Components

9-10 Benchmark

Properties of Substances

• Recognize the atomic nature of matter, how it relates to physical and chemical properties, and serves as the basis for the structure and use of the periodic table.

Motion of Objects

• Describe the average speed, direction of motion, and average acceleration of objects, for example, increasing, decreasing, or constant acceleration.

Wave Behavior

• Describe waves, relating the ideas of frequency, wavelength, and speed, and by relating energy to amplitude.

Energy Sources and Kinds

• Understand many forms of energy as they are found in common situations on Earth and in the universe.

Components

9-10 Benchmark

Systems Approach

• Analyze systems, including the inputs and outputs of a system and its subsystems.

Energy Transfer and Transformation

• Understand that total energy is conserved; analyze decreases and increases in energy during transfers and transformation in terms of total energy conservation.

Structure of Matter

• Relate the structural characteristics of atoms to the principles of atomic bonding.

Components

9-10 Benchmark

Nature of Forces

• Identify various forces and their relative magnitudes, and explain everyday situations in terms of force.

Forces to Explain Motion

• Explain the effects of unbalanced forces in changing the direction of motion of objects.

Physical/Chemical Changes

• Analyze and explain the factors that affect physical, chemical, and nuclear changes and how matter and energy are conserved in a closed system.

Components

9-10 Benchmark

Nature and Properties of Earth Materials

• Correlate the chemical composition of Earth materials such as rocks, soils, water, gases of the atmosphere, with physical properties.

Components

9-10 Benchmark

Systems Approach

• Analyze systems, including the inputs and outputs of a system and its subsystems.

Components and Patterns of the Earth System

• Analyze the patterns and arrangements of Earth systems and subsystem including the core, the mantle, tectonic plates, the hydrosphere, and layers of the atmosphere.
• Understand that the solar system is in a galaxy in a universe composed of an immense number of stars and other celestial bodies.

Components of the Solar System and Beyond (Universe)

• Understand that the solar system is in a galaxy in an expanding universe composed of immense numbers of stars and celestial bodies.

Components

9-10 Benchmark

Processes and Interactions in the Earth System

• Explain how patterns and arrangements of landforms, oceans, and the atmosphere are determined by natural forces and how the theory of plate tectonics accounts for crustal movement over time; describe how volcanoes and earthquakes in Washington State occur because of this interaction.

History and Evolution of the Earth

• Explain how fossils, radioactive elements, and other evidence can be used to correlate and determine the sequence of geologic events.

Hydrosphere/Atmosphere

• Correlate global climate to energy transfer by the Sun, cloud cover, the Earth's rotation, and positions of mountain ranges and ocean.

Interactions in the Solar System and Beyond (Universe)

• Understand that the Earth, other planets, Sun, and the rest of the celestial bodies in the universe are continuing to evolve because of interactions between matter and forces of nature.

Components

9-10 Benchmark

Characteristics of Living Things

• Classify organisms into distinct groups according to structural, cellular, biochemical, and genetic characteristics.

Components

9-10 Benchmark

Systems Approach

• Analyze systems, including the inputs and outputs of a system and its subsystems.

Structure and Organization of Living Systems

• Understand that specific genes regulate the functions performed by structures within cells.

Molecular Basis of Heredity

• Describe how genetic information (DNA) in the cell is controlled at the molecular level and provides genetic continuity between generations.

Human Biology

• Compare and contrast the specialized structural and functional systems that regulate human growth and development, and maintain health.

Components

9-10 Benchmark

Life Processes and the Flow of Matter and Energy

• Explain how organisms and ecosystems can sustain life by obtaining, transporting, transforming, and releasing, matter and energy, and eliminating matter.

Biological Evolution

• Investigate and examine the scientific evidence used to develop the theory of biological evolution, and the concepts of speciation, adaptation, and biological diversity.

Interdependence of Life

• Compare and contrast the complex biotic and abiotic factors that affect living organisms' interactions in biomes, ecosystems, communities, and populations.

Components

9-10 Benchmark

Questioning

• Study and analyze questions and related concepts that guide scientific investigations.

Planning and Conducting Safe Investigations

• Plan, conduct, and evaluate systematic and complex scientific investigations, using appropriate technology, multiple measures, and safe approaches.

Explaining

• Formulate and revise scientific explanations and models using logic and evidence; recognize and analyze alternative explanations and predictions.

Modeling

• Use mathematics, computers and/or related technology to model the behavior of objects, events, or processes; analyze advantages and limitations of models.

Communicating

• Research, interpret, and defend scientific investigations, conclusions, or arguments; use data, logic, and analytical thinking as investigative tools; express ideas through visual, oral, written, and mathematical expression.

Components

9-10 Benchmark

Intellectual Honesty

• Analyze and explain why curiosity, honesty, openness, and skepticism are integral to scientific inquiry.

Limitations of Science and Technology

• Identify and analyze factors that limit the extent of scientific investigations.

Evaluating Inconsistent Results

• Compare, contrast, and critique divergent results from scientific investigations based on scientific arguments and explanations.

Evaluating Methods of Investigation

• Analyze and evaluate the quality and standards of investigative processes and procedures.

Evolution of Scientific Ideas

• Know that science involves testing, revising, and occasionally discarding theories; understand that scientific inquiry and investigation lead to a better understanding of the natural world and not to absolute truth.

Components

9-10 Benchmark

Identifying Problems

• Study and analyze challenges or problems from local, regional, national, or global contexts in which science and technology can be or has been used to design a solution.

Designing and Testing Solutions

• Research, model, simulate, design, and test alternative solutions to a problem.

Evaluating Potential Solutions

• Propose, revise, and evaluate the possible constraints, applications, and consequences of solutions to a problem or challenge.

Components

9-10 Benchmark

All People Contribute to Science and Technology

• Analyze how scientific knowledge and technological advances discovered and developed by individuals and communities in all cultures of the world contribute to changes in societies.

Relationship of Science and Technology

• Analyze how the scientific enterprise and technological advances influence and are influenced by human activity, for example, societal, environmental, economical, political, or ethical considerations.

Careers and Occupations Using Science, Mathematics, and Technology

• Investigate the scientific, mathematical, and technological knowledge, training, and experience needed for occupational/career areas of interest.

Environmental and Resource Issues

• Analyze the effects of natural events and human activities on Earth's capacity to sustain biological diversity.