New York Learning Standards for Science - Commencement

Physical Setting

Students:

• explain complex phenomena, such as tides, variations in day length, solar insolation, apparent motion of the planets, and annual traverse of the constellations.
  • Earth Within the Solar System AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear81/1.asp
    
  • Earth's Cycles: Rotation and Revolution AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear81/2.asp
    
  • Planetary Motion AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/psc91/9.asp
    

• describe current theories about the origin of the universe and solar system.
  • Earth's Location and its Effects
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear81/1b.asp
    
  • Formation of the Earth
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear82/1a.asp
    

2. Many of the phenomena that we observe on Earth involve interactions among components of air, water, and land.

Students:

• use the concepts of density and heat energy to explain observations of weather patterns, seasonal changes, and the movements of the Earth's plates.
  • The Reasons for Seasons
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear81/2d.asp
    
  • Temperature
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear81/8b.asp
    
  • Wind
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear81/8c.asp
    
  • Moisture
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear81/8d.asp
    
  • Jet Stream
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear81/9c.asp
    
  • Tornadoes
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear81/10b.asp
    
  • Earth's Cycles: Rotation and Revolution AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear81/2.asp
    
  • Lakes, Swamps, and Marshes
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear81/5a.asp
    

• explain how incoming solar radiations, ocean currents, and land masses affect weather and climate.
  • Here Comes the Sun
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear81/1c.asp
    
  • Current Events
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear81/4c.asp
    
  • Earth's Climate AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear81/7.asp
    
  • Temperature
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear81/8b.asp
    
  • Solar Effects
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear81/9b.asp
    

3. Matter is made up of particles whose properties determine the observable characteristics of matter and its reactivity.

Students:

• explain the properties of materials in terms of the arrangement and properties of the atoms that compose them.
  • Atoms and Their Structure
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/psc92/1e.asp
    
  • Patterns in Chemistry AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/psc92/2.asp
    
  • Types of Chemical Bonding AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/psc92/3.asp
    
  • Models and Shapes of Molecules AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/psc92/4.asp
    

• use atomic and molecular models to explain common chemical reactions.
  • Types of Chemical Bonding AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/psc92/3.asp
    
  • Models and Shapes of Molecules AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/psc92/4.asp
    

• apply the principle of conservation of mass to chemical reactions.
  • Balancing Equations
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/psc92/7c.asp
    

• use kinetic molecular theory to explain rates of reactions and the relationships among temperature, pressure, and volume of a substance.

4. Energy exists in many forms, and when these forms change energy is conserved.

Students:

• observe and describe transmission of various forms of energy.
  • Working Hard?
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/psc91/7a.asp
    
  • Pickin' Up Good Vibrations
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/psc91/10.asp
    
  • Types of Waves
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/psc91/10a.asp
    
  • Measuring Waves
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/psc91/10b.asp
    
  • When Waves Collide
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/psc91/10c.asp
    
  • Surrounded by Sound
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/psc91/11.asp
    

• explain heat in terms of kinetic molecular theory.

• explain variations in wavelength and frequency in terms of the source of the vibrations that produce them, e.g., molecules, electrons, and nuclear particles.

• explain the uses and hazards of radioactivity.

5. Energy and matter interact through forces that result in changes in motion.

Students:

• explain and predict different patterns of motion of objects (e.g., linear and angular motion, velocity and acceleration, momentum and inertia).
  • What and How
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/psc91/1a.asp
    
  • The Notion of Motion AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/psc91/3.asp
    
  • Newton's First Law
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/psc91/4a.asp
    
  • Relative Velocity
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/psc91/5e.asp
    
  • Momentum AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/psc91/6.asp
    
  • Circular Motion AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/psc91/8.asp
    

• explain chemical bonding in terms of the motion of electrons.
  • Electron Basics
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/psc92/2c.asp
    
  • More Electron Basics
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/psc92/2d.asp
    
  • Types of Chemical Bonding AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/psc92/3.asp
    
  • Models and Shapes of Molecules
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/psc92/4.asp
    
  • The Octet Rule: Eight Is Great!
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/psc92/4a.asp
    

• compare energy relationships within an atom's nucleus to those outside the nucleus.

Physical Setting

Students:

• explain how diversity of populations within ecosystems relates to the stability of ecosystems.
  • Ecology: Organisms and Their Environment AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif72/9.asp
    

• describe and explain the structures and functions of the human body at different organizational levels (e.g., systems, tissues, cells, organelles).
  • Organization of Living Things
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif71/1a.asp
    
  • The Cell: Down to Basics AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif71/4.asp
    
  • Human Biology AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif72/8.asp
    

• explain how a one-celled organism is able to function despite lacking the levels of organization present in more complex organisms.
  • The Cell: Down to Basics AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif71/4.asp
    
  • Bacteria and Viruses AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif72/2.asp
    
  • Protists, Fungi, and the Origin of Multicellularity AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif72/3.asp
    

2. Organisms inherit genetic information in a variety of ways that result in continuity of structure and function between parents and offspring.

Students:

• explain how the structure and replication of genetic material result in offspring that resemble their parents.
  • Growth and Reproduction AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif71/7.asp
    
  • Genetics AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif71/8.asp
    
  • DNA Upclose and Personal AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif71/9.asp
    

• explain how the technology of genetic engineering allows humans to alter the genetic makeup of organisms.
  • DNA Forensics
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif71/9e.asp
    

3. Individual organisms and species change over time.

Students:

• explain the mechanisms and patterns of evolution.
  • Evolution: Populations in Motion AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif72/1.asp
    

4. The continuity of life is sustained through reproduction and development.

Students:

• explain how organisms, including humans, reproduce their own kind.
  • Reproduction
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif71/1c.asp
    
  • Growth and Reproduction AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif71/7.asp
    
  • Bacteria and Viruses AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif72/2.asp
    
  • Protists, Fungi, and the Origin of Multicellularity AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif72/3.asp
    
  • Plants: Energy Converters AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif72/4.asp
    
  • Invertebrate Animals: Rulers of the Animal Kingdom AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif72/5.asp
    
  • Vertebrate Animals AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif72/6.asp
    
  • Mammals 'R' Us AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif72/7.asp
    
  • Bacteria and Viruses AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif72/2.asp
    

5. Organisms maintain a dynamic equilibrium that sustains life.

Students:

• explain the basic biochemical processes in living organisms and their importance in maintaining dynamic equilibrium.
  • It Starts With a Little Chemistry AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif71/3.asp
    
  • Regulation
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif72/7c.asp
    
  • Human Biology AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif72/8.asp
    

• explain disease as a failure of homeostasis.

• relate processes at the system level to the cellular level in order to explain dynamic equilibrium in multicelled organisms.

Students:

• explain factors that limit growth of individuals and populations.
  • Response to Environment
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif71/1e.asp
    
  • Energy and Organisms AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif71/2.asp
    
  • Abiotic Factors AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif71/5.asp
    
  • Adaptation
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif72/1b.asp
    
  • Response to the Environment
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif72/7e.asp
    
  • Communities: Relationships Among Species
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif72/9b.asp
    
  • Populations: Relationships within Species
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif72/9c.asp
    
  • Other Biotic Minerals
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear82/11d.asp
    

• explain the importance of preserving diversity of species and habitats.
  • Biomes
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif72/9a.asp
    
  • Human Impact on the Environment AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif72/10.asp
    

• explain how the living and nonliving environments change over time and respond to disturbances.
  • Evolution: Populations in Motion AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif72/1.asp
    
  • Ecology: Organisms and Their Environment AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif72/9.asp
    
  • Human Impact on the Environment AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif72/10.asp
    
  • Oceanic Ice
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear81/4f.asp
    
  • Lakes, Swamps, and Marshes
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear81/5a.asp
    
  • Surface Water Systems and Society
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear81/5e.asp
    
  • Early Earth History
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear82/10d.asp
    
  • Middle to Recent History
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear82/10e.asp
    
  • Balancing the Spheres
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear82/12a.asp
    

7. Human decisions and activities have had a profound impact on the physical and living environment.

Students:

• describe the range of interrelationships of humans with the living and nonliving environment.
  • Human Impact on the Environment AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif72/10.asp
    
  • Surface Water Systems and Society
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear81/5e.asp
    
  • Climatic Change
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear81/7d.asp
    
  • Humans and Soil
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear82/8d.asp
    
  • The Living Earth AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear82/11.asp
    
  • Our Role in Earth's Future AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear82/12.asp
    

• explain the impact of technological development and growth in the human population on the living and non-living environment.
  • Human Impact on the Environment AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/lif72/10.asp
    
  • Surface Water Systems and Society
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear81/5e.asp
    
  • Climatic Change
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear81/7d.asp
    
  • The Nitrogen Cycle
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear82/11a.asp
    
  • Our Role in Earth's Future AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear82/12.asp
    

• explain how individual choices and societal actions can contribute to improving the environment.
  • Runoff
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear81/3g.asp
    
  • Surface Water Systems and Society
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear81/5e.asp
    
  • Climatic Change
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear81/7d.asp
    
  • Humans and Soil
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear82/8d.asp
    
  • Pollution Solutions
    http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear82/12d.asp