1: Elements, Matter, and Interactions

PSI-PS1-1: Use the periodic table as a model to predict the relative properties of elements based on the patterns of electrons in the outermost energy level of atoms.

Electron Configuration
Element Builder
Periodic Trends

PSI-PS1-2: Construct and revise an explanation for the outcome of a simple chemical reaction based on the outermost electron states of atoms, trends in the periodic table, and knowledge of the patterns of chemical properties.

Covalent Bonds
Ionic Bonds
Periodic Trends

PSI-PS1-3: Plan and conduct an investigation to gather evidence to compare the structure of substances at the bulk scale to infer the strength of electrical forces between particles.

Melting Points
Polarity and Intermolecular Forces

PSI-PS1-4: Develop a model to illustrate that the release or absorption of energy from a chemical reaction system depends upon the changes in total bond energy.

Feel the Heat
Reaction Energy

PSI-PS1-7: Use mathematical representations to support the claim that atoms, and therefore mass, are conserved during a chemical reaction.

Balancing Chemical Equations
Chemical Changes
Chemical Equations
Moles
Stoichiometry

2: Matter in Organisms

PSI-LS1-5: Use a model to illustrate how photosynthesis transforms light energy into stored chemical energy.

Cell Energy Cycle
Photosynthesis Lab
Photosynthesis

PSI-LS1-7: Use a model to illustrate that cellular respiration is a chemical process whereby the bonds of food molecules and oxygen molecules are broken and the bonds in new compounds are formed resulting in a net transfer of energy.

Cell Energy Cycle
Cell Respiration

PSI-LS2-4: Use mathematical representations to support claims for the cycling of matter and flow of energy among organisms in an ecosystem.

Food Chain
Forest Ecosystem
Photosynthesis

PSI2-ETS1-2: Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.

Crumple Zones
GMOs and the Environment
Genetic Engineering
Nitrogen Cycle

3: Forces and Motion

PSI-PS2-1: Analyze data to support the claim that Newton’s second law of motion describes the mathematical relationship among the net force on a macroscopic object, its mass, and its acceleration.

Atwood Machine
Crumple Zones
Fan Cart Physics

PSI-PS2-3: Apply scientific and engineering ideas to design, evaluate, and refine a device that minimizes the force on a macroscopic object during a collision.

Crumple Zones

PSI-PS2-5: Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence that an electric current can produce a magnetic field and that a changing magnetic field can produce an electric current.

Electromagnetic Induction
Magnetic Induction

PSI-PS2-6: Communicate scientific and technical information about why the molecular-level structure is important in the functioning of designed materials.

Feel the Heat

PSI3-ETS1-1: Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.

Crumple Zones
GMOs and the Environment
Genetic Engineering
Nitrogen Cycle

4: Energy

PSI-PS3-1: Create a computational model to calculate the change in the energy of one component in a system when the change in energy of the other component(s) and energy flows in and out of the system are known.

Energy Conversion in a System
Energy of a Pendulum
Inclined Plane - Rolling Objects
Inclined Plane - Simple Machine
Inclined Plane - Sliding Objects

PSI-PS3-2: Develop and use models to illustrate that energy at the macroscopic scale can be accounted for as a combination of energy associated with the motions of particles (objects) and energy associated with the relative position of particles (objects).

Boyle's Law and Charles's Law
Energy Conversion in a System
Energy of a Pendulum
Inclined Plane - Sliding Objects
Potential Energy on Shelves

PSI-PS3-3: Design, build, and refine a device that works within given constraints to convert one form of energy into another form of energy.

Feel the Heat
Trebuchet

PSI-PS3-4: Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence that the transfer of thermal energy when two components of different temperature are combined within a closed system results in a more uniform energy distribution among the components in the system (second law of thermodynamics).

Calorimetry Lab
Conduction and Convection
Heat Transfer by Conduction

PSI4-ETS1-3: Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and tradeoffs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics, as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.

Crumple Zones
GMOs and the Environment
Genetic Engineering
Nitrogen Cycle

5: Waves

PSI-PS4-1: Use mathematical representations to support a claim regarding relationships among the frequency, wavelength, and speed of waves traveling in various media.

Earthquakes 1 - Recording Station
Refraction
Ripple Tank
Waves

PSI-5-ETS1-2: Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.

Crumple Zones
GMOs and the Environment
Genetic Engineering
Nitrogen Cycle

6: Interactions of Humans and the Environment

PSI-LS2-7: Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.

GMOs and the Environment
Nitrogen Cycle

PSI-LS4-5: Evaluate the evidence supporting claims that changes in environmental conditions may result in: (1) increases in the number of individuals of some species, (2) the emergence of new species over time, and (3) the extinction of other species.

Coral Reefs 1 - Abiotic Factors
Coral Reefs 2 - Biotic Factors
Evolution: Mutation and Selection
Natural Selection
Rabbit Population by Season
Rainfall and Bird Beaks - Metric
Evolution

PSI-ESS2-1: Develop a model to illustrate how Earth’s internal and surface processes operate at different spatial and temporal scales to form continental and ocean-floor features.

Erosion Rates
Plate Tectonics
River Erosion
Weathering

PSI6-ETS1-1: Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.

Crumple Zones
GMOs and the Environment
Genetic Engineering
Nitrogen Cycle

PSI6-ETS1-2: Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.

Crumple Zones
GMOs and the Environment
Genetic Engineering
Nitrogen Cycle

PSI6-ETS1-3: Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and tradeoffs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics, as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.

Crumple Zones
GMOs and the Environment
Genetic Engineering
Nitrogen Cycle

PSI6-ETS1-4: Use a computer simulation to model the impact of proposed solutions to a complex real-world problem with numerous criteria and constraints on interactions within and between systems relevant to the problem.

Crumple Zones
GMOs and the Environment