Grade-Level Indicators
SCIENCE
Grade Twelve
GRADE TWELVE
Earth and Space Sciences
Life Sciences
Physical Sciences
Science and Technology
Scientific Inquiry
Scientific Ways of Knowing
|
Earth and Space Sciences
Students demonstrate an
understanding
about how Earth systems and processes interact in the geosphere
resulting in the habitability of Earth. This includes demonstrating
an understanding of the composition of the universe, the Solar System
and Earth. In addition, it includes understanding the properties
and the interconnected nature of Earth’s systems, processes that
shape the Earth and Earth’s history. Students also demonstrate an
understanding of how the concepts and principles of energy, matter,
motion and forces explain Earth systems, the Solar System, and the
Universe. Finally, they grasp an understanding of the historical
perspectives, scientific approaches and emerging scientific issues
associated with the Earth and space sciences. |
| Benchmark A. Explain how technology can be used to
gather
evidence and increase our understanding of the universe. The Universe 1. Explain how scientists obtain information about the universe by using technology to detect electromagnetic radiation that is emitted, reflected or absorbed by stars and other objects. 2. Explain how the large-scale motion of objects in the universe is governed by gravitational forces and detected by observing electro-magnetic radiation. 3. Explain how information about the universe is inferred by understanding that stars and other objects in space emit, reflect or absorb electromagnetic radiation, which we then detect. 4. Explain how astronomers infer that the whole universe is expanding by understanding how light seen from distant galaxies has longer apparent wavelengths than comparable light sources close to Earth. Benchmark B. Describe how Earth is made up of a series of interconnected systems and how a change in one system affects other systems. Earth Systems 5. Investigate how thermal energy transfers in the world’s oceans impact physical features (e.g., ice caps, oceanic and atmospheric currents) and weather patterns. 6. Describe how scientists estimate how much of a given resource is available on Earth. Benchmark C. Explain that humans are an integral part of the Earth's system and the choices humans make today impact natural systems in the future. No indicators present for this benchmark. Benchmark D. Summarize the historical development of scientific theories and ideas and describe emerging issues in the study of Earth and space sciences. No indicators present for this benchmark. |
|
Life Sciences
Students will demonstrate an
understanding of how living systems function and how they interact with
the physical environment. This includes an understanding of the cycling
of matter and flow of energy in living systems. An understanding of the
characteristics, structure, and function of cells, of organisms and of
living systems will be developed as well as a deeper understanding of
the principles of heredity, biological evolution, and the diversity and
interdependence of life. Students will also demonstrate an
understanding of different historical perspectives, scientific
approaches and emerging scientific issues associated with the life
sciences. |
| Benchmark A. Explain how processes at the cellular
level affect the functions and characteristics of an organism. Characteristics and Structure of Life 1. Recognize that information stored in DNA provides the instructions for assembling protein molecules used by the cells that determine the characteristics of the organism. 2. Explain why specialized cells/structures are useful to plants and animals (e.g., stoma, phloem, xylem, blood, nerve, muscle, egg and sperm). 3. Explain that the Sun is essentially the primary source of energy for life. Plants capture energy by absorbing light and using it to form strong (covalent) chemical bonds between the atoms of carbon-containing (organic) molecules. 4. Explain that carbon-containing molecules can be used to assemble larger molecules with biological activity (including proteins, DNA, sugars and fats). In addition, the energy stored in bonds between the atoms (chemical energy) can be used as sources of energy for life processes. Benchmark B. Explain how humans are connected to and impact natural systems. No indicators present for this benchmark. Benchmark C. Explain how the molecular basis of life and the principles of genetics determine inheritance. Heredity 5. Examine the inheritance of traits through one or more genes and how a single gene can influence more than one trait. 6. Explain how developmental differentiation is regulated through the expression of different genes. Benchmark D. Relate how biotic and abiotic global changes have occurred in the past and will continue to do so in the future. Evolution Theory 10. Explain additional components of the evolution theory, including genetic drift, immigration, emigration and mutation. Benchmark E. Explain the interconnectedness of the components of a natural system. Diversity and Interdependence of Life 7. Relate diversity and adaptation to structures and functions of living organisms at various levels of organization. 8. Based on the structure and stability of ecosystems and their nonliving components, predict the biotic and abiotic changes in such systems when disturbed (e.g. introduction of non-native species, climatic change, etc.). 9. Explain why living systems require a continuous input of energy to maintain their chemical and physical organization. Explain that with death and the cessation of energy input, living systems rapidly disintegrate toward more disorganized states. Benchmark F. Explain how human choices today will affect the quality and quantity of life on earth. No indicators present for this benchmark. Benchmark G. Summarize the historical development of scientific theories and ideas within the study of life sciences. Evolution Theory Historical Perspectives and Scientific Revolutions 11. Trace the historical development of a biological theory or idea (e.g., genetics, cytology and germ theory). 12. Describe advances in life sciences that have important, long-lasting effects on science and society (e.g., biotechnology) |
|
Physical Sciences
Students demonstrate an understanding of the
composition of physical systems and the concepts and principles
that describe and predict physical interations and events in the
natural world. This includes demonstrating an understanding of the
structure and properties of matter, the properties of materials and
objects, chemical reactions and the conservation of matter. In
addition, it includes understanding the nature, transfer and
conservation
of energy, as well as motion and the forces affecting motion, the
nature of waves and interactions of matter and energy. Students
also demonstate an understanding of the historical perspectives,
scientific approaches and emerging scientific issues associated
with the physical sciences. |
| Benchmark A. Explain how variations in the
arrangement
and motion of atoms and molecules form the basis of a variety of
biological,
chemical and physical phenomena. Nature of Matter 1. Explain how atoms join with one another in various combinations in distinct molecules or in repeating crystal patterns. 2. Describe how a physical, chemical or ecological system in equilibrium may return to the same state of equilibrium if the disturbances it experiences are small. Large disturbances may cause it to escape that equilibrium and eventually settle into some other state of equilibrium. Nature of Matter 4. Recognize that at low temperatures some materials become superconducting and offer little or no resistance to the flow of electrons. Benchmark B. Recognize that some atomic nuclei are unstable and will spontaneously break down. Nature of Energy 10. Explain the characteristics of isotopes. The nucleus of radioactive isotopes is unstable and spontaneously decays emitting particles and/or wavelike radiation. It cannot be predicted exactly when, if ever, an unstable nucleus will decay, but a large group of identical nuclei decay at a predictable rate. 11. Use the predictability of decay rates and the concept of half-life to explain how radioactive substances can be used in estimating the age of materials. Benchmark C. Describe how atoms and molecules can gain or lose energy only in discrete amounts. Nature of Energy 12. Describe how different atomic energy levels are associated with the electron configurations of atoms and electron configurations (and/or conformations) of molecules. 13. Explain how atoms and molecules can gain or lose energy in particular discrete amounts (quanta or packets); therefore they can only absorb or emit light at the wavelengths corresponding to these amounts. Benchmark D. Apply principles of forces and motion to mathematically analyze, describe and predict the net effects on objects or systems. 3. Explain how all matter tends toward more disorganized states and describe real world examples (e.g., erosion of rocks, expansion of the universe). Forces and Motion 5. Use and apply the laws of motion to analyze, describe and predict the effects of forces on the motions of objects mathematically. 6. Recognize that the nuclear forces that hold the nucleus of an atom together, at nuclear distances, are stronger than the electric forces that would make it fly apart. 7. Recognize that nuclear forces are much stronger than electromagnetic forces, and electromagnetic forces are vastly stronger than gravitational forces. The strength of the nuclear forces explains why greater amounts of energy are released from nuclear reactions (e.g., from atomic and hydrogen bombs and in the Sun and other stars). 8. Describe how the observed wavelength of a wave depends upon the relative motion of the source and the observer (Doppler effect). If either is moving towards the other, the observed wavelength is shorter; if either is moving away, the observed wavelength is longer (e.g., weather radar, bat echoes, police radar). 9. Describe how gravitational forces act between all masses and always create a force of attraction. Recognize that the strength of the force is proportional to the masses and weakens rapidly with increasing distance between them. Benchmark E. Summarize the historical development of scientific theories and ideas within the study of physical sciences. Historical Perspectives and Scientific Revolutions 14. Use historical examples to explain how new ideas are limited by the context in which they are conceived; are often initially rejected by the scientific establishment; sometimes spring from unexpected findings; and usually grow slowly through contributions from many different investigators (e.g., nuclear energy, quantum theory, theory of relativity). 15. Describe concepts/ideas in physical sciences that have important, long-lasting effects on science and society (e.g., quantum theory, theory of relativity, age of the universe). |
|
Science and Technology
Students should recognize that science and
technology are interconnected and that using technology involves
assessment of the benefits, risks and costs. Students should build
scientific and technological knowledge as well as the skills required
to design and construct devices. In addition, they should develop the
processes to solve problems and understand that problems may be solved
in several
ways. |
| Benchmark A. Predict how human choices today will
determine
the quality and quantity of life on Earth. Understanding Technology 1. Explain how science often advances with the introduction of new technologies and how solving technological problems often results in new scientific knowledge. 2. Describe how new technologies often extend the current levels of scientific understanding and introduce new areas of research. 3. Research how scientific inquiry is driven by the desire to understand the natural world and how technological design is driven by the need to meet human needs and solve human problems. 4. Explain why basic concepts and principles of science and technology should be a part of active debate about the economics, policies, politics and ethics of various science-related and technology-related challenges. |
|
Students will develop scientific habits of mind as they use the processes of scientific inquiry to ask valid questions and to gather and analyze information. They will understand how to develop hypotheses and make predictions. They will be able to reflect on scientific practices as they develop plans of action to create and evalutate a variety of conclusions. Students will also demonstrate the ability to communicate their findings to others. |
| Benchmark A. Make appropriate choices when designing
and participating in scientific investigations by using cognitive and
manipulative
skills when collecting data and formulating conclusions from the data. Doing Scientific Inquiry 1. Formulate testable hypotheses. Develop and explain the appropriate procedures, controls and variables (dependent and independent) in scientific experimentation. 2. Derive simple mathematical relationships that have predictive power from experimental data (e.g., derive an equation from a graph and vice versa, determine whether a linear or exponential relationship exists among the data in a table). 3. Research and apply appropriate safety precautions when designing and/or conducting scientific investigations (e.g., OSHA, MSDS, eyewash, goggles, ventilation). 4. Create and clarify the method, procedures, controls and variables in complex scientific investigations. 5. Use appropriate summary statistics to analyze and describe data. |
|
Scientific Ways of Knowing
Students realize that the current body of scientific knowledge must be based on evidence, be predictive, logical, subject to modification, and limited to the natural world. This includes demonstrating an understanding that scientific knowledge grows and advances as new evidence is discovered to support or modify existing theories, as well as to encourage the development of new theories. Students will reflect on ethical scientific practices and demonstrate an understanding of how the current body of scientific knowledge reflects the historical and cultural contributions of women and men who provide us with a more reliable and comprehensive understanding of the natural world. |
| NBenchmark A. Explain how scientific evidence is
used
to develop and revise scientific predictions, ideas or theories. Nature of Science 1. Give examples that show how science is a social endeavor in which scientists share their knowledge with the expectation that it will be challenged continuously by the scientific community and others. 2. Evaluate scientific investigations by reviewing current scientific knowledge and the experimental procedures used, examining the evidence, identifying faulty reasoning, pointing out statements that go beyond the evidence and suggesting alternative explanations for the same observations. 3. Select a scientific model, concept or theory and explain how it has been revised over time based on new knowledge, perceptions or technology. 4. Analyze a set of data to derive a principle and then apply that principle to a similar phenomenon (e.g., predator/prey relationships, properties of semiconductors). 5. Describe how individuals and teams contribute to science and engineering at different levels of complexity (e.g., an individual may conduct basic field studies, hundreds of people may work together on major scientific questions or technical problem). Benchmark B. Explain how ethical considerations shape scientific endeavors. No indicators present for this benchmark. Benchmark C. Explain how societal issues and considerations affect the progress of science and technology. Ethical Practices 6. Explain that scientists may develop and apply ethical tests to evaluate the consequences of their research when appropriate. Science and Society 7. Describe the current and historical contributions of diverse peoples and cultures to science and technology and the scarcity and inaccessibility of information on some of these contributions. 8. Recognize that individuals and society must decide on proposals involving new research and the introduction of new technologies into society. Decisions involve assessment of alternatives, risks, costs and benefits and consideration of who benefits and who suffers, who pays and gains, and what the risks are and who bears them. 9. Recognize the appropriateness and value of basic questions “What can happen?” “What are the odds?” and “How do scientists and engineers know what will happen?” 10. Recognize that social issues and challenges can affect progress in science and technology. (e.g., Funding priorities for specific health problems serve as examples of ways that social issues influence science and technology.) 11. Research how advances in scientific knowledge have impacted society on a local, national or global level. |
| All of the information
on this site is available in pdf and/or Word format at the
Ohio Department of Education Web Site at http://www.ode.state.oh.us/
|
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