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National Science Education Standards

Science Contents Standards

Overview
Category
Grades K-4
Grades 5-8
Grades 9-12
Unifying Concepts and Processes
  • Systems, order, & organization
  • Evidence, models, & explanation
  • Change, constancy, & measurement
  • Evolution & equilibrium
  • Form & function



Science as Inquiry
  1. Understanding of scientific concepts
  2. An appreciation of "how we know" what we know in science
  3. Understanding of the nature of science
  4. Skills necessary to become independent inquirers about the natural world
  5. The dispositions to use the skills, ability, & attitudes associated with science
  1. Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
    • Ask a question about objects, organisms, & events in the environment
    • Plan & conduct a simple investigation
    • Employ simple equipment & tools to gather data & extend the senses
    • Use data to construct a reasonable explanation
    • Communicate investigations & explanations
  2. Understanding about scientific inquiry
      Full Standard
  1. Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
  2. Understanding about scientific inquiry
      Full Standard
  1. Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
  2. Understanding about scientific inquiry
      Full Standard
Physical Science
  1. Properties of objects & materials
  2. Position & motion of objects
  3. Light, heat, electricity, & magnetism
      Full Standard
  1. Properties & changes of properties in matter
  2. Motions & forces
  3. Transfer of Energy
      Full Standard
  1. Structure of atoms
  2. Structure & properties of matter
  3. Chemical reactions
  4. Motions & forces
  5. Conservation of energy & increase in disorder
  6. Interactions of energy & matter
      Full Standard
Earth & Space Science Standards
  1. Properties of Earth materials
  2. Objects in the sky
    • The Sun, Moon, stars...all have properties, locations, and movements that can be observed & described
    • The Sun provides the light & heat necessary to maintain the temperature of the Earth
  3. Changes in Earth & sky
    • Objects in the sky have patterns of movement. The Sun, for example, appears to move across the sky in the same way every day, but its path slowly changes over the seasons. The Moon moves across the sky on a daily basis much like the Sun. The observable shape of the Moon changes from day to day in a cycle that lasts about a month.
      Full Standard
  1. Structure of the Earth system
  2. Earth's history
  3. Earth in the solar system
      Full Standard
  1. Energy in the Earth system
  2. Geochemical cycles
  3. Origin & evolution of the Earth system
  4. Origin & evolution of the universe
      Full Standard
Science & Technology Standards
  1. Abilities to distinguish between natural objects & objects made by humans
  2. Abilities of technological design
    • Identify a simple problem
    • Proposal a solution
    • Implementing proposed solutions
    • Evaluate a product or design
    • Communicate a problem, design, & solution
  3. Understanding about science & technology
      Full Standard
  1. Abilities of technological design (see K-4)
  2. Understanding about science & technology
      Full Standard
  1. Abilities of technological design (see K-4)
  2. Understanding about science & technology
      Full Standard
Life Science Standards
  1. Characteristics of organisms
  2. Life cycles of organisms
  3. Organisms & environments
      Full Standard
  1. Structure & function in living systems
  2. Reproduction & heredity
  3. Regulation & behavior
  4. Populations & ecosystems
  5. Diversity & adaptations of organisms
      Full Standard
  1. The cell
  2. Molecular basis of heredity
  3. Biological evolution
  4. Interdependence of organisms
  5. Matter, energy, & organization in living systmes
  6. Behavior of organisms
      Full Standard
Science in Personal & Social Perspectives Standards
  1. Personal health
  2. Characteristics & changes in populations
  3. Types of resources
  4. Changes in environments
  5. Science & technology in local challenges
      Full Standard
  1. Personal health
  2. Populations, resources, & environments
  3. Natural hazards
  4. Risks & benefits
  5. Science & technology in society
      Full Standard
  1. Personal & community health
  2. Population growth
  3. Natural resources
  4. Environmental quality
  5. Natural & human-induced hazards
  6. Science & technology in local, national, & global challenges
      Full Standard
History & Nature of Science Standards
  1. Science as a human endeavor
      Full Standard
  1. Science as a human endeavor
  2. Nature of science
  3. History of science
      Full Standard
  1. Science as a human endeaver
  2. Nature of scientific knowledge
  3. Historical perspectives
      Full Standard
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