LAS CRUCES PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Integrated Earth and Physical Science Content Map

SCIENCE: Integrated Earth and Physical Science
I II III IV NM SBA Expec
Strand I: Scientific Thinking and Practice
Standard I: Understand the processes of scientific investigations and use inquiry and scientific ways of observing, experimenting, predicting, and validating to think critica
Describe the essential components of an Convey results of investigations using Use technologies to quantify relationships Critically analyze an accepted Use accepted scientific me
investigation, including appropriate scientific concepts, methodologies, and in scientific hypotheses (e.g., calculators, explanation by reviewing current analyze, and interpret data
methodologies, proper equipment, and expressions, including: mathematical computer spreadsheets and databases, scientific knowledge. and to design and conduct
safety precautions. expressions and processes (e.g., mean, graphing software, simulations, modeling). investigations and commun
median, slope, proportionality). Examine investigations of current
Design and conduct scientific Understand how scientific processes interest in science (e.g., Understand that scientific p
investigations that include: testable Use appropriate technologies to collect, produce valid, reliable results, including: superconductivity, molecular produce scientific knowledg
hypotheses, controls and variables, analyze, and communicate scientific data openness to peer review, full disclosure machines, age of the universe). continually evaluated, valid
results that address hypotheses being (e.g., computers, calculators). and examination of assumptions. rejected
investigated, predictions based on Examine the scientific processes and
results, and error analysis. Use mathematical models to describe, logic used in investigations of past Use mathematical concepts
explain, and predict natural phenomena. events (e.g., using data from crime expressions to analyze dat
Use appropriate technologies to collect, scenes, fossils), investigations that models, understand pattern
analyze, and communicate scientific data can be planned in advance but are relationships, evaluate find
(e.g., balances, microscopes). only done once (e.g., expensive or conclusions
time-consuming experiments such as
Convey results of investigations using medical clinical trials), and
scientific concepts, methodologies, and investigations of phenomena that can
expressions, including: scientific be repeated easily and frequently.
language and symbols, charts, and other
data displays, clear, logical, and concise
communication with reasoned arguments

Understand how scientific processes

produce valid, reliable results, including:
consistency of explanations with data and
observations, testability of hypotheses,
repeatability of experiments and
reproducibility of results.

Create multiple displays of data to

analyze and explain the relationships in
scientific investigations.

Identify and apply measurement

techniques and consider possible effects
of measurement errors.

Design and conduct scientific

investigations that include: methods to
collect, analyze, and interpret data, re-
evaluation of hypotheses and additional
experimentation as necessary.

Understand how scientific theories are

used to explain and predict natural
phenomena (e.g., plate tectonics, ocean
currents, structure of atom).

Use scientific reasoning and valid logic to

recognize: faulty logic, cause and effect,
the difference between observation and
unsubstantiated inferences and
conclusions and potential bias.

Understand how new data and

observations can result in new scientific
knowledge.

Use mathematics to express and

establish scientific relationships (e.g.,
scientific notation, vectors, dimensional
analysis).

Strand II: Content of Science

Standard III: (Earth and Space Science) Understand the structure of the Earth, the solar system, and he universe, the interconnections among them, and the processes and interactions of
Understand the scale and contents of Predict changes in the positions and Explain plate tectonic theory and Know that materials containing equal Examine the scientific theo
the universe, including: range of appearances of objects in the sky (e.g., understand the evidence that supports it. amounts of positive and negative structure, contents, and evo
structures from atoms through moon, sun) based on knowledge of charges are electrically neutral, but solar system and the unive
astronomical objects to the universe current positions and patterns of Know that Earth’s systems are driven by that a small excess or deficit of interconnections
objects in the universe such as planets, movements (e.g., lunar cycles, seasons) internal (i.e., radioactive decay and negative charges produces significant
stars, galaxies, and nebulae. gravitational energy) and external (i.e., electrical forces. Examine the scientific theo
 Understand that energy can change from the sun) sources of energy. structure, energy, and evol
Understand how knowledge about the one form to another (e.g., changes in Understand how the type and its atmosphere, and their in
universe comes from evidence collected kinetic and potential energy in a arrangement of atoms and their bonds
Describe convection as the mechanism
from advanced technology (e.g., gravitational field, heats of reaction, determine macroscopic properties Understand the properties,
for moving heat energy from deep within
telescopes, satellites, images, computer hydroelectric dams) and know that energy (e.g., boiling point, electrical structures, and reactions of
Earth to the surface and discuss how this
models). is conserved in these changes conductivity, hardness of minerals).
process results in plate tectonics,
Understand the transforma
including; (a) geological manifestations
Describe the key observations that led to Understand that the ability of energy to do Describe the composition and transmission of energy and
(e.g., earthquakes, volcanoes, mountain
the acceptance of the Big Bang theory something useful (work) tends to structure of Earth’s materials, matter interact
building) that occur at plate boundaries
and that the age of the universe is over decrease (and never increases) as including; (a) the major rock types
and (b) impact of plate motions on
10 billion years energy is converted from one form to (i.e., sedimentary, igneous, Understand the motion of o
societies and the environment (e.g.,
another. metamorphic) and their formation and waves, and the forces that
earthquakes, volcanoes).
Explain how objects in the universe emit (b)
different electromagnetic radiation and Identify different forms of energy, natural resources (e.g., minerals,
Describe wave propagation using
how this information is used. including kinetic, gravitational (potential), petroleum) and their formation.
amplitude, wavelength, frequency, and
chemical, thermal, nuclear, and
speed.
Describe how stars are powered by electromagnetic.
nuclear fusion, how luminosity and
Explain how the interactions of waves can
temperature indicate their age, and how Explain how thermal energy (heat)
result in interference, reflection, and
stellar processes create heavier and consists of the random motion and
refraction.
stable elements that are found vibrations of atoms and molecules and is
throughout the universe. measured by temperature.
Understand the relationship between
force and pressure, and how the pressure
Examine the role that New Mexico Understand how heat can be transferred
of a volume of gas depends on the
research facilities play in current space by conduction, convection, and radiation,
temperature and the amount of gas.
exploration (e.g., Very Large Array, and how heat conduction differs in
Goddard Space Center). conductors and insulators.
Describe the characteristics and the
evolution of Earth in terms of the
Understand that matter is made of atoms Describe relative motion using frames of
geosphere, the hydrosphere, and the
and that atoms are made of subatomic reference.
atmosphere.
particles.
Represent the magnitude and direction of
Describe the internal structure of Earth
Understand atomic structure, including forces by vector diagrams.
(e.g., core, mantle, crust) and the
(a) atom held together by proton-electron structure of Earth’s plates.
electrical forces, (b) nucleus made of Apply Newton’s Laws to describe and
protons and neutrons, (c) most space analyze the behavior of moving objects,
Explain how layers of the atmosphere
occupied by electrons, (d) masses of including; (a) displacement, velocity, and
(e.g., ozone, ionosphere) change
proton and neutron 2000 times greater acceleration of a moving object, (b)
naturally and artificially.
than mass of electron, and (e) isotopes of Newton’s Second Law, F = ma (e.g.,
an element momentum and its conservation, the
Describe how waves are used for
motion of an object falling under gravity,
practical purposes (e.g., seismic data,
the independence of a falling object’s
Know that there are four fundamental motion on mass), and (c) circular motion and Doppler effect).
forces in nature: gravitation, and centripetal force.
electromagnetism, weak nuclear force,
and strong nuclear force. Know that when one object exerts a force
on a second object, the second object
Know that each kind of atom or molecule exerts a force of equal magnitude and in
can gain or lose energy only in discrete the opposite direction on the first object
amounts. (i.e., Newton’s Third Law).

Recognize that radiometric data indicate Know that every object exerts
that Earth is at least 4 billion years old gravitational force on every other object,
and that Earth has changed during that and how this force depends on the
period. masses of the objects and the distance
between them.
Understand the changes in Earth’s past
and the investigative methods used to
determine geologic time, including:
rock sequences, relative dating, fossil
correlation, and radiometric dating;
geologic time scales, historic changes in
life forms, and the evidence for absolute
ages (e.g., radiometric methods, tree
rings, paleomagnetism).

Describe trends in properties (e.g.,

ionization energy or reactivity as a
function of location on the periodic table,
boiling point of organic liquids as a
function of molecular weight).

Explain how electrons determine the

properties of substances by; (a)
interactions between atoms through
transferring or sharing valence electrons,
(b) ionic and covalent bonds, and (c) the
ability of carbon to form a diverse array of
organic structures.

Know that some atomic nuclei can

change, including (a) alpha, beta, and
gamma radiation, (b) spontaneous decay,
(c) half-life of isotopes, (d) fission, and (e)
fusion (e.g., the sun)