LS.1: The student will demonstrate an understanding of scientific and engineering practices by

LS.1.a: asking questions and defining problems

LS.1.a.1: ask questions and develop hypotheses to determine relationships between independent and dependent variables

Pendulum Clock
Sight vs. Sound Reactions

LS.1.a.2: offer simple solutions to design problems

Trebuchet

LS.1.b: planning and carrying out investigations

LS.1.b.1: independently and collaboratively plan and conduct observational and experimental investigations; identify variables, constants, and controls where appropriate and include the safe use of chemicals and equipment

Coral Reefs 2 - Biotic Factors
Effect of Environment on New Life Form
Growing Plants
Hearing: Frequency and Volume
Pendulum Clock
Real-Time Histogram
Seed Germination
Sight vs. Sound Reactions
Temperature and Sex Determination - Metric
Time Estimation

LS.1.c: interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data

LS.1.c.1: identify, interpret, and evaluate patterns in data

Pattern Finder
Temperature and Sex Determination - Metric

LS.1.c.2: construct, analyze, and interpret graphical displays of data

Disease Spread
Distance-Time Graphs - Metric
Graphing Skills
Temperature and Sex Determination - Metric

LS.1.f: obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

LS.1.f.3: construct, use, and/or present an argument supported by empirical evidence and scientific reasoning

Carbon Cycle

LS.2: The student will investigate and understand that all living things are composed of one or more cells that support life processes, as described by the cell theory. Key ideas include

LS.2.b: cell structure and organelles support life processes;

Cell Structure
Cell Types
Paramecium Homeostasis
RNA and Protein Synthesis

LS.2.c: similarities and differences between plant and animal cells determine how they support life processes;

Cell Structure
Cell Types

LS.2.d: cell division is the mechanism for growth and reproduction; and

Cell Division
Meiosis

LS.2.e: cellular transport (osmosis and diffusion) is important for life processes.

Diffusion
Osmosis
Paramecium Homeostasis

LS.3: The student will investigate and understand that there are levels of structural organization in living things. Key ideas include

LS.3.c: similar characteristics determine the classification of organisms.

Cladograms
Dichotomous Keys
Human Evolution - Skull Analysis

LS.4: The student will investigate and understand that there are chemical processes of energy transfer which are important for life. Key ideas include

LS.4.a: photosynthesis is the foundation of virtually all food webs; and

Forest Ecosystem

LS.4.b: photosynthesis and cellular respiration support life processes.

Cell Energy Cycle
Photosynthesis Lab

LS.5: The student will investigate and understand that biotic and abiotic factors affect an ecosystem. Key ideas include

LS.5.a: matter moves through ecosystems via the carbon, water, and nitrogen cycles;

Carbon Cycle
Cell Energy Cycle
Water Cycle

LS.5.b: energy flow is represented by food webs and energy pyramids; and

Food Chain
Forest Ecosystem

LS.5.c: relationships exist among producers, consumers, and decomposers.

Food Chain
Forest Ecosystem
Prairie Ecosystem
Rabbit Population by Season
Ecosystems

LS.6: The student will investigate and understand that populations in a biological community interact and are interdependent. Key ideas include

LS.6.a: relationships exist between predators and prey and these relationships are modeled in food webs;

Coral Reefs 1 - Abiotic Factors
Food Chain
Forest Ecosystem
Prairie Ecosystem
Ecosystems

LS.6.b: the availability and use of resources may lead to competition and cooperation;

Prairie Ecosystem

LS.6.d: the niche of each organism supports survival.

Forest Ecosystem

LS.7: The student will investigate and understand that adaptations support an organism’s survival in an ecosystem. Key ideas include

LS.7.a: biotic and abiotic factors define land, marine, and freshwater ecosystems; and

Coral Reefs 1 - Abiotic Factors
Coral Reefs 2 - Biotic Factors
Pond Ecosystem

LS.7.b: physical and behavioral characteristics enable organisms to survive within a specific ecosystem.

Natural Selection
Rainfall and Bird Beaks
Rainfall and Bird Beaks - Metric

LS.8: The student will investigate and understand that ecosystems, communities, populations, and organisms are dynamic and change over time. Key ideas include

LS.8.a: organisms respond to daily, seasonal, and long-term changes;

Natural Selection
Rabbit Population by Season

LS.8.b: changes in the environment may increase or decrease population size; and

Coral Reefs 1 - Abiotic Factors
Food Chain
Forest Ecosystem
Pond Ecosystem
Prairie Ecosystem
Rabbit Population by Season

LS.8.c: large-scale changes such as eutrophication, climate changes, and catastrophic disturbances affect ecosystems.

Coral Reefs 1 - Abiotic Factors
Coral Reefs 2 - Biotic Factors
Pond Ecosystem

LS.9: The student will investigate and understand that relationships exist between ecosystem dynamics and human activity. Key ideas include

Coral Reefs 1 - Abiotic Factors
Coral Reefs 2 - Biotic Factors
Pond Ecosystem

LS.9.a: changes in habitat can disturb populations;

Coral Reefs 1 - Abiotic Factors
Coral Reefs 2 - Biotic Factors
Rabbit Population by Season

LS.9.c: variations in biotic and abiotic factors can change ecosystems.

Coral Reefs 1 - Abiotic Factors
Pond Ecosystem

LS.10: The student will investigate and understand that organisms reproduce and transmit genetic information to new generations. Key ideas include

LS.10.a: DNA has a role in making proteins that determine organism traits;

Building DNA
RNA and Protein Synthesis

LS.10.b: the role of meiosis is to transfer traits to the next generation; and

Meiosis

LS.10.c: Punnett squares are mathematical models used to predict the probability of traits in offspring.

Chicken Genetics
Fast Plants^® 1 - Growth and Genetics
Fast Plants^® 2 - Mystery Parent
Mouse Genetics (One Trait)
Mouse Genetics (Two Traits)

LS.11: The student will investigate and understand that populations of organisms can change over time. Key ideas include

LS.11.a: mutation, adaptation, natural selection, and extinction change populations;

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

LS.11.b: the fossil record, genetic information, and anatomical comparisons provide evidence for evolution; and

Cladograms
Human Evolution - Skull Analysis

LS.11.c: environmental factors and genetic variation, influence survivability and diversity of organisms.

Evolution: Mutation and Selection
Rainfall and Bird Beaks - Metric