Identify characteristics used to classify organisms in to kingdoms, phyla, and classes.
Explain ways systems are related to one another and how one part affects another.
Understand that biological systems may change until they become stable.
Demonstrate an increased science vocabulary by using appropriate terms and written/verbal communication.
Demonstrate the ability to use scientific measurements relating to mass, length, distance, volume, and time.
Define and demonstrate a basic understanding of their relationship among energy, force, and work.
Identify forms of energy and explain how energy is conserved.
Form a hypothesis based on fact and interpretation of information. Understand the difference between hypothesis, theory, and law.
Understand the forces of nature that have shaped the earth are still active today.
Describe facts that show the earth is a part of the much larger solar system and universe.
Construct charts and graphs based on data given.
Grade 8
The student will be able to:
Identify and apply the scientific method of investigation (computation, estimation, manipulation, observation, communication, and critical response skills).
Construct, analyze, and evaluate models that explain various scientific theories of the universe (sun, galaxies, planets, asteroids, meteors, and comets).
Distinguish among organisms (heredity and genes, cells, environmental influences, energy sources, and evolution).
Identify that humans share similar body systems as other animals (energy, reproduction, body functions, development and physical/mental health).
Analyze past and present scientific changes (manufacturing, modem technology, automation, energy sources, processing information and sanitation measures).
Identify and demonstrate systems for writing numbers, symbolic relationships (graphs, tables, shapes), probability, and reasoning.
Evaluate historical discoveries that contributed to advances in science and technology (fire, fission/fusion, discovering of germs, and harnessing power).
Interpret systems as how the parts relate to other systems (input/output/internal/external/feedback/sub systems).
Physical Science
The student will be able to:
Recognize and identify the relationships of matter and energy in everyday settings (explain and predict outcomes).
Discuss the nature of matter including states and classification.
Identify and predict basic chemical reactions through an understanding of the periodic table of the elements.
Describe wave properties (compare/contrast sound and light).
Analyze the use of electricity through construction and knowledge of basic circuits (charges and characteristics).
Learn the concepts of magnetism and electricity recognizing their technological importance.
Specify the relationships of position, velocity and acceleration and their dependence on an applied force as related to energy conversions.
Manipulate and evaluate mathematical data using equations, charts, and graphs.
Use computers and calculators to manipulate data, generate graphs, and analyze results.
Recognize the social importance of Physical Science.
Life Science
The student will be able to:
Use and manipulate microscopes to view prepared and live specimens.
Identify, compare, and contrast relationships among organisms and their environments.
Define and measure the quantities of length, mass, weight, volume, density, temperature, and time using metric units.
Analyze, organize, and interpret data into meaningful graphs, charts, and tables.
Identify and compare anatomical structure among various species of organisms and relate these structures to human anatomy.
Environmental Science
The student will be able to:
Describe and analyze human impact on the environment.
Evaluate alternatives to current disposal systems.
Compare and contrast environmental systems and biomes.
Interpret, analyze, and construct graphs, charts, and tables.
Demonstrate sustainable environmental practices.
Biology I
The student will be able to:
Employ the scientific method of problem solving.
Relate the various plant/animal cell structures to their function in the cell's metabolism.
Identify, compare, and contrast the sequence of events in mitosis and meiosis.
Compare and contrast biological processes (osmosis, diffusion, photosynthesis, respiration and protein syntheses) and describe their roles in maintaining homeostasis within organisms.
Apply Mendel's Laws and chromosome theory to explain the inheritance of traits.
Define ecology as related to the biosphere (ecosystems and biomes, and interaction of components).
Describe the flow of energy and movement of nutrients through the biosphere, including the conservation of natural resources.
Differentiate characteristics of bacteria and viruses.
Demonstrate knowledge of taxonomy.
Biology II
The student will be able to:
Differentiate between the methods and anatomical structures used by invertebrates and vertebrates to perform essential life functions.
Conduct dissections and/or computer simulations to compare and contrast the anatomy and physiology of organisms from several different phyla.
Relate Mendelian principles to the studies of the human genome and applied genetics.
Utilize Linnaeus' system of classification to identify possible relationships between organisms.
Explain the Lytic cycle of viruses, identify the three basic shapes of bacteria, and relate them to common viral and bacterial infections.
Chemistry I
The student will be able to:
Use atomic theory to describe matter and the physical/chemical properties and physical/chemical changes it undergoes.
Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of conservation of matter and energy in chemistry.
Correctly write balanced chemical equations using proper formulas to describe reactions and predict products.
Apply the mole concept to determine the number of moles from volumes, masses, and number of particles for various reactions.
Demonstrate proper laboratory techniques/skills and correctly manipulate various scientific instruments to generate, analyze, and graph data.
Demonstrate proficiency in using scientific notation, significant figures, and the factor label method in problem solving.
Apply the mole concept in determining stoichiometric relationships in chemical reactions.
Understand metric prefixes, and convert between units in the metric system.
Chemistry II
The student will be able to:
Demonstrate advanced laboratory skills and techniques (titration to generate, analyze, and graph data from experiments).
Provide examples and distinguish between acids and bases (pH, Arrhenius, Bronsted Theory, and Lewis definitions).
Predict the geometry of central atoms of molecule (VSEPR theory, hybridization, and bond angles).
Use the periodic table to predict trends (atomic/ionic size, ionization energy, electron affinity, electronegativity, and metallic/nonmetallic properties) and to write electron configurations for various elements.
Explain relationships between and solve problems involving reaction rates and equilibrium including shifts in Le Chatelier's Principle.
Understand and solve problems relating to the various gas laws (Boyle's law, Charles'
Law, Gay-Lussac's Law, Combined Gas Law and Ideal Gas Law).
Identify the oxidizing agent and reducing agent in balancing redox reactions and apply redox reactions to electrochemistry using the half-reaction method in acidic and basic equations.
Relate Gibbs Free Energy, Enthalpy, and Entropy to thermochemical reactions and apply these to predict the spontaneity of reactions.
Calculate various units of concentration and prepare solutions of desired concentration.
Earth and Space Science: Astronomy
The student will be able to:
Explain and describe the historical development of the concepts/ideas of Astronomy.
Define and critique the heliocentric model and the geocentric model.
Discuss and explain various devices astronomers use to gather and interpret data.
Identify the planets in order and their various properties.
Describe and explain the formation of celestial bodies (planets, galaxies, comets, meteors, and asteroids).
Discuss and explain the formation and analysis of stars/galaxies and their evolution.
Explain basic theories of how large the universe is.
Physics-Applied
The student will be able to:
Evaluate the conversions of matter and energy as observed in real-life situations.
Use projects to demonstrate an understanding of various physics concepts.
Gather, display, and explain data.
Specify the relationships of position, velocity, and acceleration and their dependence on an applied force as related to energy conversions.
Describe wave properties and compare/contrast sound and light.
Analyze the use of electricity through construction and knowledge of basic circuits, charges, and characteristics.
Learn the concepts of magnetism and electricity recognizing their technological importance.
Use computers and calculators to manipulate data, generate graphs and analyze the results.
Physics
The student will be able to:
Demonstrate concepts of Applied Physics in society.
Evaluate the conversions of matter and energy as observed in real-life situations.
Analyze conservation laws and use them to calculate unknown quantities involving energy, momentum, and charge.
Specify the relationships of position, velocity, and acceleration and their dependence on an applied force as related to energy conversions.
Construct and solve vector problems.
Describe wave properties and compare/contrast sound and light.
Analyze the use of electricity through construction and knowledge of basic circuits, charges, and characteristics.
Learn the concept of magnetism and electricity recognizing their technological importance.
Use computers and calculators to manipulate data, generate graphs and analyze the results.
Demonstrate concepts of Physics in society.
Manipulate and evaluate mathematical data using equations, tables, charts, and graphs.
