ES.1: The student will demonstrate an understanding of scientific and engineering practices by

ES.1.a: asking questions and defining problems

ES.1.a.1: ask questions that arise from careful observation of phenomena, examination of a model or theory, or unexpected results, and/or to seek additional information

Pendulum Clock
Sight vs. Sound Reactions

ES.1.a.2: determine which questions can be investigated within the scope of the school laboratory or field experience

Pendulum Clock
Sight vs. Sound Reactions

ES.1.a.3: generate hypotheses based on research and scientific principles

Pendulum Clock

ES.1.a.4: make hypotheses that specify what happens to a dependent variable when an independent variable is manipulated

Pendulum Clock

ES.1.b: planning and carrying out investigations

ES.1.b.1: individually and collaboratively plan and conduct observational and experimental investigations

Coral Reefs 2 - Biotic Factors
Diffusion
Effect of Environment on New Life Form
Pendulum Clock
Real-Time Histogram
Seed Germination
Sight vs. Sound Reactions
Temperature and Sex Determination - Metric

ES.1.b.2: plan and conduct investigations to test design solutions in a safe and ethical manner including considerations of environmental, social and personal effects

Coral Reefs 1 - Abiotic Factors
Coral Reefs 2 - Biotic Factors

ES.1.b.3: select and use appropriate tools and technology to collect, record, analyze, and evaluate data

Triple Beam Balance

ES.1.c: interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data

ES.1.c.1: construct and interpret data tables showing independent and dependent variables, repeated trials, and means

Diffusion
Pendulum Clock
Seed Germination
Temperature and Sex Determination - Metric

ES.1.c.2: construct, analyze, and interpret graphical displays of data and consider limitations of data analysis

Distance-Time Graphs - Metric
Seasons Around the World
Temperature and Sex Determination - Metric

ES.1.c.3: apply mathematical concepts and processes to scientific questions

Estimating Population Size

ES.1.c.4: use data in building and revising models, supporting explanations of phenomena, or testing solutions to problems

Trebuchet

ES.1.c.5: analyze data using tools, technologies, and/or models in order to make valid and reliable scientific claims or determine an optimal design solution

Trebuchet

ES.1.d: constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanations

ES.1.d.1: make quantitative and/or qualitative claims based on data

Temperature and Sex Determination - Metric

ES.1.d.4: construct arguments or counterarguments based on data and evidence

Big Bang Theory - Hubble's Law

ES.1.e: developing and using models

ES.1.e.3: construct and interpret scales, diagrams, classification charts, graphs, tables, imagery, models, including geologic cross sections and topographic profiles

Building Topographic Maps
Reading Topographic Maps

ES.1.e.4: read and interpret topographic and basic geologic maps and globes, including location by latitude and longitude

Building Topographic Maps
Ocean Mapping
Reading Topographic Maps
Weather Maps - Metric

ES.2: The student will demonstrate an understanding that there are scientific concepts related to the origin and evolution of the universe. Key ideas include

ES.2.a: the big bang theory explains the origin of universe;

Big Bang Theory - Hubble's Law

ES.2.b: stars, star systems, and galaxies change over long periods of time;

Big Bang Theory - Hubble's Law
H-R Diagram
Star Spectra

ES.2.c: characteristics of the sun, planets and their moons, comets, meteors, asteroids, and dwarf planets are determined by materials found in each body; and

Solar System Explorer

ES.3: The student will investigate and understand that Earth is unique in our solar system. Key ideas include

ES.3.b: the dynamics of the sun-Earth-moon system cause seasons, tides, and eclipses.

2D Eclipse
3D Eclipse
Moonrise, Moonset, and Phases
Seasons Around the World
Seasons in 3D
Seasons: Why do we have them?
Tides - Metric

ES.4: The student will investigate and understand that there are major rock-forming and ore minerals. Key ideas include

ES.4.a: analysis of physical and chemical properties supports mineral identification;

Mineral Identification
Rock Classification

ES.4.b: characteristics of minerals determine the uses of minerals; and

Mineral Identification

ES.5: The student will investigate and understand that igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks can transform. Key ideas include

ES.5.a: Earth materials are finite and are transformed over time;

Rock Cycle

ES.5.b: the rock cycle models the transformation of rocks;

Rock Cycle

ES.5.d: plate tectonic and surface processes transform Earth materials.

Plate Tectonics

ES.6: The student will investigate and understand that resource use is complex. Key ideas include

ES.6.a: global resource use has environmental liabilities and benefits;

Carbon Cycle

ES.6.c: use of Virginia resources has an effect on the environment and the economy; and

Coral Reefs 1 - Abiotic Factors
Coral Reefs 2 - Biotic Factors
Pond Ecosystem

ES.7: The student will investigate and understand that plate tectonic theory explains Earth’s internal and external geologic processes. Key ideas include

ES.7.b: features and processes occur within plates and at plate boundaries;

Plate Tectonics

ES.7.c: interaction between tectonic plates causes the development of mountain ranges and ocean basins; and

Plate Tectonics

ES.7.d: evidence of geologic processes is found in Virginia’s geologic landscape.

Plate Tectonics

ES.8: The student will investigate and understand that freshwater resources influence and are influenced by geologic processes and human activity. Key ideas include

ES.8.a: water influences geologic processes including soil development and karst topography;

Weathering

ES.8.c: weather and human usage affect freshwater resources, including water locations, quality, and supply; and

Coral Reefs 1 - Abiotic Factors
Pond Ecosystem

ES.9: The student will investigate and understand that many aspects of the history and evolution of Earth and life can be inferred by studying rocks and fossils. Key ideas include

ES.9.b: superposition, cross-cutting relationships, index fossils, and radioactive decay are methods of dating rocks and Earth events and processes;

Half-life

ES.9.c: absolute (radiometric) and relative dating have different applications but can be used together to determine the age of rocks and structures; and

Half-life

ES.10: The student will investigate and understand that oceans are complex, dynamic systems and are subject to long- and short-term variations. Key ideas include

ES.10.a: chemical, biological, and physical changes affect the oceans;

Coral Reefs 1 - Abiotic Factors

ES.10.b: environmental and geologic occurrences affect ocean dynamics;

Coral Reefs 1 - Abiotic Factors
Plate Tectonics

ES.10.c: unevenly distributed heat in the oceans drives much of Earth’s weather;

Coastal Winds and Clouds - Metric
Pond Ecosystem

ES.10.d: features of the sea floor reflect tectonic and other geological processes; and

Plate Tectonics

ES.11: The student will investigate and understand that the atmosphere is a complex, dynamic system and is subject to long-and short-term variations. Key ideas include

ES.11.b: biologic and geologic interactions over long and short time spans change the atmospheric composition;

Carbon Cycle

ES.12: The student will investigate and understand that Earth’s weather and climate are the result of the interaction of the sun’s energy with the atmosphere, oceans, and the land. Key ideas include

ES.12.a: weather involves the reflection, absorption, storage, and redistribution of energy over short to medium time spans;

Coastal Winds and Clouds - Metric

ES.12.b: weather patterns can be predicted based on changes in current conditions;

Coastal Winds and Clouds - Metric
Hurricane Motion - Metric
Weather Maps - Metric

ES.12.c: extreme imbalances in energy distribution in the oceans, atmosphere, and the land may lead to severe weather conditions;

Hurricane Motion - Metric

ES.12.d: models based on current conditions are used to predict weather phenomena; and

Weather Maps - Metric

ES.12.e: changes in the atmosphere and the oceans due to natural and human activity affect global climate.

Carbon Cycle
Coral Reefs 1 - Abiotic Factors
Greenhouse Effect - Metric