Mission, Vision, Competencies, Standards, and Benchmarks

‣ Support an argument that the gravitational force exerted by Earth on objects is
directed down. (4-6)
‣ Use evidence to construct an explanation relating the speed of an object to the energy
of that object. (4-6)
‣ Make observations to provide evidence that energy can be transferred from place to
place by sound, light, heat and electrical currents. (K-6)
‣ Ask questions and predict outcomes about the changes in energy that occur when
objects collide. (4-6)
‣ Apply scientific ideas to design, test, and refine a device that converts energy from
one form to another. (4-6)
‣ Develop a model of waves to describe patterns in terms of amplitude and wavelength
and that waves can cause objects to move. (4-6)
‣ Develop a model to describe that light reflecting from objects and entering the eye
allows objects to be seen. (4-6)
‣ Generate and compare multiple solutions that use patterns to transfer information(4-6)
Earth and Space Science
Students will understand that…
‣ Human dependence on Earth’s land, ocean, atmosphere, and biosphere for many
different resources. Minerals, fresh water, and biosphere resources are limited, and
many are not renewable or replaceable over human lifetimes.
‣ As human populations and per-capita consumption of natural resources increase, so
do the negative impacts on Earth unless the activities and technologies involved are
engineered otherwise.
‣ Human activities affect Earth’s systems and their interactions at its surface.
‣ Human activities in agriculture, industry, and everyday life have had major effects on
the land, vegetation, streams, ocean, air, and even outer space. But individuals and
communities are doing things to help protect Earth’s resources and environments.
‣ Some resources are renewable over time, while others are not.
‣ Earth’s crust consists of major and minor tectonic plates that move relative
to each other.
‣ Science plays a profound role in personal and social perspectives relating to natural
resources, environmental quality, health, hazards, and global challenges utilizing the
biblical directive to be good stewards from a scientific and Christian perspective.
‣ Science is a human endeavor where people interpret scientific knowledge and ethical
conduct based on historical context and their personal faith and beliefs.
‣ God’s Creation reflects His revelation in such verses as: “Ever since the creation of
the world His invisible nature, namely, His eternal power and deity, has been clearly
perceived in the things that have been made.” [Rom 1:19-
20] As well: Gen.1,2; Job 38-41; Psalm 19:1-6; Psalm 24:1-2.
Earth and Space Science Meta-Skills
‣ Explain how the solar system includes the sun and all celestial bodies that orbit the
sun. Each planet in the solar system has unique characteristics.
‣ Identify the sun as one of many stars that exists in the universe.
‣ See predictability in most of the cycles and patterns of motion between the Earth
and sun.
‣ Identify specific, quantifiable properties of minerals.
‣ Identify and classify igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks using their
unique characteristics.
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