Students will understand that there are similarities within the diversity of all living things. Modern classification systems are based on comparisons of the structure, function, life-cycles, and behavior of organisms. Students will be able to:

ELEMENTARY GRADES Pre-K-2

1. Identify the differences between living and non­living things.

2. Describe characteristics of different living things.

3. Explain, draw, or otherwise demonstrate the life cycle of an organism.

4. Design and describe a classification system for objects.

1. Group the same organisms in different ways using different characteristics.

2. Design and describe a classification system for organisms.

3. Describe the different living things within a given habitat.

4. Compare and contrast the life cycles, behavior, and structure of different organisms.

Students will understand how living things depend on one another and on non-living aspects of the environment. Balance in ecosystems is based on an intricate web of relationships among populations of living organisms and on non-living factors such as water and temperature. Changes in specific populations or conditions affect other parts of the ecosystem. Individual systems continually change in response to human and other factors. Students will be able to:

ELEMENTARY GRADES Pre-K-2

1. Identify ways that organisms depend upon their environment.

2. Describe how almost all animals' food can be traced back to plants.

3. Give examples of how one change in a system affects other parts of the system.

4. Describe different ecological systems on earth.

5. Describe a familiar local environment.

1. Describe a food web and the relationships within a given ecosystem.

2. Explain the difference between producers (e.g., green plants), consumers (e.g., those that eat green plants), and decomposers (e.g., bacteria that break down the "consumers" when they die), and identify examples of each.

3. Compare and contrast physical and living components of different biomes - i.e., regions characterized by their climate and plant life -(e.g., tundra, rain forest, ocean, desert).

4. Investigate the connection between major living and non­living components of a local ecosystem.

Students will understand that cells are the basic units of life. The functions performed by organelles (specialized structures found in cells) within individual cells are also carried out by the organ system in multi-cellular organisms. This standard requires that students be conversant with magnifying devices, cell structure and function, body systems, and disease causes and the body's defense against them. Students will be able to:

ELEMENTARY GRADES Pre-K-2

1. Demonstrate that living things are made up of different parts.

2. Demonstrate an understanding that plants and animals need food, water, and gases to survive.

3. Explore magnifying devices and how they allow one to see in more detail.

4. Provide examples of causes of diseases.

1. Demonstrate an understanding that a cell is the basic unit of living organisms.

2. Describe how single­celled organisms exist.

3. Explore how the use of a microscope allows one to see cells in a variety of organisms.

4. Describe the functions of the major human organ systems.

Students will understand the basis for all life and that all living things change over time. Fossils show past life, extinct species, and environmental changes over time. Organisms change and new species may arise due to genetically coded adaptations. Students will be able to:

ELEMENTARY GRADES Pre-K-2

1. Explain how fossils show the existence of past life.

2. Identify characteristics that help organisms live in their environment.

3. Draw or describe ways in which an organism can change over its lifetime, sometimes in predictable ways (e.g., butterfly, frog).

4. Describe ways in which individuals of the same species are alike and different.

1. Identify present day organisms that have not always existed, and past life forms that have become extinct.

2. Describe how fossils form.

3. Explain how adaptations, in response to change over time, may increase a species' chances of survival.

4. Describe ways in which organisms may be similar to and different from their parents and explore the possible reasons for this.

Students will understand the structure of matter and the changes it can undergo. Matter is made of atoms, each with characteristic properties, which can combine to form all substances in the universe. The state and properties of matter may differ when it experiences chemical, physical, and nuclear changes. Students will be able to:

ELEMENTARY GRADES Pre-K-2

1. Show that large things are made up of smaller pieces.

2. Describe some physical properties of objects.

3. Group objects based on observable characteristics (e.g., color, size, texture).

1. Describe how the physical properties of objects sometimes change when one object chemically combines with another.

2. Explain how matter changes in both chemical and physical ways.

Students will gain knowledge about the earth and the processes that change it. The earth's surface undergoes steady or sudden changes due to forces of wind, water, ice, volcanism, and shifting of tectonic plates. Students will be able to:

ELEMENTARY GRADES Pre-K-2

1. Describe the way weather changes.

2. Analyze the relationships between observable weather patterns and the cycling of the seasons.

3. Observe changes that are caused by water, snow, wind, and ice.

1. Describe the change in position of the continents over time.

2. Demonstrate an understanding that many things about the earth (e.g., climate) occur in cycles that vary in length and frequency.

3. Describe differences among minerals, rocks, and soils.

4. Illustrate how water and other substances go through a cyclic process of change in the environment.

Students will gain knowledge about the universe and how humans have learned about it, and about the principles upon which it operates. This includes understanding the result of the relative positions and movement of the earth, moon, sun, stars, planets, and galaxies. It also entails an understanding of how scientists gather data and formulate explanations for phenomena in space. Students will be able to:

ELEMENTARY GRADES Pre-K-2

1. Explain the cycles of day/night and of seasons.

2. Demonstrate that shadows of objects change based on where light is coming from.

3. Demonstrate an understanding that the sun is one of many stars in the universe and is the closest star to earth.

1. Illustrate the relative positions of the sun, moon, and planets.

2. Trace the sources of earth's heat and light energy to the sun.

3. Describe earth's rotation on its axis and its revolution around the sun.

4. Explore the relationship between the earth and its moon.

Students will understand concepts of energy. Energy takes many forms which can exert forces and do work. The conversion of energy from one form to another offers useful applications and sometimes presents problems. Students will be able to:

ELEMENTARY GRADES Pre-K-2

1. Demonstrate an understanding that the sun gives off light and heat energy.

2. Explain why living things need energy.

1. Identify different forms of energy (e.g., light, sound, heat).

2. Explain ways different forms of energy can be produced.

1. Analyze the benefits and drawbacks of energy conversions (e.g., in electricity generation).

2. Demonstrate that energy cannot be created or destroyed but only changed from one form to another.

3. Compare and contrast the ways energy travels (e.g., waves, conduction, convection, radiation).

4. Describe the characteristics of static and current electricity.

5. Categorize energy sources as renewable or non-renewable and compare how these sources are used by humans.

6. Describe how energy put into or taken out of a system can cause changes in the motion of particles in matter.

Students will understand the motion of objects and how forces can change that motion. All objects are in motion, at least at an atomic/subatomic level. By understanding how forces (e.g., gravity, friction, and magnetism) act on objects, they can predict their effects on the motion of the object. Students will be able to:

ELEMENTARY GRADES Pre-K-2

1. Develop a variety of ways to describe the motion of an object.

2. Demonstrate that the motion of an object can be changed.

1. Describe the effects of different types of forces (e.g., mechanical, electrical, magnetic) on motion.

2. Draw conclusions about how the amount of force affects the motion of more massive and less massive objects.

3. Generate examples illustrating that when something is pushed or pulled, it exerts a reaction force.

Students will apply inquiry and problem-solving approaches in science and technology. Scientific inquiry, problem solving, and the technological method provide insight into and comprehension of the world around us. A variety of tools, including emerging technologies assist, the inquiry processes. Models are used to understand the world. Students will be able to:

ELEMENTARY GRADES Pre-K-2

1. Make accurate observations using appropriate tools and units of measure.

2. Ask questions and propose strategies and materials to use in seeking answers to questions.

3. Use results in a purposeful way, which includes making predictions based on patterns they have observed.

4. Identify products which were invented to solve a problem.

1. Make accurate observations using appropriate tools and units of measure.

2. Conduct scientific investigations: make observations, collect and analyze data, and do experiments.

3. Use results in a purposeful way: design fair tests, make predictions based on observed patterns, and interpret data to make further predictions.

4. Design and build an invention.

5. Explain how differences in time, place, or experimenter can lead to different data.

6. Explain how different conclusions can be derived from the same data.

1. Make accurate observations using appropriate tools and units of measure.

2. Design and conduct scientific investigations which include controlled experiments and systematic observations. Collect and analyze data, and draw conclusions fairly.

3. Verify and evaluate scientific investigations and use the results in a purposeful way.

4. Compare and contrast the processes of scientific inquiry and the technological method.

5. Explain how personal bias can affect observations.

6. Design, construct, and test a device (invention) that solves a special problem.

Students will learn to formulate and justify ideas and to make informed decisions. This involves framing and supporting arguments, recognizing patterns and relationships, identifying bias and stereotypes, brainstorming alternative explanations and solutions, judging accuracy, analyzing situations, and revising studies to improve their validity. Students will be able to:

ELEMENTARY GRADES Pre-K-2

1. Examine strengths and weaknesses of simple arguments.

2. Distinguish between important and unimportant information in simple arguments.

3. Make observations.

4. Participate in brainstorming activities.

5. Use various forms of simple logic.

6. Discover relationships and patterns.

1. Give alternative explanations for observed phenomena.

2. Describe how feelings can distort reasoning.

3. Draw conclusions about observations.

4. Use various types of evidence (e.g., logical, quantitative) to support a claim.

5. Demonstrate an understanding that ideas are more believable when supported by good reasons.

6. Practice and apply simple logic, intuitive thinking, and brainstorming.

1. Examine the ways people form generalizations.

2. Identify exceptions to proposed generalizations.

3. Identify basic informal fallacies in arguments.

4. Analyze means of slanting information.

5. Identify stereotypes.

6. Support reasoning by using a variety of evidence.

7. Show that proving a hypothesis false is easier than proving it true, and explain why.

8. Construct logical arguments.

9. Apply analogous reasoning.

Students will communicate effectively in the applications of science and technology. Clear and accurate communication employs appropriate symbols and terminology, models, and a variety of media and presentation styles. Communication includes constructing knowledge through reflection, evaluation, refocusing, and critically analyzing information from a variety of sources. Individuals and collaborative groups must communicate effectively. Students will be able to:

ELEMENTARY GRADES Pre-K-2

1. Describe and compare things in terms of number, shape, texture, size, weight, color, and behavior.

2. Read and write instructions to be followed or instructions which explain procedures.

3. Ask clarifying questions.

4. Explain problem-solving processes using verbal, pictorial, and written methods.

5. Make and read simple graphs.

6. Use objects and pictures to represent scientific and technological ideas.

1. Record results of experiments or activities (e.g., interviews, discussions, field work) and summarize and communicate what they have learned.

2. Ask clarifying and extending questions.

3. Reflect on work in science and technology using such activities as discussions, journals, and self-assessment.

4. Make and/or use sketches, tables, graphs, physical representations, and manipulatives to explain procedures and ideas.

5. Gather and effectively present information, using a variety of media including computers (e.g., spreadsheets, word processing, programming, graphics, modeling).

6. Cite examples of bias in information sources and question the validity of information from varied sources.

7. Function effectively in groups within various assigned roles (e.g., reader, recorder).

1. Discuss scientific and technological ideas and make conjectures and convincing arguments.

2. Defend problem-solving strategies and solutions.

3. Evaluate individual and group communication for clarity, and work to improve communication.

4. Make and use scale drawings, maps, and three-dimensional models to represent real objects, find locations, and describe relationships.

5. Access information at remote sites using telecommunications.

6. Identify and perform roles necessary to accomplish group tasks.

Students will understand the historical, social, economic, environmental, and ethical implications of science and technology. Scientific and technological breakthroughs are influenced by prevailing beliefs and conditions which in turn are impacted by new ideas and inventions. By assessing the impacts of technological activity on the environment, students will develop their own sense of global stewardship. Students will be able to:

ELEMENTARY GRADES Pre-K-2

1. Describe how legends, stories, and scientific explanations are different ways in which people attempt to explain the world.

2. Describe at least two inventions, what they do, how they work, and how they have made life easier.

3. Identify commonly used resources, their sources, and where waste products go.

4. Demonstrate some practices for recycling and care of resources.

5. Explain how their lives would be different without specific inventions or scientific knowledge.

1. Explore how cultures have found different technological solutions to deal with similar needs or problems (e.g., construction, clothing, agricultural tools and methods).

2. Investigate and describe the role of scientists and inventors.

3. Explore how technology (e.g., transportation, irrigation) has altered human settlement.

4. Explain practices for conservation in daily life, based on a recognition that renewable and non-renewable resources have limits.

1. Research and evaluate the social and environmental impacts of scientific and technological developments.

2. Describe the historical and cultural conditions at the time of an invention or discovery, and analyze the societal impacts of that invention.

3. Discuss the ethical issues surrounding a specific scientific or technological development.

4. Describe an individual's biological and other impacts on an environmental system.

5. Identify factors that have caused some countries to become leaders in science and technology.

6. Give examples of actions which may have expected or unexpected consequences that may be positive, negative, or both.

7. Explain the connections between industry, natural resources, population, and economic development.

8. Recognize scientific and technological contributions of diverse people including women, different ethnic groups, races, and physically disabled.

1. Examine the impact of political decisions on science and technology.

2. Demonstrate the importance of resource management, controlling environmental impacts, and maintaining natural ecosystems.

3. Evaluate the ethical use or introduction of new scientific or technological developments.

4. Analyze the impacts of various scientific and technological developments.

5. Examine the historical relationships between prevailing cultural beliefs and breakthroughs in science and technology.

6. Research issues that illustrate the effects of technological imbalances and suggest some solutions.