Science

Unit 1

• The universe and its stars
• Observation of the universe
• Classification of celestial objects
• Milky Way and other galaxies
• The structure of Earth’s solar system
• Sun, Earth, and moon relationships
• Motions of bodies in the solar system
• Patterns of apparent motion of the sun, moon, and stars
• The tilt of Earth’s axis and its effects
• Moon phases

Unit 2

• Tides
• History of planet Earth
• Geologic time scale, interpreted from rock strata and the fossil record
• Renewable and nonrenewable energy sources
• Environmental concerns and conservation
• Plant development and reproduction
• Animal development and reproduction
• Cell division and growth
• Structure and function of genes
• Changes (mutations) to genes

Unit 3

• Genetic diseases
• Genetic engineering
• Variations and adaptations in organisms
• Natural selection
• Existence, diversity, extinction, and change of life forms in Earth’s history
• Fossils and the fossil record
• Similarities and differences between organisms today and organisms in the fossil record
• Evolutionary history of life on Earth
• Types of forces and force interaction
• Force and motion

Unit 4

• Energy and motion
• Newton’s laws of motion
• Electric and electromagnetic forces
• Gravitational force
• Gravitational forces between objects in the solar system
• Waves (light, heat, sound), their properties, and transmission
• Electromagnetic radiation
• Magnetic fields; Earth’s magnetic fields
• Transmission of digital signals as wave pulses