-Earth Science

Explain how Earth materials are conserved and recycled.

• The learner will understand that elements exist on Earth in chemical reservoirs.  Elements then move on Earth through reservoirs in the solid Earth, oceans, atmosphere, and organisms as part of geochemical cycles.

Explain how multi-cellular organisms grow, based on how cells grow and reproduce.

• The learner will understand that chemical reactions are involved in most cell functions.
• The learner will understand that enzymes are protein catalysts that allow for the breakdown and synthesis of molecules.
• The learner will describe how some materials move into cells through osmosis and how other materials move out of cells through diffusion.

Compare and contrast ways in which selected cells are specialized to carry out particular life functions.

• The learner will compare how photosynthesis and respiration transform matter and energy.

Describe how carbon and soil nutrients cycle through selected ecosystems.

• The learner will describe how materials such as water, carbon dioxide, and soil nutrients cycle through an ecosystem.

Describe the life cycle of an organism associated with human disease.

• The learner will explain how the life cycle of an organism affects human diseases.

Describe technology used in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases and explain its function in terms of human body processes.

• The learner will understand that human resistance and the severity of the disease-producing organisms impact the disease symptoms.
• The learner will explain how technology has been used to prevent, diagnose, and treat human diseases.

Explain how living things maintain a stable internal environment.

• The learner will describe how living things are able to maintain internal systems.

Explain the process of food storage and food use in organisms.

• The learner will understand that energy is contained in the chemical bonds of food molecules.  When the bonds of food molecules are broken, new compounds with lower energy bonds are formed and energy is release.  This energy is typically stored by cells in phosphate bonds comprised of a small high-energy compound called ATP.
• The learner will understand the living things need energy from the sun.
• The learner will describe how organisms store and use food.

Compare and contrast ways in which selected cells are specialized to carry out particular life functions.

• The learner will understand that plants absorb the sunlight and use the light to form covalent chemical bonds between the atoms of organic molecules.

Explain chemical changes in terms of the breaking of bonds and the rearrangement of atoms to form new substances.

• The learner will understand that the cells in the human body undergo complex chemical reactions involving carbon-based molecules.
• The learner will understand the different factors involved in chemical reactions.  Some major chemical reactions involve the transfer of electrons or hydrogen ions between reacting ions, molecules, or atoms.  Other reactions involve chemical bonds being broken by heat or light to form very reactive radicals with electrons ready to form new bonds.
• The learner will understand that light can initiate chemical reactions, such as photosynthesis.

Ask questions that can be investigated empirically.

• The learner will write and follow procedures, express concepts, review information, summarize data, utilize language appropriately, create charts and diagrams, explain statistical analysis, speak clearly and logically, construct an argument, respond appropriately to criticism.

Design and conduct scientific investigations.

• The learner will use evidence, apply logic, and construct an argument for the proposed explanation of a scientific investigation.

Gather and synthesize information from books and other sources of information.

• The learner will demonstrate procedures, knowledge base, and conceptual understandings of scientific investigations.  Upon investigation, students will gather information from books and modern technology, such as the Internet.

Discuss topics in groups by making clear presentations, restating or summarizing what others have said, asking for clarification or elaboration, and taking alternative perspectives and defending a position.

• The learner will understand the standards required of scientific explanations; logical, consistent, supports rules of evidence, open to questions and modifications, based on historical and current scientific knowledge.

Show how common themes of science, mathematics, and technology apply in real world contexts.

• The learner will understand the uses of mathematics in science: develop questions, gather data, construct explanations, communicate results.
• The learner will begin to develop an understanding of the relationship between science and technology.

Discuss the historical development of key scientific concepts and principles.

• The learner will understand the qualities necessary for scientists; insight, reasoning, energy, skill, and creativity.  In addition must be open minded, honest, and have a tolerance for ambiguity and skepticism.
• The learner will understand the major influences on the development of microbiology including Aristotle, scientists of the Golden Age, and modern contributors.

Explain the social and economic advantages and risks of new technology.

• The learner will understand that before society debates issues, it should fully understand the scientific and technological principles.
• The learner will evaluate the relationship between the benefits that technology can provide and the risks that it presents.