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Students will design and conduct scientific investigations
- Identify questions that can be answered through scientific
investigations
- Use appropriate tools, technology, and techniques to gather,
analyze, and interpret data
- Organize and maintain a journal showing all phases of investigations
- Develop descriptions, explanations, predictions, and models
using evidence and logic
- Use mathematics to explain, interpret, and improve investigations
and communications
- Construct logical relationships between evidence and explanations
- Identify and analyze alternative explanations, models, and
predictions
- Demonstrate understanding about scientific inquiry
- Use fair test procedures
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Students will communicate scientific procedures and
explanations
- Demonstrate effective methods to organize and display scientific
concepts
- Present investigative procedures and results to others verbally,
graphically, and in writing
- Communicate science concepts accurately and clearly, using
scientific vocabulary
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The learner will describe components of an ecosystem
- Distinguish the biotic factors of an ecosystem
- Analyze the chemical factors of an ecosystem
- Determine the physical factors of an ecosystem
- Describe an ecosystem as a complex relationship of biotic,
chemical, and physical factors
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The learner will understanding the flow of energy through
an ecosystem
- Explain and model the flow of energy through an ecosystem
- Estimate relative energy loss in an ecosystem
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The learner will analyze the role of chemical cycles
in the biosphere
- Describe the carbon and oxygen cycle
- Explain the water cycle
- Investigate mineral cycles such as nitrogen and phosphorus
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The student will determine the factors that influence
rates of changes in populations
- Estimate population size
- Describe the limiting factors of a population
- Identify the major causes for extinction of species
- Explore the influence of humans on accelerating species extinction
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The student will analyze adaptations of organisms within
different biomes and communities
- Explain characteristics of world biomes
- Evaluate special adaptations of plants and animals
- Investigate a local ecosystem
- Explain the role of population diversity in community survival
- Describe the role of genetic diversity in species survival
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Students will understand how ecological conditions change
over time
- Describe how nature heals and replenishes an area after a
major disruption (examples: forest fire, plowed fields, volcanic
island)
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Students will evaluate the effects of human behavior
on environmental quality
- Identify sources of air pollution and determine the impact
on environmental quality
- Identify sources of water pollution and determine the impact
on environmental quality
- Describe land use problems and predict future impact on society
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Students will make informed decisions about the use
of natural resources
- Compare the Earth's supply of renewable and nonrenewable
resources
- Understand the operations and use of technologies that use
natural resources (examples: nuclear energy, wind power)
- Identify individual and group actions for conservation
- Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of resource usage
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