ESS: Earth and Space Science

ESS.1: This topic focuses on the study of rocks, minerals and soil, which make up the lithosphere. Classifying and identifying different types of rocks, minerals and soil can decode the past environment in which they formed.

ESS.1.1: Minerals have specific, quantifiable properties.

ESS.1.1.a: Minerals are naturally occurring, inorganic solids that have a defined chemical composition. Minerals have properties that can be observed and measured. Minerals form in specific environments.

Mineral Identification

ESS.1.2: Igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks have unique characteristics that can be used for identification and/or classification.

ESS.1.2.a: Most rocks are composed of one or more minerals, but there are a few types of sedimentary rocks that contain organic material, such as coal. The composition of the rock, types of mineral present, mineral arrangement, and/or mineral shape and size can be used to identify the rock and to interpret its history of formation, breakdown (weathering) and transport (erosion).

Mineral Identification

ESS.1.3: Igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks form in different ways.

ESS.1.3.a: Magma or lava cools and crystallizes to form igneous rocks. Heat and pressure applied to existing rock forms metamorphic rocks. Sedimentary rock forms as existing rock weathers chemically and/or physically and the weathered material is compressed and then lithifies. Each rock type can provide information about the environment in which it was formed.

Rock Cycle

LS: Life Science

LS.1: This topic focuses on the study of the basics of Modern Cell Theory. All organisms are composed of cells, which are the fundamental unit of life. Cells carry on the many processes that sustain life. All cells come from pre-existing cells.

LS.1.1: Cells are the fundamental unit of life.

LS.1.1.a: All living things are composed of cells. Different body tissues and organs are made of different kinds of cells. The ways cells function are similar in all living organisms.

Paramecium Homeostasis

LS.1.3: Cells carry on specific functions that sustain life.

LS.1.3.b: Every cell is covered by a membrane that controls what can enter and leave the cell.

Cell Structure

LS.1.3.c: Within the cell are specialized parts for the transport of materials, energy capture and release, protein building, waste disposal, information feedback and movement.

Cell Structure
Paramecium Homeostasis

LS.1.4: Living systems at all levels of organization demonstrate the complementary nature of structure and function.

LS.1.4.a: The level of organization within organisms includes cells, tissues, organs, organ systems and whole organisms.

Circulatory System

PS: Physical Science

PS.1: This topic focuses on the study of foundational concepts of the particulate nature of matter, linear motion, and kinetic and potential energy.

PS.1.2: Changes of state are explained by a model of matter composed of atoms and/or molecules that are in motion.

PS.1.2.a: When substances undergo changes of state, neither atoms nor molecules themselves are changed in structure.

Phases of Water

PS.1.3: There are two categories of energy: kinetic and potential.

PS.1.3.a: Objects and substances in motion have kinetic energy.

Air Track
Inclined Plane - Sliding Objects
Sled Wars

PS.1.3.b: Objects and substances can have energy as a result of their position (potential energy).

Inclined Plane - Sliding Objects
Potential Energy on Shelves

PS.1.4: An object's motion can be described by its speed and the direction in which it is moving.

PS.1.4.a: An object's position and speed can be measured and graphed as a function of time.

Distance-Time Graphs - Metric
Free Fall Tower
Free-Fall Laboratory
Measuring Motion