P: Physical Science

P.1: All matter is made up of atoms. Its structure is made up of repeating patterns and has characteristic properties. The student will engage in investigations that integrate the process standards and lead to the discovery of the following objectives:

P.1.1: Matter is made up of minute particles called atoms, and atoms are composed of even smaller components (i.e., protons, neutrons, and electrons).

2D Collisions
Air Track
Atwood Machine
Electron Configuration
Element Builder
Fan Cart Physics
Inclined Plane - Simple Machine
Inclined Plane - Sliding Objects
Nuclear Decay
Uniform Circular Motion

P.1.2: An element is composed of a single type of atoms. When elements are listed in order according to the number of protons (called the atomic number), repeating patterns of physical and chemical properties identify families of elements with similar properties.

Electron Configuration
Element Builder
Gravitational Force
Uniform Circular Motion

P.2: The motion of an object can be described by its position, direction of motion, and speed. A change in motion occurs when a net force is applied. The student will engage in investigations that integrate the process standards and lead to the discovery of the following objectives:

P.2.1: Objects change their motion only when a net force is applied. Laws of motion are used to determine the effects of forces on the motion of objects.

2D Collisions
Air Track
Atwood Machine
Fan Cart Physics
Inclined Plane - Simple Machine
Inclined Plane - Sliding Objects
Pith Ball Lab
Uniform Circular Motion

P.2.2: Gravitation is a universal force that each mass exerts on any other mass.

Air Track
Energy of a Pendulum
Gravitational Force
Inclined Plane - Rolling Objects
Inclined Plane - Simple Machine
Inclined Plane - Sliding Objects
Period of a Pendulum
Potential Energy on Shelves
Roller Coaster Physics
Simple Harmonic Motion

P.3: Energy, such as potential, kinetic, and field, interacts with matter and is transferred during these interactions. The student will engage in investigations that integrate the process standards and lead to the discovery of the following objectives:

P.3.1: All energy can be considered to be either kinetic energy, which is the energy of motion; potential energy, which depends on relative position; or energy contained by a field, such as electromagnetic waves.

Air Track
Bohr Model of Hydrogen
Bohr Model: Introduction
Energy of a Pendulum
Inclined Plane - Rolling Objects
Inclined Plane - Simple Machine
Photoelectric Effect
Potential Energy on Shelves

P.3.2: Waves, including sounds and seismic waves, waves on water, and light waves, have energy and can transfer energy when they interact with matter (such as used in telescopes, solar power, and telecommunication technology).

Freefall Laboratory
Photoelectric Effect

P.4: A system that has changed over time, which includes dynamic changes in the earth's crust, is the Earth system. The student will engage in investigations that integrate the process standards and lead to the discovery of the following objectives:

P.4.1: Geologic time can be estimated by observing rock sequences and using fossils to correlate the sequences at various locations.

Human Evolution - Skull Analysis

P.4.2: The solid crust of the earth consists of separate plates that move very slowly pressing against one another in some places and pulling apart in other places (i.e., volcanoes, earthquakes and mountain building).

Plate Tectonics

P.5: The universe is an ever-changing system of matter and energy that exists now, in the past, and in the future. The student will engage in investigations that integrate the process standards and lead to the discovery of the following objectives:

P.5.1: The stars differ from each other in size, temperature, and age, but they appear to be made up of the same elements that are found on the earth.

H-R Diagram
Star Spectra

B: Biology I

B.1: Cells are the fundamental unit of life, comprised of a variety of structures that perform functions necessary to maintain life. The student will engage in investigations that integrate the process standards and lead to the discovery of the following objectives:

B.1.1: Cells are composed of a variety of structures such as the nucleus, cell membrane, cell wall, cytoplasm, ribosomes, mitochondria, and chloroplasts.

Cell Energy Cycle
Cell Structure
Osmosis
Paramecium Homeostasis
Photosynthesis Lab
RNA and Protein Synthesis

B.2: DNA determines the characteristics of organisms. The student will engage in investigations that integrate the process standards and lead to the discovery of the following objectives:

B.2.1: Cells function according to the information contained in the master code of DNA (i.e., cell cycle, DNA to DNA, and DNA to RNA). Transfer RNA and protein synthesis will be taught in life science courses with rigor greater than Biology I.

Cell Structure
RNA and Protein Synthesis

B.2.2: A sorting and recombination of genes in reproduction results in a great variety of possible gene combinations from the offspring of any two parents (i.e., Punnett squares and pedigrees). Students will understand the following concepts in a single trait cross: alleles, dominant trait, recessive trait, phenotype, genotype, homozygous, and heterozygous.

Chicken Genetics
Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium
Mouse Genetics (One Trait)
Mouse Genetics (Two Traits)

B.3: Diversity of species is developed through gradual processes over many generations. The student will engage in investigations that integrate the process standards and lead to the discovery of the following objectives:

B.3.2: Species acquire many of their unique characteristics through biological adaptation, which involves the selection of naturally occurring variations in populations. Biological adaptations include changes in structures, behaviors, or physiology, which may enhance or limit the survival and reproductive success in a particular environment.

Evolution: Mutation and Selection
Human Evolution - Skull Analysis
Natural Selection

B.4: Interrelationships and interactions between and among organisms in an environment is the interdependence of organisms. The student will engage in investigations that integrate the process standards and lead to the discovery of the following objectives:

B.4.3: Living organisms have the capacity to produce populations of infinite size, but environments and resources limit population size (i.e., carrying capacity and limiting factors).

Food Chain
Rabbit Population by Season

B.5: Living systems require a continuous input of energy to maintain their chemical and physical organizations. The student will engage in investigations that integrate the process standards and lead to the discovery of the following objectives:

B.5.1: The complexity and organization of organisms accommodates the need for obtaining, transforming, transporting, releasing, and eliminating the matter and energy used to sustain the organism (i.e., photosynthesis and cellular respiration).

Cell Energy Cycle
Interdependence of Plants and Animals
Osmosis
Photosynthesis Lab

B.5.2: As matter and energy flow through different levels of organization of living systems and between living systems and the physical environment, chemical elements are recombined in different ways by different structures. Matter and energy are conserved in each change (i.e., water cycle, carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, food webs, and energy pyramids).

Food Chain

B.6: Organisms have behavioral responses to internal changes and to external stimuli. The student will engage in investigations that integrate the process standards and lead to the discovery of the following objectives:

B.6.1: Specialized cells enable organisms to monitor what is going on in the world around them (e.g., detect light, sound, specific chemicals, gravity, plant tropism, sense organs, homeostasis).

Cell Structure
Paramecium Homeostasis

B.6.2: Responses to external stimuli can result from interactions with the organism’s own species and others, as well as environmental changes; these responses either can be innate or learned. Broad patterns of behavior exhibited by animals have changed over time to ensure reproductive success.

Food Chain
Human Homeostasis

C: Chemistry

C.1: All matter is made up of atoms. Its structure is made up of repeating patterns and has characteristic properties. The student will engage in investigations that integrate the process and inquiry standards and lead to the discovery of the following objectives:

C.1.1: Matter is made of atoms and atoms are composed of even smaller components (i.e., protons, neutrons and electrons).

Electron Configuration
Element Builder
Nuclear Decay

C.1.2: Atoms interact with one another by transferring or sharing outer electrons that are farthest from the nucleus. These outer electrons govern the chemical properties of the element.

Bohr Model of Hydrogen
Bohr Model: Introduction
Electron Configuration
Element Builder

C.1.3: An element is composed of a single type of atom. When elements are listed in order according to the number of protons, repeating patterns of physical and chemical properties identify families of elements with similar properties.

Electron Configuration
Element Builder

C.1.4: A compound is formed when two or more kinds of atoms bind together chemically. Each compound has unique chemical and physical properties.

Covalent Bonds
Dehydration Synthesis

C.1.5: Solids, liquids, and gases differ in the energy that binds them together.

Phase Changes

C.2: A chemical reaction is a reaction in which one or more substances are converted into different substances. A chemical change cannot be reversed by physical means. The student will engage in investigations that integrate the process and inquiry standards and lead to the discovery of the following objectives:

C.2.1: A large number of important reactions involve the transfer of either electrons (oxidation/reduction) or hydrogen ions (acid/base reactions).

Electron Configuration
Element Builder

C.2.2: The rate of chemical reactions is affected by the concentration and temperature of the reacting materials. Catalysts accelerate chemical reactions.

Collision Theory

C.2.4: Mass is conserved in chemical reactions (balancing of equations).

Balancing Chemical Equations
Chemical Equation Balancing

P.1.3: Matter has characteristic properties, such as boiling points, melting points, and density, which distinguish pure substances and can be used to separate one substance from another.

Gravitational Force

P.2.3: Heat consists of random motion and the vibrations of atoms, molecules, and ions. The higher the temperature, the greater the atomic or molecular motion.

Boyle's Law and Charles' Law
Temperature and Particle Motion