Grade Span K-4
CONTENT STANDARD
1. CONCEPTS AND PROCESSES
In the context of unifying concepts and processes, students develop an understanding of scientific content through inquiry. Science is a dynamic process; concepts and content are best learned through inquiry and investiagion.
BENCHMARK
GRADE 4
UNIFYING CONCEPTS AND PROCESSES
Concepts in LIFE SYSTEMS and EARTH, SPACE, and PHYSICAL SYSTEMS are taught within the context of the following Unifying Concepts and Processes of Science:
• Systems, classification, order, and
• Evidence, models, and explanations
• Cycles and change over time
• Measurement
• Form and function
CONTENT STANDARD
2. SCIENCE AS INQUIRY
Students demonstrate knowledge, skills, and habits of mind necessary to safely perform scientific inquiry. Inquiry is the foundation for the development of content, teaching students the use of processes of science that enable them to construct and develop their own knowledge. Inquiry requires appropriate field, classroom, and laboratory experiences with suitable facilities and equipment.
BENCHMARK
GRADE 4
1. Students research answers to science questions and present findings through appropriate means.
2. Students use the inquiry process to conduct simple scientific investigations.
A. Collect and organize data
B. Use data to construct simple graphs, charts, diagrams, and/or models
C. Draw conclusions and accurately communicate results, making connections to daily life
D. Pose or identify questions and make predictions
E. Conduct investigations to answer questions and check predictions
3. Students identify and use appropriate scientific equipment.
4. Students properly use safety equipment and recognize hazards and safety symbols while practicing standard safety procedures.
CONTENT STANDARD
3. HISTORY AND NATURE OF SCIENCE IN PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DECISIONS
Students recognize the nature of science, its history, and its connections to personal, social, economic, and political decisions. Historically, scientific events have had significant impacts on our cultural heritage.
BENCHMARK
GRADE 4
1. Students recognize the nature and history of science.
A. Discuss how scientific ideas change over time
B. Describe contributions of scientists
2. Students recognize how scientific information is used to make decisions.
A. Identify and describe local science issues, such as environmental hazards or resource management
B. Suggest feasible solutions and personal action plans to address an identified issue
Grade Span 5-8
CONTENT STANDARD
1. CONCEPTS AND PROCESSES
In the context of unifying concepts and processes, students develop an understanding of scientific content
through inquiry. Science is a dynamic process; concepts and content are best learned through inquiry and
investigation.
BENCHMARK
GRADE 8
UNIFYING CONCEPTS AND PROCESSES
Concepts in LIFE SYSTEMS and EARTH, SPACE, and
PHYSICAL SYSTEMS are taught within the context of the
following Unifying Concepts and Processes of Science:
• Systems, classification, order and organization
• Evidence, models, and explanations
• Change, constancy, and measurement
• Evolution and equilibrium
• Form and function
CONTENT STANDARD
2. SCIENCE AS INQUIRY
Students demonstrate knowledge, skills, and habits of mind necessary to safely perform scientific inquiry.
Inquiry is the foundation for the development of content, teaching students the use of processes of science that
enable them to construct and develop their own knowledge. Inquiry requires appropriate field, classroom, and
laboratory experiences with suitable facilities and equipment.
BENCHMARK
GRADE 8
1. Students research scientific information and present findings through appropriate means.
2. Students use inquiry to conduct scientific investigations.
• Ask questions that lead to conducting an investigation
• Collect, organize, and analyze and appropriately
represent data.
• Draw conclusions based on evidence and make
connections to applied scientific concepts.
• Clearly and accurately communicate the result of the
investigation.
3. Students clearly and accurately communicate the result of their own work, as well as information obtained from other sources.
4. Students recognize the relationship between science and technology in meeting human needs.
5. Students properly use appropriate scientific and safety equipment, recognize hazards and safety symbols, and observe standard safety procedures.
CONTENT STANDARD
3. HISTORY AND NATURE OF SCIENCE IN PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DECISIONS
Students recognize the nature of science, its history, and its connections to personal, social, economic, and political decisions. Historically, scientific events have had significant impacts on our cultural heritage.
BENCHMARK
GRADE 8
1. Students explore the nature and history of science.
A. Students explore how scientific knowledge changes and grows over time, and impacts personal and social decisions.
B. Students explore the historical use of scientific information to make personal and social decisions.
2. Students explore how scientific information is used to make decisions.
A. The role of science in solving personal, local, and national problems
B. Interdisciplinary connections of the sciences and connections to other subject areas and careers in science or technical fields
Grade Span 9-12
CONTENT STANDARD
1. CONCEPTS AND PROCESSES
In the context of unifying concepts and processes, students develop an understanding of scientific content
through inquiry. Science is a dynamic process; concepts and content are best learned through inquiry and
investigation.
BENCHMARK
GRADE 11
UNIFYING CONCEPTS AND PROCESSES
Concepts in LIFE SYSTEMS and EARTH, SPACE, and PHYSICAL
SYSTEMS are taught within the context of the following Unifying
Concepts and Processes of Science:
• Systems, classification, order and organization
• Evidence, models, and explanations
• Change, constancy, and measurement
• Evolution and equilibrium
• Form and function
CONTENT STANDARD
2. SCIENCE AS INQUIRY
Students demonstrate knowledge, skills, and habits of mind necessary to safely perform scientific inquiry.
Inquiry is the foundation for the development of content, teaching students the use of processes of science that
enable them to construct and develop their own knowledge. Inquiry requires appropriate field, classroom, and
laboratory experiences with suitable facilities and equipment.
BENCHMARK
GRADE 11
1. Students research scientific information and present findings through appropriate means.
2. Students use inquiry to conduct scientific investigations.
• Pose problems and identify questions and concepts to
design and conduct an investigation.
• Collect, organize, analyze and appropriately represent
data.
• Give priority to evidence in drawing conclusions and
making connections to scientific concepts.
• Clearly and accurately communicate the result of the
investigation.
3. Students clearly and accurately communicate the result of their own work as well as information from other sources.
4. Students investigate the relationships between science technology and the role of technological design in meeting human needs.
5. Students properly use appropriate scientific and safety equipment, recognize hazards and safety symbols, and observe standard safety procedures.
CONTENT STANDARD
3. HISTORY AND NATURE OF SCIENCE IN PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DECISIONS
Students recognize the nature of science, its history, and its connections to personal, social, economic, and
political decisions. Historically, scientific events have had significant impacts on our cultural heritage.
BENCHMARK
GRADE 11
1. Students examine the nature and history of science.
• As scientific knowledge evolves, it impacts personal, social, economic, and political decisions.
• The historical misuse of scientific information to make personal, social, economic, and political decisions.
2. Students examine how scientific information is used to make decisions.
• Interdisciplinary connections of the sciences and connections to other subject areas and career opportunities.
• The role of science in solving personal, local, national, and global problems.
