Physical & Chemical Properties/ Chemical Change

All matter has physical and chemical properties and every substance reacts in a predictable, characteristic manner when interacting with other substances. Some of these interactions, called chemical reactions, release energy and some store energy. During chemical reactions, the smallest units of that substance, atoms, rearrange and regroup to produce new substances that have different properties than the original substance. During this reaction and rearrangement, all the atoms are accounted for and none are lost. The atoms are just in a new configuration and the total number of atoms present before the reaction is equal to the number of atoms after the reaction.  

Includes: MS-PS1-3, MS-PS1-5, MS-PS1-6, MS-LS1-7

Cycles & Energy Flow

Energy and matter cycle throughout our planet. As they do, the matter changes chemically and physically. The planet’s systems interact to shape Earth’s history and future. The water cycle is only one of these many systems, and it causes weathering and erosion on the surface of Earth and in its interior. By mapping the natural events in an area and understanding the geological forces involved, future events can be predicted. 

Includes: MS-ESS2-1, MS-ESS2-2, MS-ESS3-2

Plate Tectonics/ Catastrophic Events/ Waves in the Earth

Waves transfer energy in repeating patterns. Large plates of Earth’s surface have moved and continue to move due to natural forces in the Earth’s interior. This process is evident from observations of rock, fossils, continental shapes, and the ocean floor. By understanding tectonic forces and the waves created as these plates move, students are able to forecast possible future catastrophic events in nature. 

Includes: MS-PS4-1, MS-ESS2-3, MS-ESS3-2

Geological Time Scale & Fossils

Earth’s history is documented in chronological order using the fossil record, which is a collection of fossils found in layers of rock around the planet. This history contains information on the existence, diversity, and extinctions of life over time. Anatomical similarities in species of organisms may help to infer ancestral relationships.

Includes: MS-LS4-1, MS-LS4-2, MS-ESS1-4

Earth & Human Activity

Humans rely on natural resources from the Earth to meet their ever changing needs. While students use Earth’s natural resources in every part of their lives, they may not be aware that many of these resources are not renewable or replaceable over their lifetimes. Natural resources occur all around the world, but are not distributed evenly. From the time that the Earth was formed, it has undergone a number of physical processes which have resulted in great variations between different areas. Since natural resources often need specific conditions in which to form, they are not distributed evenly across the world. The growth in world population and an increase in per-capita consumption is stretching natural resources to their limit. This may have a negative impact on Earth unless actions are taken to mitigate this impact.

Includes: MS-ESS3-1, MS-ESS3-4

Waves & Their Application for Information Transfer

A wave is a disturbance involving the transfer of energy from place to place. Each wave has a repeating pattern of wavelengths, frequency, and amplitude that allows for energy or information to travel distances. By understanding how waves work and how to use waves, students are able to apply that knowledge to situations associated with advancements in communication.

Includes: MS-PS4-1, MS-PS4-2, MS-PS4-3

Motion & Forces

Force is required in order to change the speed or direction of an object’s motion. The change in motion of an object is affected by the mass of the object and the size of the force applied. Forces between objects occur in pairs known as action/reaction pairs. Whenever an object pushes or pulls another object, it gets pushed or pulled back in the opposite direction with an equal force.

Includes: MS-PS2-1, MS-PS2-2