PA.SI. Science as Inquiry

SI.4. Describe relationships using inference and prediction.

SI.5. Use appropriate tools and technologies to gather, analyze, and interpret data and understand that it enhances accuracy and allows scientists to analyze and quantify results of investigations.

SI.6. Develop descriptions, explanations, and models using evidence and understand that these emphasize evidence, have logically consistent arguments, and are based on scientific principles, models, and theories.

SI.9. Understand that scientific investigations may result in new ideas for study, new methods, or procedures for an investigation or new technologies to improve data collection.

PA.3. Science and Technology and Engineering Education

3.1. Biological Sciences

3.1.A. Organisms and Cells

3.1.6.A1. Describe the similarities and differences of major physical characteristics in plants, animals, fungi, protists, and bacteria

3.1.6.A2. Describe how energy derived from the sun is used by plants to produce sugars (photosynthesis) and is transferred within a food chain from producers (plants) to consumers to decomposers.

3.1.6.A5. Describe basic structures that plants and animals have that contribute to their ability to make or find food and reproduce.

3.1.6.A6. Identify examples of unicellular and multicellular organisms.

3.1.6.A8. (SCALE) Explain why the details of most cells are visible only through a microscope.

3.1.C. Evolution

3.1.6.C1. Differentiate between instinctive and learned animal behaviors that relate to survival.

3.2. Physical Sciences: Chemistry and Physics

3.2.A. Chemistry

3.2.6.A1a. Distinguish the differences in properties of solids, liquids, and gases.

3.2.6.A1b. Differentiate between volume and mass. Investigate that equal volumes of different substances usually have different masses.

3.2.6.A4. Differentiate between physical changes and chemical changes.

3.2.B. Physics

3.2.6.B1. Explain how changes in motion require a force.

3.2.6.B2a. Describe energy as a property of objects associated with heat, light, electricity, magnetism, mechanical motion, and sound.

3.2.6.B2b. Differentiate between potential and kinetic energy.

3.2.6.B3a. Give examples of how heat moves in predictable ways, normally flowing from warmer objects to cooler ones until they reach the same temperature.

3.2.6.B3b. Explain the effect of heat on particle motion by describing what happens to particles during a phase change.

3.2.6.B6a. (ENERGY) Demonstrate that heat moves in predictable ways from warmer objects to cooler ones.

3.2.6.B6b. (SCALE) Investigate that materials may be composed of parts too small to be seen without magnification.

3.3. Earth and Space Sciences

3.3.A. Earth Structure, Processes and Cycles

3.3.6.A1. Recognize and interpret various mapping representations of Earth's common features.

3.3.6.A2. Examine how soil fertility, composition, resistance to erosion, and texture are affected by many factors.

3.3.6.A4. Describe how water on earth cycles in different forms and in different locations, including underground and in the atmosphere.

3.3.6.A5a. Describe the composition and layers of the atmosphere.

3.3.6.A6a. (MODELS/SCALES) Describe the scales involved in characterizing Earth and its atmosphere.

3.3.6.A6b. (MODELS/SCALES) Create models of Earth's common physical features.

3.3.B. Origin and Evolution of the Universe

3.3.6.B1c. Explain why the planets orbit the sun in nearly circular paths.

3.3.6.B1e. Explain how the tilt of the earth and its revolution around the sun cause an uneven heating of the earth which in turn causes the seasons and weather patterns.

3.3.6.B2a. (MODELS) Use models to demonstrate that earth has different seasons and weather patterns.

PA.4. Environment and Ecology

4.1. Ecology

4.1.6.D. Identify reasons why organisms become threatened, endangered, and extinct.

4.2. Watersheds and Wetlands

4.2.6.A. Identify the five major watersheds of Pennsylvania.

4.2.6.B. Describe the characteristics of soils found in a wetland.

4.2.6.C. Identify natural and human-made factors that affect water quality.

4.5. Humans and the Environment

4.5.6.A. Examine how historical events have shaped the sustainable use of natural resources.

PA.CC.3.5.6-8. Reading Informational Text: Students read, understand, and respond to informational text – with emphasis on comprehension, making connections among ideas and between texts with focus on textual evidence.

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

CC.3.5.6-8.G. Integrate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text with a version of that information expressed visually (e.g., in a flowchart, diagram, model, graph, or table).

PA.CC.3.6.6-8. Writing: Students write for different purposes and audiences. Students write clear and focused text to convey a well-defined perspective and appropriate content.

Text Types and Purposes

CC.3.6.6-8.A. Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.

CC.3.6.6-8.A.5. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.

CC.3.6.6-8.B. Write informative/explanatory texts, including the narration of historical events, scientific procedures/ experiments, or technical processes.

CC.3.6.6-8.B.4. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.

CC.3.6.6-8.B.6. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented.

Production and Distribution of Writing

CC.3.6.6-8.C. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.