These benchmarks represent the things that every student
should know and/or be able to do by the time they complete their elementary and
secondary eduation.
The first character of each identifier is the grade or
course in which the benchmark is typically applied. For high school classes, the benchmarks are categorized
according to course:
LS-Life Science; CH-chemistry; ES-Earth Science; PS-Physical
Science; PH-Physics.
Schools teach to these benchmarks in varied order, and not
necessarily at the particular grade or course level indicated.
Standard 1. Understand and apply the skills of scientific inquiry.
Core
Benchmarks
K.1.1: Knows that learning comes form careful observations and simple experiments.
K.1.2: Uses careful observations and simple experiments to increase scientific knowledge.
1.1.1: Discusses findings from simple investigations.
1.1.2: Asks questions based on observations and simple investigations.
2.1.1: Knows that tools (i.e., thermometers, magnifiers, rulers, and balances) can be used to gather information and extend the senses.
2.1.2: Makes predictions during observations and scientific investigations.
2.1.3: Compares using two or more variables.
3.1.1: Observes and predicts when performing scientific experiments.
4.1.1a: Recognizes and classifies objects.
4.1.1b: Uses scientific investigations in asking and answering a question and comparing the answer to what scientists already know about the world.
5.1.1: Uses simple equipment and tools to gather scientific data, extend the senses
6.1.1: Uses simple equipment and tools to gather and analyze scientific data and extend the senses.
6.1.2: Designs and conducts a scientific investigation
7.1.1: Demonstrates an understanding of scientific methods and how they are used in the process of experimentation
7.1.2: Uses appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret scientific data.
8.1.1: Uses appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret scientific data.
8.1.2: Knows that scientific inquiry includes evaluating results of scientific investigations, experiments, observations, theoretical and mathematical models, and explanations proposed by other scientists.
CH.1.1: Solves problems using dimensional analysis
PS.1.1: Reads with confidence to find an answer and communicate results
PS.1.2: Selects and uses appropriate technologies to gather, process, and analyze data and report information related to an investigation
PS.1.3: Asks questions and formulates a testable hypothesis to guide exploration
PS.1.4: Interprets and evaluates data in order to formulate conclusions
PS.1.5: Uses discovery processes to experience science
PS.1.6: Knows that hypotheses are widely used in science for choosing what data to pay attention to and what additional data to seek, and for guiding the interpretation of the data
PS.1.8: Designs and conducts scientific investigations.
PS.1.9: Knows that conceptual principles and knowledge guide scientific inquiries
PS.1.10: Knows that scientists conduct investigations for a variety of reasons
PS.1.11: Knows the results of scientific inquiry —new knowledge and methods—emerge from different types of investigations
Standard
2. Understand and apply scientific
concepts, principles and theories pertaining to the earth and the universe.
Core
Benchmarks
K.2.2: Distinguishes between day and night.
1.2.1: Recognizes that the sun supplies heat and light to Earth
1.2.2: Identifies the properties of EarthÕs materials.
2.2.1: Infers that weather can change from day to day and has seasonal patterns.
3.2.1: Describes the water cycle, (evaporation, condensation, and precipitation)
3.2.2: Describes and records weather conditions, patterns, and effects.
4.2.1a: Identifies the characteristics of the sun
4.2.1b: Identifies the characteristics of the moon
4.2.1c: Identifies the characteristics of the Earth
4.2.2: Analyzes the properties of EarthÕs minerals and rocks.
5.2.1: Describes factors that affect the weather and its effects on the planet (water cycle, seasons, the atmosphere, weathering, etc).
6.2.1a: Identifies objects in the universe
6.2.1b: Understands how the objects in the universe are affected by gravity
6.2.2: Understands how features on the EarthÕs surface are constantly changed by a combination of slow and rapid processes (plate tectonics, earthquake, volcanoes, sea floor spreading).
7.2.1: Knows how the Sun acts as a major source of energy for changes on the EarthÕs surface.
8.2.1: Understands basic processes of Earth.
8.2.2: Understands essential ideas about the composition and structure of the universe.
ES.2.1: Analyzes the structure of a dynamic earth.
ES.2.2: Knows the major external and internal sources of energy on Earth
ES.2.3: Knows that weather and climate involve the transfer of energy in and out of the atmosphere
ES.2.4: Knows processes involved in the rock cycle
ES.2.5: Understands the concept of plate tectonics
ES.2.6: Knows characteristics of our Sun and its position in the universe
ES2.7: Explains the interaction between the earthÕs major forces
ES2.8: Knows characteristics and movement patterns of asteroids, comets, and meteors
CH.2.1: Explains how an atom is affected when energy is absorbed or emitted by atoms
PH.2.1: Understands the laws of planetary motion
Standard
3. Understand and apply concepts, principles, and theories pertaining to life
and its interactions.
Core Benchmark
K.3.1: Identifies the five senses and what they do.
K.3.2: Recognizes that there are living and non-living things.
1.3.1: Explains that plants and animals closely resemble their parents.
1.3.2: Recognizes that living things are found almost everywhere in the world
1.3.3: Identifies the resources for energy and growth that plants and animals need (i.e., light, air, food, and water).
2.3.1: Recognizes that EarthÕs environment changes over time, and living things must be able to adapt to these changes in order to survive.
2.3.2: Describes the life cycles of plants and animals.
3.3.1: Knows that animals and plants progress through life cycles (birth, growth, and development, reproduction and death)
3.3.2: Identifies five sense organs and the stimuliÕs for each sense.
4.3.1: Explains the functions of leaves, stems, and roots
4.3.2: Recognizes that animal adaptations help it survive in its environment
4.3.3: Discusses nutrition as it relates to health and body systems.
5.3.1: Lists and describes the major land and water biomes (including weather, climate, plants, and animals).
5.3.2a: Describes and lists the functions of the skeletal system
5.3.2b: Describes and lists the functions of the muscular system
6.3.1: Knows that all organisms are composed of cells, which are the fundamental units of life.
6.3.2a: Describes and lists the functions of the circulatory system
6.3.2b: Describes and lists the functions of the respiratory system
6.3.2c: Describes and lists the functions of the digestive system
6.3.3: Analyzes the components of ecosystems (food chains, food webs, interactions).
7.3.1: Knows ways living things can be classified and their relationship in an ecosystem.
7.3.2: Understands the structure and function of living systems including human systems.
7.3.3: Identifies and describes the structure and function of the cell.
8.3.1: Explains how matter is recycled within ecosystems.
ES.3.1: Knows how life is adapted to conditions on Earth
CH.3.1: Understands that enzymes are catalyst in chemical reactions in living organisms
CH.3.2: Understands that food webs and food chains demonstrate laws of energy conservation
CH.3.3: Understands that photosynthesis and respiration are examples of chemical reactions that take place in living organisms
LS.3.1: Knows ways in which genes may be altered and combined to create genetic variation within a species
LS.3.2: Knows that the genetic information stored in DNA provides instructions for protein synthesis in cells
LS.3.3: Examine the interdependency of cells to acquire a general picture of the function of cells and their specialized parts
Standard
4. Understand and apply concepts
and theories pertaining to the matter, its composition and the forces that
govern it.
Core
Benchmarks
K.4.1: Classifies objects accordingly to observable physical properties (i.e., shape, size, color, paper, and wood).
K.4.2: Observes an objectÕs motion and position relative to its background (i.e., push/pull, gravity, and forms of energy).
1.4.1: Demonstrates that magnets can be used to make certain objects move without being touched.
2.4.1: Recognizes that objects exist in different states (solid, liquid, and gas)
2.4.2: Identifies different types of energy forms and their production (i.e., heat, light, sound, electricity and magnetism).
3.4.1: Explains that materials can be changed from one state to another.
3.4.2: Knows that magnets attract and repel each other and certain kinds of other materials.
4.4.1: Recognizes that light, heat and sound are kinds of energy that have certain properties
5.4.1: Differentiates between a chemical and physical change.
5.4.2: Identifies forces and their effects on objects (motion, inertia, friction and simple machines).
5.4.3: Identifies the basic components of electricity (currents, static, circuits).
6.4.1: Demonstrates an understanding of basic atomic structures (protons, neutrons, electrons).
6.4.2: Distinguishes between acids and bases.
6.4.3: Describes what happens to sound and light when they strike different types of matter (transmissions, absorption, reflection)
7.4.1: Understands the basics of the structure and properties of the matter.
8.4.1a: Understands the Law of Conservation of Energy
8.4.1b: Understands properties of energy and heat (conduction, convection, and radiation)
8.4.2a: Understands that there are 100 known elements that combine in numerous ways to produce compounds
8.4.2b: Recognizes that compounds account for living and non-living substances that we encounter
ES.4.1: Knows that throughout the rock cycle the total amount of material stays the same as its form changes
ES.4.2: Knows that evidence exists that suggests the universe is expanding
ES.4.3: Knows the common characteristics of stars in the universe
CH.4.1: Understands how elements are arranged in the periodic table
CH.4.2: Knows that the physical & chemical properties of a compound are determined by its molecular structure
CH.4.3: Classifies matter as elements, compounds and mixtures
CH.4.4: Knows that the number of electrons in an atom determines whether the atom is electrically neutral or an ion (structure of matter)
CH.4.5: Understands the relationship between neutrons and isotopes and how it affects the mass and stability of the nucleus
CH.4.6: Knows how to write electron configurations and Lewis Dot Diagrams to model electron probability
CH.4.7a: Understands the relationship between the atomic/molecular mass and moles
CH.4.7b: Uses mass-mole relationship in calculations
CH.4.8: Compares and contrasts solids, liquids and gases and their changes in state
CH.4.9: Knows the structure of an atom and understands the relationship between the subatomic particles
CH.4.10: Discusses the Laws of Conservation (Mass and Energy)
CH.4.11a: Writes and balances chemical equations
CH.4.11b: Identifies the types of reactions and energy changes
CH.4.12: Knows that chemical reactions can take place at vastly different rates and reaction rates depend on a variety of factors
CH.4.13: Knows how to write and name chemical formulas using oxidation numbers
CH.4.14: Knows that atoms bond with one another by transferring or sharing electrons that are furthest from the nucleus (ionic, covalent, metallic)
CH.4.15: Knows how to find the concentration of a solution
PS.4.1: Knows that structure of an atom and the relationship between the subatomic particles
PS.4.2: Understands the relationship between neutrons and isotopes and how it affects the mass and stability of the nucleus
PS.4.3: Understands, writes, and balances chemical equations
PS.4.4: Knows that a large number of important reactions involve the transfer or sharing of electrons
PS.4.5: Divides matter into different categories by their individual properties
PS.4.6a: Knows that energy tends to move spontaneously from hotter to cooler objects by conduction, convection, or radiation
PS.4.6b: Knows any ordered state tends to become less ordered over time
PS.4.7a: Understands the kinetic molecular theory
PS.4.7b: Knows that the higher the temperature, the greater the atomic or molecular motion
PS.4.8: Knows that fission is the splitting of a large nucleus into smaller pieces, and fusion is the joining of two nuclei at extremely high temperature and pressure
PS.4.9: Knows that gravity is a universal force that each mass exerts on any other mass (motion and forces)
PS.4.10: Knows that materials have different states and can be changed by heating or cooling
PS.4.11: Compares and contrasts the structures and properties of the states of matter
PS.4.12: Understands how elements are arranged in the periodic table, and how this arrangement shows repeating patterns among elements with similar properties
PS.4.13: Explains that atoms may be bonded together into molecules or crystalline solids, and compounds are formed from chemical bonds between two or more different kinds of atoms
PS.4.14: Knows that the number of electrons in an atom determines whether the atom is electrically neutral or an ion
PS.4.15: Knows and applies how force and change in momentum are related
PS.4.16a: Illustrates that objects change their motion only when a net force is applied
PS.4.16b: Calculates the change in motion using F = ma
PS.4.17: Knows that different kinds of materials respond differently to electric forces
PS.4.18: Describes, explains, and quantifies that energy appears in different forms, and can be changed from one form to another according to the conservation of energy
PS.4.19: Knows that an objectÕs motion can be described, calculated, and represented graphically according to its change in position, direction of motion, and speed
PS.4.20: Knows that most chemical reactions involve a transfer of energy
PH.4.1: Understands motion and movement
PH.4.2: Understands how forces affect motion (gravity, push/pull, friction)
PH.4.3: Understands the Universal Law of Gravitation
PH.4.4: Recognizes that electrical forces are directly proportional to the charge and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them
PH.4.5: Understands the conservation of momentum
PH.4.6: Understands and applies NewtonÕs Laws of Motion
PH.4.7: Recognizes that all energy is either potential energy or kinetic energy and it can be transferred between the two
PH.4.8: Understands the properties of electromagnetic waves
PH.4.9: Understands properties and behaviors of waves
PH.4.10: Knows the range of the electromagnetic spectrum
PH.4.11: Understands the relationship between
electric and magnetic fields
PH.4.12: Understands the properties of sound waves
PH.4.13: Understands the Doppler Effect
PH.4.14: Knows the laws governing the reflection and refraction of light
PH.4.15: Knows that magnetic forces are very
closely related to electric forces and can be thought of as different aspects
of a single electromagnetic force. The interplay of these forces is the basis
for electric motors, generators, radio, television, and many other modern
technologies.
Standard 5. Learn how scientific knowledge develops and changes over time.
Core
Benchmarks
3.5.1: Knows that people of all ages, backgrounds, and groups have made contributions to science as an ongoing process.
4.5.1: Recognizes scientific investigations that involve asking and answering a question and comparing the answer to what scientists already know about the world.
5.5.1: Knows various careers and settings in which scientists work
6.5.1: Knows ways in which sciences and society influence one another
7.5.1: Knows that science helps drive technology, providing knowledge for better understanding, instruments, and techniques.
8.5.1: Realizes the role of technology in improving scientific understanding
ES.5.1: Knows the scientific evidence that supports the theories of beginning
ES.5.2: Knows that the theory of the center of the universe has changed
CH.5.1: Summarizes the development and use of the Periodic Table
CH.5.2: Describes how the modern atomic theory has evolved
LS.5.1: Understands and explains how organisms change over time in terms of biological evolution and genetics
LS.5.2: Knows that inheritable characteristics largely determine what capabilities an organism will have and how likely it is to survive and reproduce
LS.5.3: Knows features of human inheritance
LS.5.4: Explains that all organisms are composed of cells which are the fundamental units of life
PS.5.1: Knows that in science, the testing, revising, and occasional discarding of theories, new and old, never ends
Standard
6. Understand personal and
societal changes and responsibilities that affect health, world resources, and
the earthÕs environment.
Core
Benchmarks
K.6.1: Identifies harmful and non-harmful substances
1.6.1: Lists personal responsibilities to the environment
2.6.1: Develops an awareness of natural resources
3.6.1: Identifies and assesses problems in the environment
4.6.1: Analyzes the causes of environmental pollution as to the effect on living organisms
5.6.1: Knows that recycling, reusing, and reducing consumption conserves resources.
6.6.1: Describes what natural resources are, how they are used on Earth, and the effects of pollution on the Earth
7.6.1: Understands the interdependencies of human needs and the advancement of science.
8.6.1: Analyzes the impact of scientific contributions by people of various gender, race, and socioeconomic status and how it reflects social and political climate of their time
ES.6.1: Knows that human behavior can modify earth processes and systems
LS.6.1: Knows ways in which humans can modify ecosystems and cause irreversible effects
LS.6.2: Understands and explains the characteristics of living things, the diversity of life, and how living things interact with each other and with their environment
PS.6.1: Knows that people continue inventing new ways of doing things, solving problems, and getting work done