Mission, Vision, Competencies, Standards, and Benchmarks

‣ Explain the various ways igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks form.
‣ Understand soil is made of unconsolidated material that contains nutrient matter and
weathered rock.
‣ Identify practical and common uses of rocks, minerals and soils.
‣ Trace the hydrologic cycle as illustrating the changing states of water as it moves
through the lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere.
‣ Explore how thermal energy transfers in the ocean and the atmosphere contribute to
the formation of currents, which influence global climate patterns.
‣ Identify different properties of the atmosphere at different elevations and how the
atmosphere contains a mixture of gases that cycle through the lithosphere, biosphere,
hydrosphere and atmosphere.
‣ Explore the relative patterns of motion and positions of the Earth, moon and sun
cause solar and lunar eclipses, tides and phases of the moon.
‣ Explain the effect of the composition and properties of Earth’s interior in relationship to
the behavior of seismic waves.
‣ Explore the combination of constructive and destructive geologic processes that
formed Earth’s surfaces.
‣ Use the geologic record to show evidence of the dynamic changes of Earth’s surface
through time.
Science and Technology
‣ Demonstrate and apply examples of relationships between science and technology.
‣ Operate within a Christian perspective and ethical framework to articulate ethical
issues related to technology use.
‣ Acquire, analyze, and communicate information using technology.
‣ Engage in problem-solving applying a design solution or build a product where
constraints exist.
By close of grade 12, Upper School students will work to build the following
skills in science:
Life Science 7
‣ Observe and research how organisms perform a variety of roles in an ecosystem.
‣ All of the processes that take place within organisms require energy.
‣ Explore and understand that cells are the fundamental unit of life.
‣ Explore how all cells come from pre-existing cells.
‣ Explain specific functions of cells that sustain life.
‣ Demonstrate understanding that living systems at all levels of organization
demonstrate the complementary nature of structure and function.
‣ Explain that matter is transferred continuously between one organism to another and
between organisms and their physical environments.
‣ Investigate how in any particular biome, the number, growth and survival of
organisms and populations depend on biotic and abiotic factors.
‣ Explore the theory that diversity of species occurs through gradual processes over
many generations.
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