardiovascular system, including the cause and effect of d...

Design and use models to investigate the functions of the organs of the cardiovascular system.

Describe the flow of blood through the pulmonary system and systemic circulation.

Investigate the structure and function of different types of blood vessels (e.g., arteries, capillaries, veins). Identif...

Demonstrate the role of valves in regulating blood flow.

Plan and conduct an investigation to test the effects of various stimuli on heart rate and/or blood pressure. Construct ...

Research and analyze the effects of various pathological conditions (e.g., hypertension, myocardial infarction, mitral v...

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to develop, model, and test effective treatments for cardiovascular diseas...

Apply appropriate anatomical terminology when explaining the orientation of regions, directions, and body planes or sect...

Students will investigate the structures and functions of the lymphatic system, including the cause and effect of diseas...

Analyze the functions of leukocytes, lymph, and lymphatic organs in the immune system.

Compare the primary functions of the lymphatic system and its relationship to the cardiovascular system.

Compare and contrast the body’s non-specific and specific lines of defense, including an analysis of the roles of variou...

Correlate the functions of the spleen, thymus, lymph nodes, and lymphocytes to the development of immunity.

Differentiate the role of B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes in the development of humoral and cell-mediated immunity and p...

Investigate various forms of acquired and passive immunity (e.g., fetal immunity, breastfed babies, vaccinations, and pl...

Research and analyze the causes and effects of various pathological conditions (e.g., viral infections, auto-immune diso...

Locate organs and their applicable body cavities and systems.

Students will investigate the structures and functions of the respiratory system, including the cause and effect of dise...

Design and use models to illustrate the functions of the organs of the respiratory system.

Describe structural adaptations of the respiratory tract and relate these structural features to the function of prepari...

Identify the five mechanics of gas exchange: pulmonary ventilation, external respiration, transport gases, internal resp...

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to develop a model of the mechanisms that support breathing and illustrate...

Research and analyze the causes and effects of various pathological conditions (e.g., asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, and...

Research and discuss new environmental causes of respiratory distress (e.g., e-cigarettes, environmental pollutants, and...

Investigate the interdependence of the various body systems to each other and to the body as a whole.

Students will investigate the structures and functions of the digestive system, including the cause and effect of diseas...

Analyze the structure-function relationship in organs of the digestive system.

Use models to describe structural adaptations present in each organ of the tract and correlate the structures to specifi...

Identify the accessory organs (i.e., salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas) for digestion and describe their...

Plan and conduct an experiment to illustrate the necessity of mechanical digestion for efficient chemical digestion.

Research and analyze the activity of digestive enzymes within different organs of the digestive tract, connecting enzyme...

Evaluate the role of hormones (i.e., gastrin, leptin, and insulin) in the regulation of hunger and satiety/fullness.

Research and analyze the causes and effects of various pathological conditions (e.g., GERD/acid reflux, stomach ulcers, ...

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to develop effective treatments for gastrointestinal diseases (e.g., metho...

Students will investigate the structures and functions of the urinary system, including the cause and effect of diseases...

Understand the structure and function of the urinary system in relation to maintenance of homeostasis.

Describe the processes of filtration and selective reabsorption within the nephrons as it relates to the formation of ur...

Investigate relationship between urine composition and the maintenance of blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood volume.

Enrichment: Conduct a urinalysis to compare the composition of urine from various “patients.”

Develop and use models to illustrate the path of urine through the urinary tract.

Research and analyze the causes and effects of various pathological conditions and other kidney abnormalities (e.g., kid...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the relationship of cells and tissues that form complex structures of the ...

Analyze the characteristics of the four main tissue types: epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous. Examine tissues ...

Construct a model to demonstrate how the structural organization of cells in a tissue relates to the specialized functio...

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to research and develop medications (i.e., targeted cancer therapy drugs) ...

Students will investigate the structures and functions of the integumentary system, including the cause and effect of di...

Identify structures and explain the functions of the integumentary system, including layers of skin, accessory structure...

Investigate specific mechanisms (e.g., feedback and temperature regulation) through which the skin maintains homeostasis...

Research and analyze the causes and effects of various pathological conditions (e.g., burns, skin cancer, bacterial/vira...

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to design and model/simulate effective treatments for skin disorders (e.g....

Students will investigate the structures and functions of the skeletal system including the cause and effect of diseases...

Use models to compare the structure and function of the skeletal system.

Develop and use models to identify and classify major bones as part of the appendicular or axial skeleton.

Identify and classify types of joints and their movement.

Demonstrate an understanding of the growth and development of the skeletal system, differentiating between endochondral ...

Construct explanations detailing how mechanisms (e.g., Ca2+ regulation) are used by the skeletal system to maintain home...

Research and analyze various pathological conditions (e.g., bone fractures, osteoporosis, bone cancers, various types of...

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to develop, model, and test effective treatments for bone disorders (i.e.,...

Students will investigate the structures and functions of the muscular system, including the cause and effect of disease...

Develop and use models to illustrate muscle structure, muscle locations and groups, actions, origins, and insertions.

Describe the structure and function of the skeletal muscle fiber and the motor unit.

Explain the molecular mechanism of muscle contraction and relaxation.

Use models to locate the major muscles and investigate the movements controlled by each muscle.

Compare and contrast the anatomy and physiology of the three types of muscle tissue.

Use technology to plan and conduct an investigation that demonstrates the physiology of muscle contraction, muscle fatig...

Research and analyze the causes and effects of various pathological conditions, (e.g., fibromyalgia, muscular dystrophy,...

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to develop effective ergonomic devices to prevent muscle fatigue and strai...

Students will investigate the structures and functions of the nervous system, including the cause and effect of diseases...

Describe and evaluate how the nervous system functions and interconnects with all other body systems.

Analyze the structure and function of neurons and their supporting neuroglia cells (e.g., astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, ...

Discuss the structure and function of the brain and spinal cord.

Compare and contrast the structures and functions of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Investigate how the sys...

Enrichment: Plan and conduct an experiment to test reflex response rates under varying conditions. Using technology, con...

Describe the major characteristics of the autonomic nervous system. Contrast the roles of the sympathetic and parasympat...

Describe the structure and function of the special senses (i.e., vision, hearing, taste, and olfaction).

Research and analyze the causes and effects of various pathological conditions (e.g., addiction, depression, schizophren...

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to develop, model, and test preventative devices for neurological injuries...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the major organs of the endocrine system and the associated hormonal produ...

Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to illustrate that the endocrine glands secrete hormones that help the bod...

Discuss the function of each endocrine gland and the various hormones secreted.

Model specific mechanisms through which the endocrine system maintains homeostasis (e.g., insulin/glucagon and glucose r...

Research and analyze the effects of various pathological conditions (e.g., diabetes mellitus, pituitary dwarfism, Graves...

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to develop effective treatments for endocrine disorders (e.g., methods to ...

Students will investigate the structures and functions of the male and female reproductive system, including the cause a...

Compare and contrast the structure and function of the male and female reproductive systems.

Describe the male reproductive anatomy and relate structure to sperm production and release.

Describe the female reproductive anatomy and relate structure to egg production and release.

Construct explanations detailing the role of hormones in the regulation of sperm and egg development. Analyze the role o...

Evaluate and communicate information about various contraceptive methods to prevent fertilization and/or implantation.

Describe the changes that occur during embryonic/fetal development, birth, and the growth and development from infancy, ...

Research and analyze the causes and effects of various pathological conditions (e.g., infertility, ovarian cysts, endome...

Students will analyze the structure and functions of blood and its role in maintaining homeostasis.

Describe the structure, function, and origin of the cellular components and plasma components of blood.

Distinguish the cellular difference between the ABO blood groups and investigate blood type differences utilizing antibo...

Research and analyze the causes and effects of various pathological conditions (e.g., anemia, malaria, leukemia, hemophi...

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to develop effective treatments for blood disorders (e.g., methods to regu...

Students will develop an understanding of the unique physical and chemical properties of water and how those properties ...

Characterize the physical and chemical properties of water, including specific heat, surface temperature, universal solv...

Describe the role of water within biological systems (e.g., provides the medium necessary to allow for life processes su...

Diagram, utilizing digital or physical models, the water cycle and how it relates to the total amount of fresh water ava...

Collect, analyze, and communicate quantitative data that includes dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, salinity, mineral c...

Research, analyze, and communicate current technology and career opportunities available to collect this data on a globa...

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to reduce the effects of pollution in aquatic ecosystems (e.g., microplast...

Students will develop an understanding of the principles of fluid dynamics as it relates to both salt and freshwater sys...

Characterize wave features and wave properties, including wavelength, period, wave speed, breakers, and constructive wav...

Survey predictable patterns of tides (i.e., tidal period and range, diurnal, semidiurnal, mixed, spring, and neap tides)...

Summarize principles related to currents (e.g., global wind patterns, Coriolis effect, Ekman spiral, surface, thermohali...

Research, analyze, and communicate scientific arguments to support climate models that predict how global and regional c...

Distinguish between lentic and lotic water systems, including water flow, seasonal overturn, and watershed mapping.

Students will understand the principles of plate tectonics, sea floor spreading, and physical features of oceanic zones.

Use geospatial data to analyze, explain, and communicate differences among the major geological features of specific aqu...

Develop an understanding of plate tectonics to predict certain geological features (e.g., sea floor spreading, paleomagn...

Classify zones of the ocean based on distance from shorelines (i.e., intertidal, neritic, oceanic, and benthic zones), t...

Classify zones of freshwater sources based on the velocity of current, depth, and temperature.

Students will examine characteristics of specific aquatic ecosystems and the effects of human and natural phenomena on t...

Compare and contrast the unique biotic and abiotic characteristics of the following selected aquatic ecosystems: interti...

Recognize representative examples of plants and animals that would be specifically adapted to the aquatic ecosystems and...

Determine the niches within trophic levels in the aquatic ecosystems by creating food webs and researching the symbiotic...

Research, analyze, and communicate the effects of urbanization and continued expansion by humans on the aquatic ecosyste...

Explore the importance of species diversity to the biological resources needed by human populations, including food (e.g...

Research, analyze, and communicate the effects of natural phenomena (e.g., hurricanes, floods, drought, and sea-level ri...

Research, analyze, and communicate which and in what capacity local, state, and federal regulatory agencies are involved...

Enrichment: Choose an environmental issue that currently exists in one of the aquatic ecosystems and use an engineering ...

Students will explore the biodiversity and interactions among aquatic life.

Survey common primary producers and their roles in primary production in relation to geographical distribution within va...

List and describe common autotrophs that may be found in particular aquatic ecosystems, including prokaryotes (e.g., Cya...

Recognize characteristics that are shared and derived using graphical representations of primary-producer evolution and ...

Use dichotomous keys to identify sample producers within an aquatic ecosystem.

Paraphrase energy conversion processes (e.g., photosynthesis and chemosynthesis).

Enrichment: Research, analyze, and communicate historical and current methodologies for measuring primary productivity. ...

Students will investigate characteristics of aquatic invertebrates.

Characterize aquatic representatives of the following taxa: Protozoa (e.g., foraminiferans, radiolarians, amoeba, and pa...

Identify characteristics that are shared and derived using graphical representations of animal evolution (i.e., cladogra...

Develop a dichotomous classification key to be used in the identification of sample aquatic invertebrates.

Compare and contrast major body plans (e.g., asymmetry, radial, bilateral symmetry, acoelomate, pseudocoelomate, and euc...

Explain various life cycles found among animals (e.g., polyp and medusa in cnidarians, multiple hosts and stages in the ...

Dissect representative taxa (e.g., clam and squid), collect data, compare their internal and external anatomy, analyze, ...

Using key morphological and physiological adaptations found within animal taxa, assess how animals interact with their e...

Enrichment: Given a niche in a specific environment, use an engineering design process to design an animal, listing char...

Students will investigate characteristics of aquatic chordates.

Characterize aquatic representatives of the following taxa: Hemichordata, Urochordata, Cephalochordata, and Vertebrata (...

Identify characteristics that are shared and derived using graphical representations of animal evolution and develop cla...

Utilize a dichotomous key to identify select aquatic vertebrates.

Differentiate various life cycles found among animals (e.g., egg, tadpole, and adult stages of the amphibian life cycle;...

Dissect representative taxa (e.g., shark, fish); collect data; compare their internal and external anatomy; and analyze,...

Using key morphological and physiological adaptations found within aquatic vertebrate taxa, assess how animals interact ...

Enrichment: Given a niche in a specific environment, use an engineering design process to design an animal, listing char...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the nature of matter.

Use contextual evidence to describe particle theory of matter. Examine the particle properties of solids, liquids, and g...

Use scientific research to generate models to compare physical and chemical properties of elements, compounds, and mixtu...

Conduct an investigation to determine the identity of unknown substances by comparing properties to known substances.

Design and conduct investigations to explore techniques in measurements of mass, volume, length, and temperature.

Design and conduct an investigation using graphical analysis (e.g., line graph) to determine the density of liquids and/...

Use mathematical and computational analysis to solve density problems. Manipulate the density formula to determine densi...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of both modern and historical theories of atomic structure.

Research and develop models (e.g., 3-D models, online simulations, or ball and stick) to investigate both modern and his...

Students will analyze the organization of the periodic table of elements to predict atomic interactions.

Use contextual evidence to determine the organization of the periodic table, including metals, metalloids, and nonmetals...

Using the periodic table and scientific methods, investigate the formation of compounds through ionic and covalent bondi...

Using naming conventions for binary compounds, write the compound name from the formula, and write balanced formulas fro...

Use naming conventions to name common acids and common compounds used in classroom labs (e.g., sodium bicarbonate (bakin...

Use mathematical and computational analysis to determine the atomic mass of binary compounds.

Students will analyze changes in matter and the relationship of these changes to the law of conservation of matter and e...

Design and conduct experiments to investigate physical and chemical changes of various household products (e.g., rusting...

Design and conduct investigations to produce evidence that mass is conserved in chemical reactions (e.g., vinegar and ba...

Apply the concept of conservation of matter to balancing simple chemical equations.

Use mathematical and computational analysis to examine evidence that mass is conserved in chemical reactions using simpl...

Research nuclear reactions and their uses in the modern world, exploring concepts such as fusion, fission, stars as reac...

Analyze and debate the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear reactions as energy sources.

Students will analyze the scientific principles of motion, force, and work.

Research the scientific contributions of Newton and use models to communicate Newton’s principles.

Design and conduct an investigation to study the motion of an object using properties such as displacement, time of moti...

Collect, organize, and interpret graphical data using correct metric units to determine the average speed of an object.

Use mathematical and computational analyses to show the relationships among force, mass, and acceleration (i.e., Newton’...

Design and construct an investigation using probe systems and/or online simulations to observe relationships between for...

Use an engineering design process and mathematical analysis to design and construct models to demonstrate the law of con...

Use mathematical and computational representations to create graphs and formulas that describe the relationships between...

Research the efficiency of everyday machines and debate ways to improve their economic impact on society (e.g., electric...

Students will explore the characteristics of waves.

Use models to analyze and describe examples of mechanical waves’ properties (e.g., wavelength, frequency, speed, amplitu...

Analyze examples and evidence of transverse and longitudinal waves found in nature (e.g., earthquakes, ocean waves, and ...

Generate wave models to explore energy transference.

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to design and build a musical instrument to demonstrate the influence of r...

Design and conduct experiments to investigate technological applications of sound (e.g., medical uses, music, acoustics,...

Research real-world applications to create models or visible representations of the electromagnetic spectrum, including ...

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to design and construct an apparatus that forms images to project on a scr...

Enrichment: Debate the particle/wave behavior of light.

Students will examine different forms of energy and energy transformations.

Using digital resources, explore forms of energy (e.g., potential, kinetic, mechanical, chemical, electrical, thermal, r...

Use scientific investigations to explore the transformation of energy from one type to another (e.g., potential to kinet...

Using mathematical and computational analysis, calculate potential and kinetic energy based on given data. Use equations...

Conduct investigations to provide evidence of the conservation of energy as energy is converted from one form of energy ...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of temperature scales, heat, and thermal energy transfer.

Compare and contrast temperature scales by converting between Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin.

Apply particle theory to phase change and analyze freezing point, melting point, boiling point, vaporization, and conden...

Relate thermal energy transfer to real world applications of conduction (e.g., quenching metals), convection (e.g., move...

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to construct a simulation of heat energy transfer between systems. Calcula...

Students will explore basic principles of magnetism and electricity (e.g., static electricity, current electricity, and ...

Use digital resources and online simulations to investigate the basic principles of electricity, including static electr...

Distinguish between magnets, motors, and generators, and evaluate modern industrial uses of each.

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to construct a working electric motor to perform a task. Communicate the d...

Use an engineering design process to construct and test conductors, semiconductors, and insulators using various materia...

Students will investigate and understand how to analyze and interpret data.

Investigate and analyze evidence gained through observation or experimental design regarding the one-dimensional (1-D) m...

Interpret and predict 1-D motion based on displacement vs. time, velocity vs. time, or acceleration vs. time graphs (e.g...

Use mathematical and computational analysis to solve problems using kinematic equations.

Use graphical analysis to derive kinematic equations.

Differentiate and give examples of motion concepts such as distance-displacement, speed-velocity, and acceleration.

Design and mathematically/graphically analyze quantitative data to explore displacement, velocity, and acceleration of v...

Design different scenarios, and predict graph shapes for distance/time, velocity/time, and acceleration/time graphs.

Given a 1D motion graph students should replicate the motion predicted by the graph.

Students will develop an understanding of concepts related to Newtonian dynamics.

Identify forces acting on a system by applying Newton’s laws mathematically and graphically (e.g., vector and scalar qua...

Apply the effects of the universal gravitation law to generate a digital/physical graph, and interpret the forces betwee...

Explain centripetal acceleration while undergoing uniform circular motion to explore Kepler’s third law using online sim...

Use models such as free-body diagrams to explain and predict the motion of an object according to Newton's law of motion...

Use mathematical and graphical techniques to solve vector problems and find net forces acting on a body using free-body ...

Use vectors and mathematical analysis to explore the 2D motion of objects. (i.e., projectile and circular motion).

Use mathematical and computational analysis to derive simple equations of motion for various systems using Newton’s seco...

Use mathematical and computational analysis to explore forces (e.g., friction, force applied, normal, and tension).

Analyze real-world applications to draw conclusions about Newton’s three laws of motion using online simulations, probe ...

Design an experiment to determine the forces acting on a stationary object on an inclined plane. Test your conclusions.

Draw diagrams of forces applied to an object and predict the angle of incline that will result in unbalanced forces acti...

Students will develop an understanding of concepts related to work and energy.

Use mathematical and computational analysis to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the concept of work, energy, and...

Enrichment: Research the efficiency of everyday machines (e.g., automobiles, hair dryers, refrigerators, and washing mac...

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to design and build a themed Rube Goldberg-type machine that has six or mo...

Use mathematical and computational analysis to explore conservation of momentum and impulse.

Through real-world applications, draw conclusions about mechanical potential energy and kinetic energy using online simu...

Design and conduct investigations to compare conservation of momentum and conservation of kinetic energy in perfectly in...

Investigate, collect data, and summarize the principles of thermodynamics by exploring how heat energy is transferred fr...

Enrichment: Design, conduct, and communicate investigations that explore how temperature and thermal energy relate to mo...

Enrichment: Use mathematical and computational analysis to analyze problems involving specific heat and heat capacity.

Enrichment: Research to compare the first and second laws of thermodynamics as related to heat engines, refrigerators, a...

Explore the kinetic theory in terms of kinetic energy of ideal gases using digital resources.

Students will investigate and explore wave properties.

Analyze the characteristics and properties of simple harmonic motions, sound, and light.

Enrichment: Research the ways absorption and emission spectra are used to study astronomy and the formation of the unive...

Enrichment: Research digital nonfictional text to defend the wave-particle duality of light (i.e., wave model of light a...

Enrichment: Research uses of the electromagnetic spectrum or photoelectric effect.

Describe and model through digital or physical means the characteristics and properties of mechanical waves by simulatin...

Use mathematical and computational analysis to explore wave characteristics (e.g., velocity, period, frequency, amplitud...

Investigate and communicate the relationship between the energy of a wave in terms of amplitude and frequency using prob...

Design, investigate, and collect data on standing waves and waves in specific media (e.g., stretched string, water surfa...

Explore and explain the Doppler effect as it relates to a moving source and to a moving observer using online simulation...

Explain the laws of reflection and refraction and apply Snell’s law to describe the relationship between the angles of i...

Use ray diagrams and thin lens equations to solve real-world problems involving object distance from lenses, using a len...

Research the different bands of electromagnetic radiation, including characteristics, properties, and similarities/diffe...

Students will investigate the key components of electricity and magnetism.

Analyze and explain electricity and the relationship between electricity and magnetism.

Explore the characteristics of static charge and how a static charge is generated using simulations.

Use mathematical and computational analysis to analyze problems dealing with electric field, electric potential, current...

Develop and use models (e.g., circuit drawing and mathematical representation) to explain how electric circuits work by ...

Design and conduct an investigation of magnetic poles, magnetic flux and magnetic field using online simulations, probe ...

Use schematic diagrams to analyze the current flow in series and parallel electric circuits, given the component resista...

Analyze and communicate the relationship between magnetic fields and electrical current by induction, generators, and el...

Enrichment: Design and construct a simple motor to develop an explanation of how the motor transforms electrical energy ...

Enrichment: Design and draw a schematic of a circuit that will turn on/off a light from two locations in a room like tho...

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles of nuclear energy.

Analyze and explain the concepts of nuclear physics.

Explore the mass number and atomic number of the nucleus of an isotope of a given chemical element.

Investigate the conservation of mass and the conservation of charge by writing and balancing nuclear decay equations for...

Simulate the process of nuclear decay using online simulations and/or laboratory experiences and using mathematical comp...

Students will develop a model of evolutionary change over time.

Students will understand the structure and function of phylum Chordata, class Mammalia, and how they demonstrate the cha...

Understand the characteristics and behaviors that distinguish mammals from other phyla and use characteristics and behav...

Describe the characteristics of the first true mammal.

Distinguish between monotremes, marsupials, and eutherians, and describe the importance and differences in the placenta ...

Describe characteristics that make primates unique, including investigating how the center of gravity relates to the evo...

Dissect representative taxa and compare their internal and external anatomy and complexity.

Explain how human impacts have changed the environment of aquatic and terrestrial organisms (e.g., habitat destruction, ...

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to develop a possible solution to an environmental issue that currently ex...

Develop and use dichotomous keys to distinguish animals from protists, plants, and fungi.

Describe how fossil records document the history of life on Earth.

Recognize that the classification of living organisms is based on their evolutionary history and/or similarities in foss...

Construct cladograms or phylogenetic trees to show the evolutionary branches of an ancestral species and its descendants...

Design models to illustrate the interaction between changing environments and genetic variation in natural selection lea...

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to develop an artificial habitat to meet the requirements of a population ...

Students will understand the structure and function of phylum Porifera and phylum Cnidaria and how each adapts to their ...

Differentiate among asymmetry, radial symmetry, and bilateral symmetry in an animal’s body plan.

Create a digital or physical model illustrating the anatomy of a cnidarian, citing similarities and differences between ...

Identify the anatomy and physiology of a sponge, including how specialized cells within sponges work cooperatively witho...

Describe the importance of phylum Porifera in aquatic habitats.

Create a model, either physical or digital, illustrating the anatomy of a sponge, tracing the flow of water.

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to determine the quantity of water that may be absorbed per unit in a natu...

Contrast the polyp lifestyle of most Cnidarians with the medusa lifestyle of jellyfish, including how they both utilize ...

Describe how nematocysts (stinging cells) of Cnidarians are used for capturing food and for defense.

Enrichment: Utilize an engineering design process to create a simulated nematocyst, including possible biomimicry use. *

Describe the ecological importance of and human impacts on coral reefs.

Students will understand the structure and function of phylum Mollusca, and how they adapt to their environments.

Considering the diversity of mollusks, explain how they all share a common body plan (i.e., mantle, visceral mass, and f...

Describe why mollusks are classified as eucoelomates.

Explain how the mantle is used in forming the shell.

Describe how the radula is used in feeding.

Develop a dichotomous key to contrast characteristics of gastropods, bivalves, and cephalopods.

Examine how the unique characteristics of cephalopods lead to survival.

Create a model comparing the anatomy of gastropods, bivalves, and cephalopods.

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to model the jet propulsion utilized by cephalopods in mechanical design o...

Students will describe the evolution of structure and function of phylum Platyhelminthes, phylum Nematoda, and phylum An...

Define and describe the closed circulatory system of an annelid.

Differentiate between parasitic and free living.

Compare and contrast the characteristics and lifestyles of flatworms, roundworms, and segmented worms.

Create a model comparing acoelomate, pseudocoelomate, and eucoelomate body plans of Platyhelminthes, Nematoda, and Annel...

Describe the evolutionary importance of the segmented body plans of annelids.

Dissect representative taxa and compare their internal and external anatomy and complexity.

Enrichment: Design, conduct, and communicate results of an experiment demonstrating the importance of flatworms, roundwo...

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to design and construct a system to utilize flatworms, roundworms, or anne...

Students will understand the basic structure and function of phylum Arthropoda, and how they demonstrate the characteris...

Describe the evolutionary advantages of segmented bodies, hard exoskeletons, and jointed appendages to arthropods and ho...

Explain how exoskeletons are used in locomotion, protection, and development.

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to develop a biomimicry of an arthropod’s exoskeleton to meet a human need...

Identify organisms and characteristics of chelicerates, crustaceans, and insects.

Describe the importance of toxins for arachnids, (i.e., spiders and scorpions).

Describe the importance of chela for decapods, (i.e., lobsters and crabs).

Differentiate between complete and incomplete metamorphosis in insects’ life cycles.

Explain the importance of eusociality in insects, such as ants, bees, and termites.

Dissect representative taxa and compare their internal and external anatomy and complexity.

Students will understand the structure and function of phylum Echinodermata, and how they demonstrate the characteristic...

Recognize that the echinoderms have spines on their skin that are extensions of plates that form from the endoskeleton.

Explain how the starfish inverts its stomach for external digestion of food.

Describe sea urchins’ and sea cucumbers’ defense structures and behaviors.

Describe the sexual and asexual reproduction of starfish.

Describe how the water vascular system is used for locomotion, feeding, and gas exchange.

Research, analyze, and communicate implications of applying the regeneration of starfish to human medicine.

Dissect representative taxa and compare their internal and external anatomy and complexity.

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to model the water vascular system in hydraulic systems to meet a societal...

Students will understand the structure and function of phylum Chordata, classes Chondrichthyes and Osteichthyes, and how...

Students will understand why evolutionary changes lead to the diversity of fish and how they have adapted to the differe...

Compare and contrast the characteristics of class Chondrichthyes and Osteichthyes.

Identify specific fish species and characteristics that differentiate class Chondrichthyes (e.g., sharks, skates, and ra...

Describe how the body and jaw design of sharks make them adept predators.

Label and describe functions of the anatomical features of bony fish, including internal organs, lateral line system, op...

Research, analyze, and communicate the effects of urbanization and continued expansion by humans on the biodiversity of ...

Dissect representative taxa and compare their internal and external anatomy and complexity.

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to design a “balloon fish” that has neutral buoyancy (i.e., does not sink ...

Students will understand the structure and function of phylum Chordata, classes Amphibia and Reptilia, and how they demo...

Understand the evolution of tetrapods and the development of the structure and function of body systems and life cycles.

Dissect representative taxa and compare their internal and external anatomy and complexity.

Describe the constraints that require amphibians to spend part of their lives in water and part on land, including the m...

Describe adaptations that have led to reptiles living on land successfully.

Define what it means to be ectothermic and identify ways in which reptiles regulate their body temperature.

Describe how snakes use chemosensory to locate and track prey.

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to model biomimicry of ectothermic temperature regulation or chemosensory ...

Compare and contrast living and extinct reptiles.

Explain the importance of tetrapod evolution.

Identify the amniotic egg as the major derived characteristic of reptiles.

Students will understand the structure and function of phylum Chordata, class Aves, and how they demonstrate the charact...

Trace the evolutionary history of modern birds beginning with the theropods. Relate how today’s birds have adapted to ch...

Enrichment: Based on an understanding of biomimicry, use an engineering design process to develop a tool based on a bird...

Describe the parenting behavior used by different birds to incubate their eggs and care for hatchlings.

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to design and construct an incubator for hatching abandoned eggs. *

Explain the reasons for bird migration and the innate behavior of migratory birds.

Dissect representative taxa and compare their internal and external anatomy and complexity.

Describe the fossil evidence that indicates that birds evolved from two-legged dinosaurs called theropods.

Define the term endothermic and describe how birds regulate body temperature in extreme environments.

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to model biomimicry of endothermic temperature regulation to meet a sustai...

Explain how birds of prey use their keen sense of sight to locate and attack prey.

Describe how corvids use their intellect for problem solving and locating food storage.

Explain the importance of the evolution of flight and feathers, including the morphological and physiological adaptation...

Enrichment: Use an engineering design process to utilize a bird’s flight adaptations in the development of a flying airc...

Demonstrate how different adaptations of the bird beak and feet allow them to feed and survive in different environments...