MS.GDR: Growth, Development, and Reproduction of Organisms

MS-LS3-1: Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) located on chromosomes may affect proteins and may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to the structure and function of the organism.

Evolution: Mutation and Selection
Genetic Engineering
Human Karyotyping

MS-LS4-5: Gather and synthesize information about the technologies that have changed the way humans influence the inheritance of desired traits in organisms.

Evolution: Natural and Artificial Selection
GMOs and the Environment
Genetic Engineering

MS.NS: Natural Selection and Adaptations

MS-LS4-1: Analyze and interpret data for patterns in the fossil record that document the existence, diversity, extinction, and change of life forms throughout the history of life on Earth under the assumption that natural laws operate today as in the past.

Human Evolution - Skull Analysis

MS-LS4-2: Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation for the anatomical similarities and differences among modern organisms and between modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships.

Cladograms
Embryo Development
Human Evolution - Skull Analysis

MS-LS4-3: Analyze displays of pictorial data to compare patterns of similarities in the embryological development across multiple species to identify relationships not evident in the fully formed anatomy.

Embryo Development

MS-LS4-4: Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population increase some individuals’ probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific environment.

Evolution: Mutation and Selection
Evolution: Natural and Artificial Selection
Microevolution
Natural Selection
Rainfall and Bird Beaks - Metric

MS-LS4-6: Use mathematical representations to support explanations of how natural selection may lead to increases and decreases of specific traits in populations over time.

Evolution: Mutation and Selection
Evolution: Natural and Artificial Selection
Microevolution

MS.SS: Space Systems

MS-ESS1-1: Develop and use a model of the Earth-sun-moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the sun and moon, and seasons.

2D Eclipse
3D Eclipse
Eclipse
Moonrise, Moonset, and Phases
Phases of the Moon
Seasons Around the World
Seasons in 3D
Seasons: Earth, Moon, and Sun
Seasons: Why do we have them?
Summer and Winter

MS-ESS1-2: Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the motions within galaxies and the solar system.

Gravity Pitch
Solar System
Solar System Explorer

MS-ESS1-3: Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system.

Solar System
Solar System Explorer
Weight and Mass

MS.FI: Forces and Interactions

MS-PS2-1: Apply Newton’s Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects.

Crumple Zones

MS-PS2-2: Plan an investigation to provide evidence that the change in an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object.

Crumple Zones
Fan Cart Physics
Force and Fan Carts
Free-Fall Laboratory

MS-PS2-3: Ask questions about data to determine the factors that affect the strength of electric and magnetic forces.

Charge Launcher
Magnetic Induction
Pith Ball Lab

MS-PS2-4: Construct and present arguments using evidence to support the claim that gravitational interactions are attractive and depend on the masses of interacting objects.

Gravitational Force
Gravity Pitch
Weight and Mass

MS-PS2-5: Conduct an investigation and evaluate the experimental design to provide evidence that fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other even though the objects are not in contact.

Charge Launcher
Coulomb Force (Static)
Electromagnetic Induction
Magnetic Induction
Magnetism
Pith Ball Lab

MS.E: Energy

MS-PS3-1: Construct and interpret graphical displays of data to describe the relationships of kinetic energy to the mass of an object and to the speed of an object.

Air Track
Energy of a Pendulum
Inclined Plane - Sliding Objects
Roller Coaster Physics
Sled Wars
Trebuchet

MS-PS3-2: Develop a model to describe that when the arrangement of objects interacting at a distance changes, different amounts of potential energy are stored in the system.

Energy Conversion in a System
Energy of a Pendulum
Inclined Plane - Sliding Objects
Potential Energy on Shelves
Roller Coaster Physics
Trebuchet

MS.WER: Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation

MS-PS4-1: Use mathematical representations to describe a simple model for waves that includes how the amplitude of a wave is related to the energy in a wave.

Waves

MS-PS4-2: Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials.

Basic Prism
Color Absorption
Earthquakes 1 - Recording Station
Heat Absorption
Laser Reflection
Longitudinal Waves
Radiation
Refraction
Ripple Tank
Waves

MS.HI: Human Impacts

MS-ESS3-4: Construct an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth’s systems.

Carbon Cycle
Coral Reefs 2 - Biotic Factors

MS.ED: Engineering Design

MS-ETS1-1: Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.

Crumple Zones
Feel the Heat
GMOs and the Environment
Genetic Engineering
Pendulum Clock
Trebuchet

MS-ETS1-2: Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

Crumple Zones
Digestive System
Feel the Heat
GMOs and the Environment
Genetic Engineering
Pendulum Clock
Programmable Rover
Trebuchet

MS-ETS1-3: Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success.

Digestive System
GMOs and the Environment
Genetic Engineering
Trebuchet

MS-ETS1-4: Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved.

Crumple Zones
Feel the Heat
Pendulum Clock
Programmable Rover
Trebuchet