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Skills available for Pennsylvania sixth-grade science standards

Standards are in black and IXL science skills are in dark green. Hold your mouse over the name of a skill to view a sample question. Click on the name of a skill to practice that skill.

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Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy and Sustainability (STEELS) Standards Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy and Sustainability (STEELS) Standards
Pennsylvania Core Standards: Grades 6-8 Reading in Science and Technical Subjects Pennsylvania Core Standards: Grades 6-8 Reading in Science and Technical Subjects
Pennsylvania Academic Standards - Science and Technology and Engineering: Biological Sciences Pennsylvania Academic Standards - Science and Technology and Engineering: Biological Sciences
Pennsylvania Academic Standards - Science and Technology and Engineering: Earth and Space Sciences Pennsylvania Academic Standards - Science and Technology and Engineering: Earth and Space Sciences
Pennsylvania Academic Standards - Science and Technology and Engineering: Physical Sciences: Chemistry and Physics Pennsylvania Academic Standards - Science and Technology and Engineering: Physical Sciences: Chemistry and Physics
Pennsylvania Academic Standards - Science and Technology and Engineering: Technology and Engineering Education Pennsylvania Academic Standards - Science and Technology and Engineering: Technology and Engineering Education
Pennsylvania Assessment Anchors Pennsylvania Assessment Anchors
Pennsylvania Academic Standards - Environment and Ecology: Environment and Ecology Pennsylvania Academic Standards - Environment and Ecology: Environment and Ecology

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S.6.A The Nature of Science

S.6.A.1 Reasoning and Analysis
- S.6.A.1.1 Explain, interpret, and apply scientific, environmental, or technological knowledge presented in a variety of formats (visuals, scenarios, graphs).
  - S.6.A.1.1.1 Explain how certain questions can be answered through scientific inquiry and/or technological design (e.g., consumer product testing, common usage of simple machines, modern inventions).
  - S.6.A.1.1.2 Use evidence to support inferences and claims about an investigation or relationship (e.g., common usage of simple machines).
  - S.6.A.1.1.3 Predict the outcome of an experiment based on previously collected data.
- S.6.A.1.2 Identify and analyze evidence that certain variables may have caused measurable changes in natural or human-made systems.
  - S.6.A.1.2.1 Use evidence, observations, or explanations to make inferences about changes in systems over time.
  - S.6.A.1.2.2 Identify variables that cause changes in natural or human-made systems.
S.6.A.2 Processes, Procedures, and Tools of Scientific Investigations
- S.6.A.2.1 Apply knowledge of scientific investigation or technological design in different contexts to make inferences to solve problems.
  - S.6.A.2.1.1 Use evidence, observations, or a variety of scales to describe relationships.
  - S.6.A.2.1.2 Identify variables that cause changes in natural or human-made systems.
- S.6.A.2.2 Apply appropriate instruments for specific purposes and describe the information the instruments can provide.
  - S.6.A.2.2.1 Describe ways technology extends and enhances human abilities for specific purposes (e.g., make observations of cells with a microscope and planets with a telescope).
S.6.A.3 Systems, Models, and Patterns
- S.6.A.3.1 Explain the parts of a simple system, their roles, and their relationships to the system as a whole.
  - S.6.A.3.1.1 Describe a system as a group of related parts with specific roles that work together to achieve an observed result.
  - S.6.A.3.1.2 Explain how components of natural and human-made systems play different roles in a working system.
- S.6.A.3.2 Apply knowledge of models to make predictions, draw inferences, or explain technological concepts.
  - S.6.A.3.2.1 Describe how scientists use models to explore relationships and make predictions about natural systems (e.g., weather conditions, the solar system).

S.6.B Biological Sciences

S.6.B.1 Structure and Function of Organisms
- S.6.B.1.1 Explain how the cell is the basic unit of structure and function for all living things.
  - S.6.B.1.1.1 Describe how cells carry out the many functions needed to sustain life.
  - S.6.B.1.1.2 Identify examples of unicellular and multi-cellular organisms (i.e., plants, fungi, bacteria, protists, and animals).
    - Understanding cells (6-O.1)
  - S.6.B.1.1.3 Explain how many organisms are unicellular and must carry out all life functions in one cell.
    - Understanding cells (6-O.1)
S.6.B.2 Continuity of Life
- S.6.B.2.1 Explain how certain inherited traits and/or behaviors allow some organisms to survive and reproduce more successfully than others.
  - S.6.B.2.1.1 Distinguish between instinctive and learned animal behaviors that relate to survival.
  - S.6.B.2.1.2 Recognize that extinction of a species occurs when the environment changes and the adaptive characteristics of a species are insufficient to allow its survival.
    - Introduction to natural selection (6-R.2)
S.6.B.3 Ecological Behavior and Systems
- S.6.B.3.1 Identify evidence of change to infer and explain the ways different variables may affect change in natural or human-made systems.
  - S.6.B.3.1.1 Describe the behavioral and physical responses of organisms to environmental changes and how those responses affect survival.
- S.6.B.3.2 Explain how renewable and nonrenewable resources provide for human needs.
  - S.6.B.3.2.1 Compare the usage of fossil fuels and alternative energy resources (e.g., oil, natural gas, coal, wind, solar, water).
    - Evaluate natural energy sources (5-Q.2)
    - Evaluate claims about natural resource use: fossil fuels (6-Z.2)

S.6.C Physical Sciences

S.6.C.1 Structure, Properties, and Interaction of Matter and Energy
- S.6.C.1.1 Explain that matter has observable physical properties.
  - S.6.C.1.1.1 Describe how characteristic physical properties of matter can be used to distinguish one substance from another (e.g., boiling point, freezing/melting points).
    - Explore chemical structure and properties: soapmaking (6-F.6)
    - Explore chemical structure and properties: food flavors (6-F.7)
  - S.6.C.1.1.2 Explain that materials are characterized by having a specific amount of mass in each unit of volume (density).
    - Calculate density (6-D.1)
- S.6.C.1.2 Describe that matter can undergo chemical and physical changes.
  - S.6.C.1.2.1 Describe how water changes from one state to another.
  - S.6.C.1.2.2 Identify differences between chemical and physical changes of matter.
    - Compare physical and chemical changes (6-F.5)
S.6.C.2 Forms, Sources, Conversion, and Transfer of Energy
- S.6.C.2.1 Explain how energy can be transformed from one form to another and describe the results of the transformation.
  - S.6.C.2.1.1 Describe how heat moves in predictable ways from warmer objects to cooler ones until they reach the same temperature.
  - S.6.C.2.1.2 Describe the effect of heat on particle motion during phase changes.
    - Particle motion and changes of state (6-J.2)
  - S.6.C.2.1.3 Compare various energy sources (i.e., oil, coal, natural gas, solar, wind, and moving water) and describe how these energy sources are transformed into useful forms of energy.
    - Evaluate natural energy sources (5-Q.2)
S.6.C.3 Principles of Motion and Force
- S.6.C.3.1 Explain why an object's motion is the result of all forces acting on it.
  - S.6.C.3.1.1 Compare speed and velocity.
    - Calculate speed from time and distance (6-G.1)
    - Calculate velocity from time and distance (7-G.1)
  - S.6.C.3.1.2 Explain why gravitational force depends on how much mass the objects have and the distance between them.
    - Identify changes in gravitational potential energy (6-H.1)
- S.6.C.3.2 Describe how magnets and electricity produce related forces.
  - S.6.C.3.2.1 Describe how moving electric charges produce magnetic forces and moving magnets produce electric forces.
  - S.6.C.3.2.2 Describe the relationships between voltage, current, and resistance (Ohm's Law).
  - S.6.C.3.2.3 Distinguish between gravity and electromagnetism.

S.6.D Earth and Space Sciences

S.6.D.1 Earth Features and Processes That Change Earth and Its Resources
- S.6.D.1.1 Describe how constructive and destructive natural processes can influence different biomes.
  - S.6.D.1.1.1 Describe how soil fertility, composition, resistance to erosion, and texture are affected by many factors.
  - S.6.D.1.1.2 Identify the three basic rock types and describe their formation (i.e., igneous [granite, basalt, obsidian, and pumice]; sedimentary [limestone, sandstone, shale, and coal]; and metamorphic [slate, quartzite, marble, and gneiss]).
S.6.D.2 Weather, Climate, and Atmospheric Processes
- S.6.D.2.1 Explain basic elements of weather and climate.
  - Label parts of water cycle diagrams (6-DD.1)
  - Use data to describe climates (6-EE.3)
  - S.6.D.2.1.1 Describe cloud types and measurable factors (i.e., wind direction, temperature, barometric pressure, moisture, and precipitation) that are associated with various weather patterns.
  - S.6.D.2.1.2 Interpret weather data to develop a weather forecast.
  - S.6.D.2.1.3 Explain how global patterns (jet stream, water currents) influence weather in measurable terms (e.g., wind direction, temperature, barometric pressure, precipitation).
S.6.D.3 Composition and Structure of the Universe
- S.6.D.3.1 Explain the relationships between objects in the universe.
  - S.6.D.3.1.1 Compare the size and surface features of the planets that comprise the solar system as well as the objects orbiting them.
    - Analyze data to compare properties of planets (6-HH.4)
  - S.6.D.3.1.2 Describe how the size, composition, and surface features of the planets are influenced by their distance from the Sun.

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S.6.A The Nature of Science

S.6.A.1 Reasoning and Analysis

S.6.A.1.1 Explain, interpret, and apply scientific, environmental, or technological knowledge presented in a variety of formats (visuals, scenarios, graphs).

S.6.A.1.1.1 Explain how certain questions can be answered through scientific inquiry and/or technological design (e.g., consumer product testing, common usage of simple machines, modern inventions).

S.6.A.1.1.2 Use evidence to support inferences and claims about an investigation or relationship (e.g., common usage of simple machines).

S.6.A.1.1.3 Predict the outcome of an experiment based on previously collected data.

S.6.A.1.2 Identify and analyze evidence that certain variables may have caused measurable changes in natural or human-made systems.

S.6.A.1.2.1 Use evidence, observations, or explanations to make inferences about changes in systems over time.

S.6.A.1.2.2 Identify variables that cause changes in natural or human-made systems.

S.6.A.2 Processes, Procedures, and Tools of Scientific Investigations

S.6.A.2.1 Apply knowledge of scientific investigation or technological design in different contexts to make inferences to solve problems.

S.6.A.2.1.1 Use evidence, observations, or a variety of scales to describe relationships.

S.6.A.2.1.2 Identify variables that cause changes in natural or human-made systems.

S.6.A.2.2 Apply appropriate instruments for specific purposes and describe the information the instruments can provide.

S.6.A.2.2.1 Describe ways technology extends and enhances human abilities for specific purposes (e.g., make observations of cells with a microscope and planets with a telescope).

S.6.A.3 Systems, Models, and Patterns

S.6.A.3.1 Explain the parts of a simple system, their roles, and their relationships to the system as a whole.

S.6.A.3.1.1 Describe a system as a group of related parts with specific roles that work together to achieve an observed result.

S.6.A.3.1.2 Explain how components of natural and human-made systems play different roles in a working system.

S.6.A.3.2 Apply knowledge of models to make predictions, draw inferences, or explain technological concepts.

S.6.A.3.2.1 Describe how scientists use models to explore relationships and make predictions about natural systems (e.g., weather conditions, the solar system).

S.6.B Biological Sciences

S.6.B.1 Structure and Function of Organisms

S.6.B.1.1 Explain how the cell is the basic unit of structure and function for all living things.

S.6.B.1.1.1 Describe how cells carry out the many functions needed to sustain life.

S.6.B.1.1.2 Identify examples of unicellular and multi-cellular organisms (i.e., plants, fungi, bacteria, protists, and animals).

S.6.B.1.1.3 Explain how many organisms are unicellular and must carry out all life functions in one cell.

S.6.B.2 Continuity of Life

S.6.B.2.1 Explain how certain inherited traits and/or behaviors allow some organisms to survive and reproduce more successfully than others.

S.6.B.2.1.1 Distinguish between instinctive and learned animal behaviors that relate to survival.

S.6.B.2.1.2 Recognize that extinction of a species occurs when the environment changes and the adaptive characteristics of a species are insufficient to allow its survival.

S.6.B.3 Ecological Behavior and Systems

S.6.B.3.1 Identify evidence of change to infer and explain the ways different variables may affect change in natural or human-made systems.

S.6.B.3.1.1 Describe the behavioral and physical responses of organisms to environmental changes and how those responses affect survival.

S.6.B.3.2 Explain how renewable and nonrenewable resources provide for human needs.

S.6.B.3.2.1 Compare the usage of fossil fuels and alternative energy resources (e.g., oil, natural gas, coal, wind, solar, water).

S.6.C Physical Sciences

S.6.C.1 Structure, Properties, and Interaction of Matter and Energy

S.6.C.1.1 Explain that matter has observable physical properties.

S.6.C.1.1.1 Describe how characteristic physical properties of matter can be used to distinguish one substance from another (e.g., boiling point, freezing/melting points).

S.6.C.1.1.2 Explain that materials are characterized by having a specific amount of mass in each unit of volume (density).

S.6.C.1.2 Describe that matter can undergo chemical and physical changes.

S.6.C.1.2.1 Describe how water changes from one state to another.

S.6.C.1.2.2 Identify differences between chemical and physical changes of matter.

S.6.C.2 Forms, Sources, Conversion, and Transfer of Energy

S.6.C.2.1 Explain how energy can be transformed from one form to another and describe the results of the transformation.

S.6.C.2.1.1 Describe how heat moves in predictable ways from warmer objects to cooler ones until they reach the same temperature.

S.6.C.2.1.2 Describe the effect of heat on particle motion during phase changes.

S.6.C.2.1.3 Compare various energy sources (i.e., oil, coal, natural gas, solar, wind, and moving water) and describe how these energy sources are transformed into useful forms of energy.

S.6.C.3 Principles of Motion and Force

S.6.C.3.1 Explain why an object's motion is the result of all forces acting on it.

S.6.C.3.1.1 Compare speed and velocity.

S.6.C.3.1.2 Explain why gravitational force depends on how much mass the objects have and the distance between them.

S.6.C.3.2 Describe how magnets and electricity produce related forces.

S.6.C.3.2.1 Describe how moving electric charges produce magnetic forces and moving magnets produce electric forces.

S.6.C.3.2.2 Describe the relationships between voltage, current, and resistance (Ohm's Law).

S.6.C.3.2.3 Distinguish between gravity and electromagnetism.

S.6.D Earth and Space Sciences

S.6.D.1 Earth Features and Processes That Change Earth and Its Resources

S.6.D.1.1 Describe how constructive and destructive natural processes can influence different biomes.

S.6.D.1.1.1 Describe how soil fertility, composition, resistance to erosion, and texture are affected by many factors.

S.6.D.1.1.2 Identify the three basic rock types and describe their formation (i.e., igneous [granite, basalt, obsidian, and pumice]; sedimentary [limestone, sandstone, shale, and coal]; and metamorphic [slate, quartzite, marble, and gneiss]).

S.6.D.2 Weather, Climate, and Atmospheric Processes

S.6.D.2.1 Explain basic elements of weather and climate.

S.6.D.2.1.1 Describe cloud types and measurable factors (i.e., wind direction, temperature, barometric pressure, moisture, and precipitation) that are associated with various weather patterns.

S.6.D.2.1.2 Interpret weather data to develop a weather forecast.

S.6.D.2.1.3 Explain how global patterns (jet stream, water currents) influence weather in measurable terms (e.g., wind direction, temperature, barometric pressure, precipitation).

S.6.D.3 Composition and Structure of the Universe

S.6.D.3.1 Explain the relationships between objects in the universe.

S.6.D.3.1.1 Compare the size and surface features of the planets that comprise the solar system as well as the objects orbiting them.

S.6.D.3.1.2 Describe how the size, composition, and surface features of the planets are influenced by their distance from the Sun.