Science

 For science we will first discuss what science is, review the scientific method and discuss the different tools scientists use. We will also look at how scientists conduct experiments as well. After that we will dive into physical science learning about energy, forces and motion, and waves and their applications!

1st Grade Overview

Fist Grade Standards

1.PS3: Energy
1) Make observations to determine how sunlight warms Earth’s surfaces (sand, soil, rocks, and water).

1.PS4: Waves and Their Application in Technologies for Information Transfer

1) Use a model to describe how light is required to make objects visible. Summarize how Illumination
could be from an external light source or by an object giving off its own light.
2) Determine the effect of placing objects made with different materials (transparent, translucent,
opaque, and reflective) in the path of a beam of light.

1.LS1: From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
1) Recognize the structure of plants (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) and describe the function of
the parts (taking in water and air, producing food, making new plants).
2) Illustrate and summarize the life cycle of plants.
3) Analyze and interpret data from observations to describe how changes in the environment cause
plants to respond in different ways.

1.LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
1) Conduct an experiment to show how plants depend on air, water, minerals from soil, and light to
grow and thrive.
2) Obtain and communicate information to classify plants by where they grow (water, land) and the
plant’s physical characteristics.
3) Recognize how plants depend on their surroundings and other living things to meet their needs in
the places they live.

1.ESS1: Earth’s Place in the Universe
1) Use observations or models of the sun, moon, and stars to describe patterns that can be predicted.
2) Observe natural objects in the sky that can be seen from Earth with the naked eye and recognize
that a telescope, used as a tool, can provide greater detail of objects in the sky.
3) Analyze data to predict patterns between sunrise and sunset, and the change of seasons.

1.ETS1: Engineering Design
1) Solve scientific problems by asking testable questions, making short-term and long-term
observations, and gathering information.

1.ETS2: Links Among Engineering, Technology, Science, and Society
1) Use appropriate tools (magnifying glass, basic balance scale) to make observations and answer
testable scientific questions.

2nd Grade Overview

Second Grade Standards

2.PS2: Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions

1) Analyze the push or the pull that occurs when objects collide or are connected.

2) Evaluate the effects of different strengths and directions of a push or a pull on the motion of an

object.

3) Recognize the effect of multiple pushes and pulls on an object's movement or non-movement.

2.PS3: Energy

1) Demonstrate how a stronger push or pull makes things go faster and how faster speeds during a

collision can cause a bigger change in the shape of the colliding objects.

2) Make observations and conduct experiments to provide evidence that friction produces heat and

reduces or increases the motion of an object.

2.PS4: Waves and Their Applications in Technologies for Information

Transfer

1) Plan and conduct investigations to demonstrate the cause and effect relationship between vibrating

materials (tuning forks, water, bells) and sound.

2) Use tools and materials to design and build a device to understand that light and sound travel in

waves and can send signals over a distance.

3) Observe and demonstrate that waves move in regular patterns of motion by disturbing the surface

of shallow and deep water.

2.LS1: From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes

1) Use evidence and observations to explain that many animals use their body parts and senses in

different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek,

find, and take in food, water, and air.

2) Obtain and communicate information to classify animals (vertebrates-mammals, birds, amphibians,

reptiles, fish, invertebrates-insects) based on their physical characteristics.

3) Use simple graphical representations to show that species have unique and diverse life cycles.

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2.LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

1) Develop and use models to compare how animals depend on their surroundings and other living

things to meet their needs in the places they live.

2) Predict what happens to animals when the environment changes (temperature, cutting down trees,

wildfires, pollution, salinity, drought, land preservation).

2.LS3: Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits

1) Use evidence to explain that living things have physical traits inherited from parents and that

variations of these traits exist in groups of similar organisms.

2.ESS1: Earth’s Place in the Universe

1) Recognize that some of Earth’s natural processes are cyclical, while others have a beginning and an

end. Some events happen quickly, while others occur slowly over time.

2.ESS2: Earth’s Systems

1) Compare the effectiveness of multiple solutions designed to slow or prevent wind or water from

changing the shape of the land.

2) Observe and analyze how blowing wind and flowing water can move Earth materials (soil, rocks)

from one place to another, changing the shape of a landform and affecting the habitats of living things.

3) Compare simple maps of different land areas to observe the shapes and kinds of land (rock, soil,

sand) and water (river, stream, lake, pond).

4) Use information obtained from reliable sources to explain that water is found in the ocean, rivers,

streams, lakes, and ponds, and may be solid or liquid.

2.ETS1: Engineering Design

1) Define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object

or tool by asking questions, making observations, and gather accurate information about a situation

people want to change.

2) Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model that communicates solutions to others. 

3) Recognize that to solve a problem, one may need to break the problem into parts, address each

part, and then bring the parts back together

4) Compare and contrast solutions to a design problem by using evidence to point out strengths and

weaknesses of the design.

2.ETS2: Links Among Engineering, Technology, Science, and Society

1) Use appropriate tools to make observations, record data, and refine design ideas.

2) Predict and explain how human life and the natural world would be different without current

technologies.