COUNCIL ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT

ACADEMIC STANDARDS FOR SCIENCE

Council Rock schools shall teach, challenge, and support every student to realize his or her maximum potential and acquire the knowledge and skills to become a scientifically literate citizen. This document includes standards to ensure the achievement of the knowledge and skills defined by the standards.
1.Physical Science Concepts
2.Life Science Concepts
3.Earth and Space Science Concepts
4.Scientific Connections and Applications
5. Scientific Thinking
6. Scientific Tools and Technology
7. Scientific Communication
8. Scientific Investigation
The New Standards for Science are built on the National Science Education Standards (1996) by the National research Council and the Benchmarks for Science Literacy (1993) by the American Association for the Advancement of Science's Project 2061. The New Standards and the National Science Standards are essentially the same. These standards for science describe what students should know and be able to do at four grade levels (fourth, seventh, tenth, and twelfth). These standards are not completely separate from one another, much overlap and integration exists. The standards provide the targets for instruction and student learning essential for success in all academic areas, not just in science classrooms. Although the standards are not a curriculum or a prescribed series of activities, the district will use them to develop our Council Rock curriculum that will meet our students’ needs.
An understanding of science makes it possible for an individual to comprehend the natural world and appreciate its diversity and beauty. Scientific literacy enables the student to use scientific principles and processes in making personal decisions and to participate in discussions of scientific issues that affect society. A sound scientific background strengthens skills such as creative problem solving, critical thinking, working cooperatively in teams, using technology effectively, and valuing life-long learning.
The science standards also provide parents and the community with information about what students should know, understand, and be able to do in natural science as they progress through the educational program and graduate from Council Rock. With targets clearly defined by the standards, parents, students, educators, and community members become partners in education.
1. PHYSICAL SCIENCE CONCEPTS
The student produces evidence that demonstrates understanding of:
S.1A the structure and properties of matter
S.1B light, heat, electricity and energy conversions
S.1C the position and motion of objects
S.1D the universe and the earth's place in it
2. LIFE SCIENCE CONCEPTS
The student produces evidence that demonstrates understanding of:
S.2A the characteristics of organisms
S.2B reproduction and heredity
S.2C the diversity and adaptations of organisms.
S.2D biological evolution.
S.2E matter, energy, and organization in living systems.
S.2F watersheds and wetlands.
S.2G the structure and function in living systems.
S.2H ecosystems and their interactions.
3. Earth and Space Sciences Concepts
The student produces evidence that demonstrates understanding of:
S.3A Earth properties, features and processes.
S.3B Earth's history, its cycles and the sky.
S.3C Changes in earth and sky.
S.3D Natural resource management.
S.3E Meteorology.
S.3F Earth's water cycle.
4. SCIENTIFIC CONNECTIONS and APPLICATIONS
Unifying concepts and processes:
S.4A Big ideas and unifying concepts, such as order and organization; models, form and function; change and constancy; and cause and effect.
S.4B Abilities of technological design.
S.4C Science in personal and social perspective.
S.4D Threatened, endangered and extinct species.
S.4E Humans and the environment.
S.4F Understanding about science and technology.
S.4G S.4G History and nature of science.
5. SCIENTIFIC THINKING
The student demonstrates scientific inquiry and problem solving by using thoughtful questioning and reasoning strategies, common sense and conceptual understanding from Science Standards 1 through 4, and appropriate methods to investigate the natural world; that is:
S.5A Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry.
S.5B Understanding about scientific inquiry.
6. SCIENTIFIC TOOLS and TECHNOLOGIES
The student demonstrates competence with the tools and technologies of science by using them to collect data, make observations, analyze results, and accomplish tasks effectively; that is:
S.6 Competence with the tools and technology of science.
7. SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATION
The student demonstrates effective scientific communication by clearly describing aspects of the natural world using accurate data, graphs, or other appropriate media to convey depth of conceptual understanding in science; that is:
S.7A Demonstrates effective scientific communication by clearly describing aspects of the natural world.
S.7B Demonstrates the effective use of scale as it relates to measuring and modeling.
8. SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION
The student demonstrates scientific competence in scientific inquiry using Science Standards 1 through 7.
S.8 Demonstrates scientific competence by completing projects, fieldwork and controlled experiments.