Pennsylvania

S.7.A The Nature of Science

• S.7.A.1 Reasoning and Analysis

  • S.7.A.1.1 Explain, interpret, and apply scientific, environmental, or technological knowledge presented in a variety of formats (visuals, scenarios, graphs).

    • S.7.A.1.1.1 Distinguish between a scientific theory and a general opinion, explaining how a theory is supported with evidence.

    • S.7.A.1.1.2 Develop questions that can be answered through scientific inquiry and/or technological design.

      • Identify parts of the engineering-design process (6-C.1)
      • Identify steps of the scientific method (7-A.1)
      • Identify the experimental question (7-B.3)
      • Identify questions that can be investigated with a set of materials (7-B.4)
      • Understand an experimental protocol about plant growth (7-B.5)
      • Understand an experimental protocol about diffusion (7-B.6)
      • Understand an experimental protocol about evaporation (7-B.7)

    • S.7.A.1.1.3 Use evidence such as observations or experimental results to support inferences.

      • Identify steps of the scientific method (7-A.1)
      • Understand an experimental protocol about plant growth (7-B.5)
      • Understand an experimental protocol about diffusion (7-B.6)
      • Understand an experimental protocol about evaporation (7-B.7)
      • Construct explanations of natural selection (7-R.5)

    • S.7.A.1.1.4 Use evidence to develop descriptions, explanations, and models.

      • How can animal behaviors affect reproductive success? Identify evidence to support a claim (7-R.1)
      • Construct explanations of natural selection (7-R.5)
      • Evaluate claims about natural resource use: groundwater (7-Z.1)
      • Evaluate claims about natural resource use: fossil fuels (7-Z.2)

  • S.7.A.1.2 Identify and explain the impacts of applying scientific, environmental, or technological knowledge to address solutions to practical problems.

    • S.7.A.1.2.1 Describe the positive and negative effects (both intended and unintended) of scientific results or technological developments.

  • S.7.A.1.3 Identify and analyze evidence that certain variables may have caused measurable changes in natural or human-made systems.

    • S.7.A.1.3.1 Describe how variables can cause changes in a system over time.

      • Identify independent and dependent variables (7-B.2)

    • S.7.A.1.3.2 Use evidence, observations, or explanations to make inferences about changes in systems over time (e.g., carrying capacity, succession, fossil evidence in the geologic time scale).

• S.7.A.2 Processes, Procedures, and Tools of Scientific Investigations

  • S.7.A.2.1 Apply knowledge of scientific investigation or technological design in different contexts to make inferences, solve problems, and/or answer questions.

    • S.7.A.2.1.1 Use evidence from investigations to clearly describe relationships and communicate and support conclusions.

      • How can animal behaviors affect reproductive success? Identify evidence to support a claim (7-R.1)
      • Evaluate claims about natural resource use: groundwater (7-Z.1)
      • Evaluate claims about natural resource use: fossil fuels (7-Z.2)

    • S.7.A.2.1.2 Identify a design flaw in a simple technological system and devise possible working solutions.

  • S.7.A.2.2 Select and safely use appropriate tools and describe the information provided by each tool.

    • S.7.A.2.2.1 Describe the safe and appropriate use of instruments and scales to accurately and safely make measurements under a variety of conditions.

    • S.7.A.2.2.2 Apply measurement systems to record and interpret observations under a variety of conditions.

      • Calculate time from velocity and distance (7-G.3)
      • Calculate velocity, distance, and time I (7-G.4)
      • Calculate velocity, distance, and time II (7-G.5)
      • Choose customary units of distance, mass, and volume (7-II.1)
      • Choose metric units of distance, mass, and volume (7-II.2)
      • Estimate temperatures (7-II.3)
      • Abbreviate temperature, mass, and volume units (7-II.5)

    • S.7.A.2.2.3 Describe ways technology is used to enhance scientific study and/or human life.

• S.7.A.3 Systems, Models, and Patterns

  • S.7.A.3.1 Explain the parts of a simple system, their roles, and their relationships to the system as a whole.

    • S.7.A.3.1.1 Describe a system (e.g., ecosystem, circulatory system, agricultural system) as a group of related parts with specific roles that work together to achieve an observed result.

      • Organization in the human body: the heart and the circulatory system (7-P.1)
      • Describe populations, communities, and ecosystems (7-W.1)
      • Identify ecosystems (7-W.2)
      • Label parts of rock cycle diagrams (7-AA.5)
      • Select parts of rock cycle diagrams (7-AA.6)
      • Label parts of water cycle diagrams (7-DD.1)
      • Select parts of water cycle diagrams (7-DD.2)

    • S.7.A.3.1.2 Explain the concept of order in a system (e.g., first to last manufacturing steps; trophic levels; simple to complex—levels of biological organization from cell to organism).

      • Organization in the human body: the heart and the circulatory system (7-P.1)
      • Describe populations, communities, and ecosystems (7-W.1)

    • S.7.A.3.1.3 Distinguish between system inputs, system processes, system outputs, and system feedback.

    • S.7.A.3.1.4 Identify examples of open- and closed-looped systems.

      • Interpret food webs I (7-X.2)
      • Interpret food webs II (7-X.3)
      • Select parts of water cycle diagrams (7-DD.2)

  • S.7.A.3.2 Apply knowledge of models to make predictions, draw inferences, or explain technological concepts.

    • S.7.A.3.2.1 Make inferences based on scientific models (e.g., charts, graphs, diagrams).

      • Select parts of a topographic map (7-CC.1)

    • S.7.A.3.2.2 Describe how engineers use models to develop new and improved technologies to improve scientific study and/or human life.

      • Use data from tests to compare engineering-design solutions (6-C.3)
      • Identify parts of the engineering-design process (7-C.1)

  • S.7.A.3.3 Describe repeated processes or recurring elements in natural, scientific, and technological patterns.

    • S.7.A.3.3.1 Describe patterns as repeated processes or recurring elements in natural and human-made systems.

      • Label parts of rock cycle diagrams (7-AA.5)
      • Select parts of rock cycle diagrams (7-AA.6)
      • Label parts of water cycle diagrams (7-DD.1)
      • Select parts of water cycle diagrams (7-DD.2)

S.7.B Biological Sciences

• S.7.B.1 Structure and Function of Organisms

  • S.7.B.1.1 Describe and compare structural and functional similarities and differences that characterize diverse living things.

    • S.7.B.1.1.1 Describe levels of biological organization from cell to organism.

      • Organization in the human body: the heart and the circulatory system (7-P.1)

    • S.7.B.1.1.2 Describe how specific structures in living things (from cell to organism) help them function effectively in specific ways (e.g., chlorophyll in plant cells— photosynthesis; root hairs—increased surface area; beak structures in birds— food gathering; cacti spines—protection from predators).

      • Identify functions of animal cell parts (6-O.3)
      • Structure and function: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids (7-N.1)
      • Understanding the chemistry of cellular respiration (7-N.2)
      • Identify functions of plant cell parts (7-O.2)
      • Compare cells and cell parts (7-O.6)

    • S.7.B.1.1.3 Explain how characteristic similarities and differences (from cell to organism) are used to identify and/or categorize organisms.

      • Understanding cells (7-O.1)
      • Compare cells and cell parts (7-O.6)

  • S.7.B.1.2 Compare methods of reproduction.

    • S.7.B.1.2.1 Explain how cells arise from the division of a pre-existing cell.

      • Understanding cells (7-O.1)

    • S.7.B.1.2.2 Compare various basic sexual and asexual reproductive processes (e.g., budding, cuttings).

    • S.7.B.1.2.3 Explain why the life cycles of different organisms have varied lengths.

      • Angiosperm and conifer life cycles (7-T.1)
      • Moss and fern life cycles (7-T.2)

• S.7.B.2 Continuity of Life

  • S.7.B.2.1 Explain natural selection and its role in evolution.

    • S.7.B.2.1.1 Explain how inherited traits (genes) and/or behaviors help organisms survive and reproduce in different environments.

      • How do genes and the environment affect plant growth? (7-Q.10)
      • Introduction to natural selection (7-R.2)
      • Construct explanations of natural selection (7-R.5)

    • S.7.B.2.1.2 Describe how natural selection is an underlying factor in a population's ability to adapt to change.

      • Introduction to natural selection (7-R.2)
      • Construct explanations of natural selection (7-R.5)

    • S.7.B.2.1.3 Explain that adaptations within species (physical, behavioral, physiological) are developed over long periods of time.

  • S.7.B.2.2 Explain how a set of genetic instructions determines inherited traits of organisms.

    • Genetics vocabulary: genotype and phenotype (7-Q.2)
    • Genetics vocabulary: dominant and recessive (7-Q.3)

    • S.7.B.2.2.1 Identify and explain differences between inherited and acquired traits.

      • Inherited and acquired traits: use evidence to support a statement (7-Q.1)

    • S.7.B.2.2.2 Recognize evidence that the gene is the basic unit of inheritance and explain the effect of dominant and recessive genes on inherited traits.

      • Genetics vocabulary: dominant and recessive (7-Q.3)
      • Complete and interpret Punnett squares (7-Q.5)
      • Use Punnett squares to calculate ratios of offspring types (7-Q.6)
      • Use Punnett squares to calculate probabilities of offspring types (7-Q.7)
      • Genes, proteins, and traits: understanding the genetic code (7-Q.8)

    • S.7.B.2.2.3 Explain how mutations can alter a gene and are a source of new variations in a population.

      • Describe the effects of gene mutations on organisms (7-Q.9)

    • S.7.B.2.2.4 Describe how selective breeding or biotechnologies can change the genetic makeup of an organism (e.g., domesticated dogs, horses, cows; crops, hybrid plants; integrated pest management).

• S.7.B.3 Ecological Behavior and Systems

  • S.7.B.3.1 Compare the biotic and abiotic factors of different ecosystems and explain relationships between and these factors.

    • S.7.B.3.1.1 Describe relationships (e.g., predator/prey competition, symbiosis) between organisms in different ecosystems.

      • Classify symbiotic relationships (7-X.5)

    • S.7.B.3.1.2 Identify the major biomes (terrestrial and aquatic) and describe their characteristic biotic and abiotic factors.

      • Identify ecosystems (7-W.2)
      • Describe ecosystems (7-W.3)

  • S.7.B.3.2 Explain ways different variables may cause and/or influence changes in natural or human-made systems.

    • S.7.B.3.2.1 Identify and describe factors that cause and/or influence changes in populations (e.g., deforestation, disease, land use, natural disaster, invasive species).

      • Coral reef biodiversity and human uses: explore a problem (7-Y.1)
      • Coral reef biodiversity and human uses: evaluate solutions (7-Y.2)

    • S.7.B.3.2.2 Explain how diversity affects the integrity of natural ecological systems.

      • Coral reef biodiversity and human uses: explore a problem (7-Y.1)
      • Coral reef biodiversity and human uses: evaluate solutions (7-Y.2)

    • S.7.B.3.2.3 Describe how human interactions with the environment impact an ecosystem (e.g., road construction, pollution, urban development, dam building/removal).

      • Coral reef biodiversity and human uses: explore a problem (7-Y.1)
      • Coral reef biodiversity and human uses: evaluate solutions (7-Y.2)

    • S.7.B.3.2.4 Explain how changes in environmental conditions can affect the survival of a population and entire species (e.g., climate, hibernation, migration, coloration).

  • S.7.B.3.3 Explain how renewable and nonrenewable resources provide for human needs and how these needs impact the environment.

    • S.7.B.3.3.1 Explain how renewable and/or nonrenewable resources provide for human needs (i.e., energy, food, water, clothing, and shelter).

    • S.7.B.3.3.2 Explain how the use of renewable and/or nonrenewable resources affects the environment.

S.7.C Physical Sciences

• S.7.C.1 Structure, Properties, and Interaction of Matter and Energy

  • S.7.C.1.1 Describe the structure of matter and its chemical and physical properties.

    • S.7.C.1.1.1 Use characteristic physical or chemical properties of matter to distinguish one substance from another (e.g., density, freezing/melting points, solubility, ability to rust).

    • S.7.C.1.1.2 Recognize that the atom is the basic building block for all matter.

      • What are atoms and chemical elements? (7-E.1)
      • Describe the atomic composition of molecules (7-E.4)

    • S.7.C.1.1.3 Explain the differences between elements, compounds, and mixtures.

      • How are substances represented by chemical formulas and models? (7-E.2)
      • Classify elementary substances and compounds using chemical formulas (7-E.5)
      • Classify elementary substances and compounds using models (7-E.6)

    • S.7.C.1.1.4 Describe the relationship between mass and volume as density.

      • Calculate density, mass, and volume (7-D.1)

  • S.7.C.1.2 Compare chemical and physical changes of matter.

    • Compare physical and chemical changes (7-F.5)

    • S.7.C.1.2.1 Identify the reactants and products of simple chemical reactions (e.g., photosynthesis, cellular respiration).

      • Identify reactants and products (7-F.1)
      • Understanding the chemistry of cellular respiration (7-N.2)

    • S.7.C.1.2.2 Compare the behavior of particle motion in solids, liquids, and gasses.

      • Particle motion and changes of state (7-J.2)

• S.7.C.2 Forms, Sources, Conversion, and Transfer of Energy

  • S.7.C.2.1 Describe how energy flows through the living world.

    • S.7.C.2.1.1 Describe how energy is obtained and used by organisms throughout their lives.

      • How does matter move in food chains? (7-X.1)
      • Interpret food webs I (7-X.2)
      • Interpret food webs II (7-X.3)

    • S.7.C.2.1.2 Describe how energy is transferred and conserved in a closed system.

    • S.7.C.2.1.3 Describe energy transformations within an ecosystem.

• S.7.C.3 Principles of Motion and Force

  • S.7.C.3.1 Explain the principles of force and motion.

    • S.7.C.3.1.1 Describe how unbalanced forces acting on an object change its velocity.

      • Balanced and unbalanced forces (7-G.9)

    • S.7.C.3.1.2 Describe forces acting on an object (e.g., friction, gravity, balanced verses unbalanced).

      • Identify whether objects are accelerating (7-G.6)
      • How does mass affect force and acceleration? (7-G.7)
      • Balanced and unbalanced forces (7-G.9)

    • S.7.C.3.1.3 Explain the mechanical advantages of simple machines.

S.7.D Earth and Space Sciences

• S.7.D.1 Earth Features and Processes that Change Earth and Its Resources

  • S.7.D.1.1 Describe Earth structures and processes that characterize different biomes on Earth.

    • S.7.D.1.1.1 Identify and describe soil characteristics (i.e., particle size, porosity, and permeability) of different biomes.

    • S.7.D.1.1.2 Explain how fossils are formed and how they can provide evidence about plants and animals that once lived on Earth.

  • S.7.D.1.2 Describe characteristic features and significance of Earth's water systems.

    • S.7.D.1.2.1 Compare the different water systems on Earth (e.g., wetland, watershed, ocean, river).

      • Identify ecosystems (7-W.2)
      • Describe ecosystems (7-W.3)

    • S.7.D.1.2.2 Compare biotic and abiotic features of freshwater and saltwater systems.

    • S.7.D.1.2.3 Describe the importance of water systems on the diversity and distribution of life on Earth.

• S.7.D.2 Weather, Climate, and Atmospheric Processes

  • S.7.D.2.1 Explain the basic elements of meteorology.

    • S.7.D.2.1.1 Explain the effect of wind patterns, circulation of oceans currents, atmospheric pressure, and temperature on weather.

      • Explore air masses (7-EE.2)
      • Identify and compare air masses (7-EE.3)
      • How do air masses form? (7-EE.4)

    • S.7.D.2.1.2 Describe changes in atmospheric conditions associated with various weather patterns.

• S.7.D.3 Composition and Structure of the Universe

  • S.7.D.3.1 Describe the essential ideas about the composition and structure of the universe and Earth's place in it.

    • S.7.D.3.1.1 Describe the patterns of Earth's rotation and revolution in relation to the Sun and Moon (i.e., solar eclipse, lunar eclipse, phases of the Moon, and time).

      • Analyze models of the Earth-Sun-Moon system (7-HH.1)
      • Identify phases of the Moon (7-HH.2)

    • S.7.D.3.1.2 Explain how gravity is the essential force in determining the motions of the planets and other objects in the solar system.

    • S.7.D.3.1.3 Compare the properties and conditions of objects in the solar system to those of Earth.

      • Analyze data to compare properties of planets (7-HH.4)

    • S.7.D.3.1.4 Identify and describe instruments that are used to study the universe (e.g., telescope, probes, satellites, space observatories).