Science 9-10 Benchmarks

East Central Ohio Area Media Center

Resources for Science 9-10 Benchmarks

Earth and Space Sciences

A. Explain how evidence from stars and other celestial objects provide information about the processes that cause changes in the composition and scale of the physical universe.

B. Explain that many processes occur in patterns within the Earthąs systems.

C. Explain the 4.5 billion-year-history of Earth and the 4 billion-year-history of life on Earth based on observable scientific evidence in the geological record.

D. Describe the finite nature of Earthąs resources and those human activities that can conserve or deplete Earthąs resources.

E. Explain the processes that move and shape Earthąs surface.

F. Summarize the historical development of scientific theories and ideas, and describe emerging issues in the study of Earth and space sciences.

Life Sciences

A. Explain that cells are the basic unit of structure and function of living organisms, that once life originated all cells come from pre-existing cells, and that there are a variety of cell types.

B. Explain the characteristics of life as indicated by cellular processes and describe the process of cell division and development.

C. Explain the genetic mechanisms and molecular basis of inheritance.

D. Explain the flow of energy and the cycling of matter through biological and ecological systems (cellular, organismal and ecological).

E. Explain how evolutionary relationships contibute to an understanding of the unity and diversity of life.

F. Explain the structure and function of ecosystems and relate how ecosystems change over time.

G. Describe how human activities can impact the status of natural systems.

H. Describe a foundation of biological evolution as the change in gene frequency of a population over time. Explain the historical and current scientific developments, mechanisms and processes of biological evolution. Describe how scientists continue to investigate and critically analyze aspects of evolutionary theory. (The intent of this benchmark does not mandate the teaching or testing of intelligent design.)

I. Explain how natural selection and other evolutionary mechanisms account for the unity and diversity of past and present life forms.

J. Summarize the historical development of scientific theories and ideas, and describe emerging issues in the study of life sciences.

Physical Sciences

A. Describe that matter is made of minute particles called atoms and atoms are comprised of even smaller components. Explain the structure and properties of atoms.

B. Explain how atoms react with each other to form other substances and how molecules react with each other or other atoms to form even different substances.

C. Describe the identifiable physical properties of substances (e.g., color, hardness, conductivity, density, concentration and ductility). Explain how changes in these properties can occur without changing the chemical nature of the substance.

D. Explain the movement of objects by applying Newtonąs three laws of motion.

E. Demonstrate that energy can be considered to be either kinetic (motion) or potential (stored).

F. Explain how energy may change form or be redistributed but the total quantity of energy is conserved.

G. Demonstrate that waves (e.g., sound, seismic, water and light) have energy and waves can transfer energy when they interact with matter.

H. Trace the historical development of scientific theories and ideas, and describe emerging issues in the study of physical sciences.

Science and Technology

A. Explain the ways in which the processes of technological design respond to the needs of society.

B. Explain that science and technology are interdependent; each drives the other.

Scientific Inquiry

A. Participate in and apply the processes of scientific investigation to create models and to design, conduct, evaluate and communicate the results of these investigations.

Scientific Ways of Knowing

A. Explain that scientific knowledge must be based on evidence, be predictive, logical, subject to modification and limited to the natural world.

B. Explain how scientific inquiry is guided by knowledge, observations, ideas and questions.

C. Describe the ethical practices and guidelines in which science operates.

D. Recognize that scientific literacy is part of being a knowledgeable citizen.

Other Science Grade Level Benchmarks

Grades K-2 Science Benchmarks

Grades 3-5 Science Benchmarks

Grades 6-8 Science Benchmarks

Grades 11-12 Science Benchmarks

Other Academic Content Standards

English Language Arts