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Science Standards of Learning
The Science Standards represent intended knowledge and skills. These 77 standards are aligned to the expected skills and knowledge identified in the CSEC science examinations for Integrated Science, Biology, Human and Social Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Furthermore, the expected proficiency as described in the School-based Assessment (SBA) is included. The 45 Science standards are also aligned to the National Science Education guiding principle that “improving education is a part of systematic education reform.” Note, the following codes are used in this subsection: Science Inquiry (Sc), Biology (Bio), Marine Biology (Marine B), Life Science (Life Sc), and Chemistry (Chem).
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Scientific Inquiry
Kindly note: In this subsection, Standards for Scientific Inquiry are presented. These standards are embedded across the science school curriculum; hence, there is no required knowledge, skills, attitudes and dispositions.
Sc: 1 Demonstrate an understanding of how scientific inquiry and technological design, including mathematical analysis, can be used appropriately to pose questions, seek answers, and develop solutions
Sc: 2 Use appropriate laboratory apparatuses, technology, and techniques safely and accurately when conducting a scientific investigation
Sc: 3 Use scientific instruments to record measurement data in appropriate metric units that reflect the precision and accuracy of each particular instrument
Sc: 4 Design a scientific investigation with appropriate methods of control to test a hypothesis (including independent and dependent variables), and evaluate the designs of sample investigations
Sc: 5 Organize and interpret the data from a controlled scientific investigation by using mathematics, graphs, models, and/or technology
Sc: 6 Evaluate the results of a controlled scientific investigation in terms of whether they refute or verify the hypothesis
Sc: 7 Evaluate a technological design or product on the basis of designated criteria (including cost, time, and materials)
Sc: 8 Compare the processes of scientific investigation and technological design
Sc: 9 Use appropriate safety procedures when conducting investigations
Biology
Bio: 1 Compare the structures and organelles
Bio: 2 Explain the process of cell differentiation as the basis for the hierarchical organization of organisms (including cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems)
Bio: 3 Explain how active, passive, and facilitated transport serve to maintain the homeostasis of the cell
Bio: 4 Summarize the characteristics of the cell cycle: interphase (called G1, S, G2); the phases of mitosis (called prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase); and plant and animal cytokinesis
Bio: 5 Summarize how cell regulation controls and coordinates cell growth and division and allows cells to respond to the environment, and recognize the consequences of uncontrolled cell division
Bio: 6 Explain the factors that affect the rates of biochemical reactions (including pH, temperature, and the role of enzymes as catalysts)
Bio: 7 Demonstrate an understanding of the flow of energy within and between living systems.
Bio: 8 Summarize the basic aerobic and anaerobic processes of cellular respiration and interpret the chemical equation for cellular respiration
Bio: 9 Recognize the overall structure of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)—namely, adenine, the sugar ribose, and three phosphate groups--and summarize its function (including the ATP-ADP [adenosine diphosphate] cycle)
Bio: 10 Exemplify ways that introduce new genetic characteristics into an organism or a population by applying the principles of modern genetics
Bio: 11 Demonstrate an understanding of biological evolution and the diversity of life
Bio: 12 Summarize how the structures of organic molecules (including proteins, carbohydrates, and fats) are related to their relative caloric values
Bio: 13 Summarize the functions of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats in the human body
Bio: 14 Illustrate the flow of energy through ecosystems
Bio: 15 Demonstrate an understanding of the molecular basis of heredity
Bio: 16 Summarize the relationship among DNA, genes, and chromosomes
Bio: 17 Explain how DNA functions as the code of life and the blueprint for proteins
Bio: 18 Summarize the basic processes involved in protein synthesis (including transcription and translation)
Bio: 19 Summarize the characteristics of the phases of meiosis I and II
Bio: 20 Predict inherited traits by using the principles of Mendelian genetics (including
segregation, independent assortment, and dominance)
Bio: 21 Summarize the chromosome theory of inheritance and relate that theory to Gregor
Mendel’s principles of genetics
Bio: 22 Compare the consequences of mutations in body cells with those in gametes
Bio: 23 Demonstrate an understanding of the interrelationships among organisms and the biotic
and abiotic indicators of their environments
Knowledge
1. Explain how genetic processes result in the continuity of life-forms over time
2. Explain how diversity within a species increases the chances of its survival
3. Explain how genetic variability and environmental factors lead to biological evolution
4. Exemplify scientific evidence in the fields of anatomy, embryology, biochemistry, and paleontology that underlies the theory of biological evolution
5. Compare DNA and RNA in terms of structure, nucleotides, and base pairs
6. Describe scientific discoveries and their contribution to scientific knowledge
7. Identify natural selection amongst organisms
8. Describe the effects of Pasteur’s and Koch’s experimentation and hypotheses
9. Identify modern health practices and the development of vaccinations and other chemicals and processes
10. Explain how the interrelationships among organisms (including predation, competition, parasitism, mutualism, and commensalism) generate stability within ecosystems
11. Explain how populations are affected by limiting factors(including density-dependent, density-independent, abiotic, and biotic factors)
12. Illustrate the processes of succession in ecosystems
13. Exemplify the role of organisms in the geochemical cycles (including the cycles of carbon, nitrogen, and water)
14. Explain how ecosystems maintain themselves through naturally occurring processes (including maintaining the quality of the atmosphere, generating soils, controlling the hydrologic cycle, disposing of wastes, and recycling nutrients)
15. Explain how human activities (including population growth, technology, and consumption of resources) affect the physical and chemical cycles and processes of Earth
Skills
1. Use appropriate technology for data collection
2. Apply logic, and construct an argument based on reported data
3. Determine the extent to which data support/do not support a hypothesis
4. Propose further hypotheses and directions for continued research
Attitude and Disposition
1. Applications to biomedical issues and ethics
Marine Biology
Marine B: 1 Explain the relationship between organisms living in unpredictable environments and the evolution of characteristics that are flexible enough to accommodate uncertainty and change
Marine B: 2 Distinguishes adaptation from acclimation
Marine B: 3 Explains why organisms in similar environments converge in form and function.
Marine B: 4 Analyzes life history patterns (e.g., lifespan, age of reproduction, iteroparous vs. semelparous reproduction) in terms of trade-offs in the allocation of limited resources, in a way that optimizes the fitness of the organism
Marine B: 5 Analyzes dispersal (e.g., migration, larval transport) in terms of risks (e.g. extinction), rewards (e.g., escaping predators and parasites), and the unpredictability of many environments
Marine B: 6 Explains why, although diversity has traditionally been defined at the species level, distinctions that are broader (e.g., community, ecosystem) and narrower (e.g. within-species) may be necessary for some conservation-related purposes
Marine B: 7 Explains that some traits that reduce an individual’s chance of survival spread through and are maintained in a population because of advantages those traits confer in reproductive success
Marine B: 8 Recognizes that some heritable characteristics can persist in a population due to chance alone
Marine B: 9 Analyze ecology as interrelationships of biotic and abiotic factors and explains the transfer of matter and energy within ecosystems
Knowledge
1. Explains why ecosystems tend to recover from a disturbance in stages that eventually result in a system similar to the original one
2. Explains why distinct communities can persist in very similar environments (e.g., by referring to succession, trophic cascades, and alternative stable states)
Skills
1. Provides examples of how human activities can alter marine ecosystems in ways that affect humans (e.g. by introducing new species, adding nutrients to coastal waters, overharvesting food species)
2. Hypothesizes about how marine ecosystems may change due to climate changes and due to the appearance of one or more new species as a result of migration or transport by humans
3. Analyzes the factors that limit the amount of life a given environment can support
Attitudes and Disposition
1. Explains why small populations are at increased risk of extinction
2. Justifies recommendations for marine protected areas (e.g., based on source-sink , analysis of life history characteristics, and human use)
Life Science
Life Sc: 1 Conduct investigations and use chemicals and equipments safely
Life Sc: 2 Use a variety of resources to conduct scientific research
Life Sc: 3 Acquire understanding of the nature of science
Life Sc: 4 Understand the modern and historical models of atomic structure
Life Sc: 5 Identify and interpret the organization and use of the periodic table of elements to obtain information
Life Sc: 6 Investigate and understand states and forms of energy and how energy is transferred and transformed
Life Sc: 7 Investigate and understand characteristics of sound and technological applications of sound waves
Life Sc: 8 Investigate and understand scientific principles and technological applications of work, force, and motion
Life Sc: 9 Investigate and understand basic principles of electricity and magnetism
Life Sc: 10 Understand the history of biological concepts and efforts of scientists, past and present
Life Sc: 11 Investigate and understand the chemical and biochemical principles
Life Sc: 12 Investigate and understand relationships between cell structure and function
Life Sc: 13 Investigate and understand life functions
Life Sc: 13 Investigate and understand common mechanisms of inheritance and protein synthesis
Life Sc: 14 Investigate and understand bases for modern classification systems
Life Sc: 15 Investigate and understand how populations change through time
Knowledge
1. Derive findings from scientific experimentation
2. Measure and report findings using appropriate units
3. Identify variables and control during scientific experimentation
4. Report findings consistent with scientific report procedures
5. State valid conclusions based on findings
6. Describe the contributions of Dalton, Thomson, Rutherford, and Bohr
7. Describe cell theory
8. Identify and provide examples of ecosystems
9. Describe various life functions
10. Describe cell growth and division
11. Identify structural similarities among organisms
12. Describe evidence found in fossil records
13. Explain interactions within and among populations including limiting factors and growth curves
14. Identify nutrient cycling and energy flow through ecosystems including succession patterns in ecosystems
15. Explain various flora, fauna, and microorganisms
Skills
1. Gather, evaluate and summarize data from multiple sources
2. Convert among metric units by applying appropriate prefixes
3. Conduct and evaluate systematic investigations
4. Identify components of controlled experiments: hypothesis, independent, dependent variables, constants, controls and repeated trials
5. Identify conclusions based on facts
6. Communicate findings in written form
7. Use the periodic table to obtain information
8. Acquire reasoning and logical thinking skills
9. Accurately use mathematical formulae
10. Use a Punnett square to show all possible combinations of gametes
11. Explain scientific explanations
12. Graph and interpret population growth curves
13. Observe and identify flora and fauna in a local community
Attitudes and Disposition
1. Defend findings using data
2. Apply safety procedures when conducting scientific experiments
Chemistry
Chem: 1 Investigate and understand experiments in which variables are measured, analyzed, and evaluated
Chem: 2 Investigate and understand experiments in which variables are evaluated and observations and data are verified
Chem: 3 Investigate and understand that the placement of elements on the periodic table is a function of their atomic structure
Chem: 4 Investigate and understand how conservation of energy and matter is expressed in chemical formulae and balanced equations
Chem: 5 Investigate and understand that quantities in a chemical reaction are based on molar relationships
Chem: 6 Investigate and understand that the phases of matter are explained by kinetic theory and forces of attraction between particles
Knowledge
1. Identify and use basic lab techniques such as filtering, decanting, etc.
2. State accuracy in terms of closeness to the true value of a measurement
3. Examine the use of scientific notation using the correct number of significant digits
4. Know average atomic mass, mass number, and atomic number
5. Identify that the periodic table is used to locate multiple information such as families or group; series and periods, trends including atomic radii
6. Identify and explain elements of electron configuration
7. Know that electron configuration is the arrangement of electrons around the nucleus of an atom based on their energy level
8. Explain that atoms can gain, lose, or share electrons within the outer energy level
9. Identify that matter is classified by its chemical and physical properties
10. Explain atomic structures and changes
11. Write chemical formulae
12. Balance chemical equations
13. Know and explain that conservation of matter is represented in balanced chemical equations
Skills
1. Use designated laboratory techniques
2. Safely use chemicals and equipment
3. Identify skills to respond appropriately to emergency situations
4. Use specified equipment to measure volume, mass, temperature, pressure etc.
5. Manipulate multiple variables
6. Accurately record, organize, and analyze data through repeated trials
7. Design and perform experiments to test predictions
8. Record data using the significant digits of the measuring equipment
9. Use the rules for performing operations with significant digits
10. Use a periodic chart to determine the atomic number, atomic mass, the number of protons, the number of electrons, and the number of neutrons of any neutral atom of a particular element
11. Use elements of electron configuration
12. Predict, draw, and name molecular shapes
13. Determine formulas, write equations, and balance chemical equations
14. Write the chemical formulae for certain common substances, such as ammonia, water, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon tetraflouride
15. Graph and interpret a heating curve
16. Calculate energy changes using specific heat capacity
Attitudes and Disposition
1. Value knowledge of chemistry to advance scientific research and findings
2. Understand linkages and emerging technologies bridging biology and chemistry (molecular biology, biochemistry etc.)
Physics
Physics: 1 Plan and conduct investigations in which instruments are selected and used to extend observations and measurements
Physics: 2 Conduct investigations in which information is recorded and presented in an organized format
Physics: 3 Use appropriate technology including computers, graphing calculators for gathering and analyzing data and communicating results
Physics: 4 Understand that a physical problem is translated into a mathematical statement in order to find a solution
Physics: 5 Understand that relationships between physical quantities are determined using the shape of a curve passing through experimentally obtained data
Physics: 6 Investigate and understand that the analysis of systems employs vector quantities utilizing trigonometric and graphical methods
Physics: 7 Analyze scientific sources to develop and modify research hypotheses
Physics: 8 Understand and explain the roles and contribution of physics, science and Technology
Physics: 9 Investigate and understand the interrelationships among mass, distance, force, and time through mathematical and experimental processes
Physics: 10 Investigate and understand properties of fluids
Physics: 11 Investigate and understand transformation of energy
Physics: 12 Investigate and understand how to use models of transverse and longitudinal waves to interpret wave phenomena
Physics: 13 Understand different frequencies and wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum
Physics: 14 Investigate and describe optical systems such as the fundamental processes of reflection, refraction, and image formation
Physics: 15 Investigate and understand how to use the field concept to describe the effects of gravitational, electric, and magnetic forces
Knowledge
1. Identify and explain the difference between the accepted value and the measured value
2. Know that measurements are always recorded with appropriate SI units
3. Explain that the slope of a linear relationship is calculated and includes appropriate units
4. Know that physical phenomena or events can be described in mathematical terms
5. Know that some quantities must be combined using trigonometry
6. Describe and explain how science explains and predicts relationships
7. Identify how new discoveries result in changes within existing theories
8. Identify and explain the interaction between human nature and the scientific process
9. Explain physics discoveries including theoretical and experimental findings
10. Explain advancements in communication, medicine, transportation, commerce, exploration, and technology
11. Explain key concepts such as linear motion, uniform circular motion and projectile motion
12. Explain properties of fluids such as density and pressure and variations of pressure and width
13. Identify various transformational forms of energy
14. Explain wave characteristics
15. Identify phenomena ranging from radio waves through visible light to gamma radiation
16. Identify the properties and behaviors of radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays
17. Explain current applications in physics
18. Describe laws of reflection and refraction
19. Explain Newton’s law of universal gravitation and Coulomb’s law
20. Explain operating principles of motors, generators, transformers, and cathode ray tubes
Skills
1. Perform various types of measurements
2. Follow safe practices in all laboratory procedures
3. Calculate average values and compare to theoretical values
4. Analyze trends to make predictions
5. Use dimensional analysis to solve problems
6. Solve problems involving frequency, period, wavelength and velocity
7. Construct and interpret ray diagrams
Attitudes and Disposition
1. Refute or defend a scientific viewpoint
2. Evaluate and defend interpretations from data
3. Use information to assess environmental factors [interactions of physical and biological systems, global climate change]
4. Demonstrate appreciation for various life forms
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