Oxford High School

Courses in Science

# 312    Energy, Matter, and Earth Science - Academic (9)     Full Year    1.0 Credit

This course is designed to be a hands-on exploration of Physical and Earth Science. Always focused on making the connections between science and technology and their impact on the quality of our lives, the study of science uses multiple pathways of scientific reasoning to explore energy transfer and transformations (What is the role of energy in our world?), properties of matter (How does the structure of matter affect the properties and uses of materials?), the changing Earth (How do materials cycle through the Earth’s systems?), and a variety of other topics designed to build foundational scientific understandings.

1. Enduring Understandings (broad ideas, usually grounded in the discipline):

Science is a creative endeavor that uses logical, analytical processes.

SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY        

• Scientific inquiry is a thoughtful and coordinated attempt to search out, describe, explain and predict natural phenomena.
• Scientific inquiry progresses through a continuous process of questioning, data collection, analysis and interpretation.
• Scientific inquiry requires the sharing of findings and ideas for critical review by colleagues and other scientists

SCIENTIFIC LITERACY

• Scientific literacy includes the ability to read, write, discuss and present coherent ideas about science.
• Scientific literacy also includes the ability to search for and assess the relevance and credibility of scientific information found in various print and electronic media.

SCIENTIFIC NUMERACY

• Scientific numeracy includes the ability to use mathematical operations and procedures to calculate, analyze and present scientific data and ideas.

 

2. Course Specific Goals (aligned with Content Standards):

ENERGY TRANSFER AND TRANSFORMATIONS - Energy cannot be created or destroyed; however, energy can be converted from one form to another. Various sources of energy are used by humans and all have advantages and disadvantages.

PROPERTIES OF MATTER - The structure of matter affects its properties and uses.

SYSTEMS ON EARTH – Materials cycle through the Earth’s systems and have an impact on planetary equilibrium.
 

3. Expected Performances (aligned with state Expected Performances)

• Identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigation.

• Read, interpret and examine the credibility and validity of scientific claims in different sources of information.

• Design and conduct appropriate types of scientific investigations to answer different questions.

• Identify independent variables, dependent variables, constants and controls in an experiment.

• Use appropriate tools and techniques to make observations and gather data.

• Use mathematical operations to analyze and interpret data, and present relationships between variables in appropriate forms.

• Input data into a spreadsheet, program appropriate calculations, and generate graphs.

• Articulate conclusions and explanations based on research data, and assess results based on the design of the investigation.

• Assess the reliability and validity of the data that was generated in an investigation and justify confidence in results.

• Communicate about science in different formats, using relevant science vocabulary, supporting evidence and clear logic.

• Identify an issue and its implications completely.

• Develop an action plan that addresses all aspects of the issue in detail.

• Use a variety of reliable sources of relevant information, data, knowledge, or experiences to take and support a critical stance.

• Describe the effects of adding energy to matter in terms of the motion of atoms and molecules, and the resulting phase changes.

• Explain how energy is transferred by conduction, convection, and radiation.

• Describe energy transformations among heat, light, electricity, and motion.

• Explain the relationship among voltage, current, and resistance in a simple series circuit.

• Explain how electricity is used to produce heat and light in incandescent bulbs and heating elements.

• Describe the relationship between current and magnetism.

• Explain how heat is used to generate electricity.

• Describe the availability, current uses and environmental issues related to the use of fossil and nuclear fuels to produce electricity.

• Describe the availability, current uses and environmental issues related to the use of hydrogen fuel cells, wind and solar energy to produce electricity.

• Describe the general structure of the atom, and explain how the properties of the first 20 elements in the Periodic Table are related to their atomic structures.

• Describe how atoms combine to form new substances by transferring electrons (ionic bonding) or sharing electrons (covalent bonding).

• Explain the chemical composition of acids and bases, and explain the change of pH in neutralization reactions.

• Explain how the structure of the carbon atom affects the type of bonds it forms in organic and inorganic molecules.

• Describe combustion reactions of hydrocarbons and their resulting by-products

• Explain the general formation and structure of carbon-based polymers, including synthetic polymers.

• Explain how simple chemical monomers can be combined to create linear, branched and/or cross-linked polymers.

• Explain how the chemical structure of polymers affects their physical properties.

• Explain the short- and long-term impacts of landfills and incineration of waste materials on the quality of the environment.

• Explain how chemical and physical processes cause carbon to cycle through the major earth reservoirs.

• Explain how solar energy causes water to cycle through the major earth reservoirs.

• Explain how internal energy of the Earth causes matter to cycle through the magma and the solid earth.

• Explain how the release of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) into the atmosphere can form acid rain, and how acid rain affects water sources, organisms and human-made structures.

• Explain how the accumulation of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere increases Earth’s Greenhouse Effect and may cause climate changes.

• Conduct a case study to determine how the accumulation of mercury, phosphates and nitrates affects the quality of water and the organisms that live in the Housatonic River and Long Island Sound.

• Explain how land development, transportation options and consumption of resources may affect the environment.

• Describe human efforts to reduce the consumption of raw materials and improve air and water quality.

 Energy, Matter, and Earth Science - Academic (9):  Scope and Sequence Calendar