Grade 4
COMPETENCY GOAL 2: The learner will conduct investigations and use appropriate technology to build an understanding of the composition and uses of rocks and minerals.
Objectives
2.02 Recognize that minerals have a definite chemical composition and structure, resulting in specific physical properties including:
Hardness.
Streak color.
Luster.
Magnetism.
2.03 Explain how rocks are composed of minerals.
2.04 Show that different rocks have different properties.
2.05 Discuss and communicate the uses of rocks and minerals.
2.06 Classify rocks and rock-forming minerals using student-made rules.
Grade 5
COMPETENCY GOAL 2: The learner will make observations and conduct investigations to build an understanding of landforms.
Objectives
2.01 Identify and analyze forces that cause change in landforms over time including.
Water and Ice.
Wind.
Gravity.
2.02 Investigate and discuss the role of the water cycle and how movement of water over and through the landscape helps shape land forms.
2.03 Discuss and consider the wearing away and movement of rock and soil in erosion and its importance in forming:
Canyons.
Valleys.
Meanders.
Tributaries.
2.04 Describe the deposition of eroded material and its importance in establishing landforms including:
Deltas.
Flood Plains.
2.05 Discuss how the flow of water and the slope of the land affect erosion.
2.06 Identify and use models, maps, and aerial photographs as ways of representing landforms.
COMPETENCY GOAL 4: The learner will conduct investigations and use appropriate technologies to build an understanding of forces and motion in technological designs.
Objectives
4.02 Evaluate how pushing or pulling forces can change the position and motion of an object.
Moving air.
Gravity.
4.04 Determine that an unbalanced force is needed to move an object or change its direction.
4.05 Determine factors that affect motion including:
Force
Friction.
Inertia.
Momentum
4.06 Build and use a model to solve a mechanical design problem.
Grade 6
COMPETENCY GOAL 1: The learner will design and conduct investigations to demonstrate an understanding of scientific inquiry.
Objectives
1.01 Identify and create questions and hypotheses that can be answered through scientific investigations.
1.02 Develop appropriate experimental procedures for:
Given questions.
Student generated questions.
1.03 Apply safety procedures in the laboratory and in field studies:
Recognize potential hazards.
Manipulate materials and equipment.
Conduct appropriate procedures.
1.04 Analyze variables in scientific investigations:
1.08 Use oral and written language to:
Communicate findings.
Defend conclusions of scientific investigations.
1.09 Use technologies and information systems to:
Research.
Gather and analyze data.
Visualize data.
Disseminate findings to others.
1.10 Analyze and evaluate information from a scientifically literate viewpoint by reading, hearing, and/or viewing:
Scientific text.
Articles.
Events in the popular press.
COMPETENCY GOAL 2: The learner will demonstrate an understanding of technological design.
Objectives
2.01 Explore evidence that "technology" has many definitions.
Artifact or hardware.
Methodology or technique.
System of production.
Social-technical system.
2.02 Use information systems to:
Identify scientific needs, human needs, or problems that are subject to technological solution.
Locate resources to obtain and test ideas.
2.03 Evaluate technological designs for:
Application of scientific principles.
Risks and benefits.
Constraints of design.
Consistent testing protocols.
COMPETENCY GOAL 5: The learner will build understanding of the Solar System.
Objectives
5.01 Analyze the components and cycles of the solar system including:
Sun.
Planets and moons.
Asteroids and meteors.
Comets.
Phases.
Seasons.
Day/year.
Eclipses.
5.02 Compare and contrast the Earth to other planets in terms of:
Size.
Composition.
Relative distance from the sun.
Ability to support life.
5.04 Describe space explorations and the understandings gained from them including:
N.A.S.A.
Technologies used to explore space.
Historic timeline.
Apollo mission to the moon.
Space Shuttle.
International Space Station.
Future goals.
5.05 Describe the setting of the solar system in the universe including:
Galaxy.
Size.
The uniqueness of Earth.
5.06 Analyze the spin-off benefits generated by space exploration technology including:
Medical.
Materials.
Transportation.
Processes.
Future research.
Grade 7
COMPETENCY GOAL 1: The learner will design and conduct investigations to demonstrate an understanding of scientific inquiry.
Objectives
1.01 Identify and create questions and hypotheses that can be answered through scientific investigations.
1.02 Develop appropriate experimental procedures for:
Given questions.
Student generated questions.
1.03 Apply safety procedures in the laboratory and in field studies.
Recognize potential hazards.
Safely manipulate materials and equipment.
Conduct appropriate procedures.
1.04 Analyze variables in scientific investigations:
Identify dependent and independent.
Use of a Control.
Manipulate.
Describe relationships between.
Define operationally.
1.05 Analyze evidence to:
Explain observations.
Make inferences and predictions.
Develop the relationship between evidence and explanation.
1.06 Use mathematics to gather, organize, and present quantitative data resulting from scientific investigations:
Measurement.
Analysis of data.
Graphing.
Prediction models.
1.07 Prepare models and/or computer simulations to:
Test hypotheses.
Evaluate how data fit.
1.08 Use oral and written language to:
Communicate findings.
Defend conclusions of scientific investigations
1.09 Use technologies and information systems to:
Research.
Gather and analyze data.
Visualize data.
Disseminate findings to others.
1.10 Analyze and evaluate information from a scientifically literate viewpoint by reading, hearing, and/or viewing:
Scientific text.
Articles.
Events in the popular press.
Competency Goal 6: The learner will conduct investigations, use models, simulations, and appropriate technologies and information systems to build an understanding of motion and forces.
Objectives
6.03 Evaluate motion in terms of Newton's Laws:
The force of friction retards motion.
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
The greater the force, the greater the change in motion.
An object's motion is the result of the combined effect of all forces acting on the object:
A moving object that is not subjected to a force will continue to move at a constant speed in a straight line
An object at rest will remain at rest.
6.04 Analyze that an object's motion is always judged relative to some other object or point.
6.05 Describe and measure quantities that characterize moving objects and their interactions within a system:
Time.
Distance.
Mass.
Force.
Velocity.
Center of mass.
Acceleration.
Grade 8
COMPETENCY GOAL 1: The learner will design and conduct investigations to demonstrate an understanding of scientific inquiry.
Objectives
1.01 Identify and create questions and hypotheses that can be answered through scientific investigations.
1.02 Develop appropriate experimental procedures for:
Given questions.
Student generated questions.
1.03 Apply safety procedures in the laboratory and in field studies:
Recognize potential hazards.
Safely manipulate materials and equipment.
Conduct appropriate procedures.
1.04 Analyze variables in scientific investigations:
Identify dependent and independent.
Use of a control.
Manipulate.
Describe relationships between.
Define operationally.
1.05 Analyze evidence to:
explain observations.
make inferences and predictions.
develop the relationship between evidence and explanation.
1.06 Use mathematics to gather, organize, and present quantitative data resulting from scientific investigations:
Measurement.
Analysis of data.
Graphing.
Prediction models.
1.07 Prepare models and/or computer simulations to:
Test hypotheses.
Evaluate how data fit.
Make predictions.
1.08 Use oral and written language to:
Communicate findings.
Defend conclusions of scientific investigations.
Describe strengths and weaknesses of claims, arguments, and/or data
1.09 Use technologies and information systems to:
Research.
Gather and analyze data.
Visualize data.
Disseminate findings to others.
1.10 Analyze and evaluate information from a scientifically literate viewpoint by reading, hearing, and/or viewing:
Scientific text.
Articles.
Events in the popular press.
COMPETENCY GOAL 2: The learner will demonstrate an understanding of technological design.
Objectives
2.01 Explore evidence that "technology" has many definitions.
Artifact or hardware.
Methodology or technique.
System of production.
Social-technical system.
2.02 Use information systems to:
Identify scientific needs, human needs, or problems that are subject to technological solution.
Locate resources to obtain and test ideas.
2.03 Evaluate technological designs for:
Application of scientific principles.
Risks and benefits.
Constraints of design.
Consistent testing protocols.
2.04 Apply tenets of technological design to make informed consumer decisions about:
Products.
Processes.
Systems.
Earth/Environmental Science Grades 9-12
COMPETENCY GOAL 1: The learner will develop abilities necessary to do and understand scientific inquiry in the earth and environmental sciences.
Objectives
1.01 Identify questions and problems in the earth and environmental sciences that can be answered through scientific investigations.
1.02 Design and conduct scientific investigations to answer questions related to earth and environmental science.
Create testable hypotheses
Identify variables.
Use a control or comparison group when appropriate.
Select and use appropriate measurement tools.
Collect and record data.
Organize data into charts and graphs.
Analyze and interpret data.
Communicate findings.
1.03 Evaluate the uses of satellite images and imaging techniques in the earth and environmental sciences.
1.04 Apply safety procedures in the laboratory and in field studies:
Recognize and avoid potential hazards.
Safely manipulate materials and equipment needed for scientific investigations.
1.05 Analyze reports of scientific investigations and environmental issues from an informed scientifically literate viewpoint including considerations of:
Appropriate sample.
Adequacy of experimental controls.
Replication of findings.
Alternative interpretations of the data.
1.06 Identify and evaluate a range of possible solutions to earth and environmental issues at the local, national, and global level including considerations of:
Interdependent human and natural systems.
Diverse perspectives.
Short and long range impacts.
Economic development, environmental quality and sustainability.
Opportunities for and consequences of personal decisions.
Risks and benefits of technological advances.
COMPETENCY GOAL 6: The learner will acquire an understanding of the earth in the solar system and its position in the universe.
Objectives
6.01 Analyze the theories of the formation of the universe and solar system.
6.02 Analyze planetary motion and the physical laws that explain that motion:
Rotation.
Revolution.
Apparent diurnal motions of the stars, sun and moon.
Effects of the tilt of the earth's axis.
6.04 Assess the spectra generated by stars and our sun as indicators of motion and composition (the Doppler effect).
6.05 Evaluate astronomers' use of various technologies to extend their senses:
Optical telescopes.
Cameras.
Radio telescopes.
Spectroscope.
Physical Science
COMPETENCY GOAL 1: The learner will develop abilities necessary to do and understand scientific inquiry.
Objectives
1.01 Identify questions and problems that can be answered through scientific investigations.
1.02 Design and conduct scientific investigations to answer questions about the physical world.
Create testable hypotheses.
Identify variables.
Use a control or comparison group when appropriate.
Select and use appropriate measurement tools.
Collect and record data.
Organize data into charts and graphs.
Analyze and interpret data.
Communicate findings.
1.03 Formulate and revise scientific explanations and models using logic and evidence to:
Explain observations.
Make inferences and predictions.
Explain the relationship between evidence and explanation.
1.04 Apply safety procedures in the laboratory and in field studies:
Recognize and avoid potential hazards.
Safely manipulate materials and equipment needed for scientific investigations.
1.05 Analyze reports of scientific investigations from an informed scientifically literate viewpoint including considerations of:
Appropriate sample.
Adequacy of experimental controls.
Replication of findings.
Alternative interpretations of the data.
COMPETENCY GOAL 2: The learner will construct an understanding of forces and motion.
Objectives
2.01 Measure and mathematically/graphically analyze motion:
Frame of reference (all motion is relative - there is no motionless frame).
Uniform motion.
Acceleration.
2.02 Investigate and analyze forces as interactions that can change motion:
In the absence of a force, an object in motion will remain in motion or an object at rest will remain at rest until acted on by an unbalanced force.
Change in motion of an object (acceleration) is directly proportional to the unbalanced outside force and inversely proportional to the mass.
Whenever one object exerts a force on another, an equal and opposite force is exerted by the second on the first.
