Common Core State Standards & Next Generation Science Standards
Biology
- Cellular respiration (aerobic and anaerobic)
- Plant and animal cells
- Structure of a bacterial cell
- Cell division (mitosis and introduction to meiosis)
- Specialized cells and their functions
- Functions of cell structure
- Diffusion, osmosis, and active transport
- Structure and function of DNA
- Hierarchy: cell to organism
- Enzyme specificity and activity
- Understanding catalysts and enzymes
- Structure of DNA molecule
- DNA and classification
- Species and reproduction
- Evolutionary relationships
- Binomial system of nomenclature
- Dichotomous keys
- Kingdom classification (including five kingdoms of life)
- Natural selection and adaptation
- Understanding photosynthesis
- Role of chlorophyll in photosynthesis
- Investigating photosynthesis factors
- Structural adaptations for photosynthesis
- Leaf structure and adaptations
- Transport systems in plants (xylem, phloem)
- Transpiration and water movement in plants
- Digestive system (organs and their functions)
- Enzymatic functions in digestion
- Role of bile and hydrochloric acid in digestion
- Nutrient and water absorption
- Circulatory system (including heart anatomy, single and double circulation, blood vessels)
- Components of blood and their functions
- Clotting process
- Respiratory system (gas exchange surfaces, breathing mechanics)
- Excretory system (detailed kidney and nephron structure, liver function)
- Neuronal impulse transmission (basic understanding of nervous system functions)
- Chemical elements in carbohydrates, fats, and proteins
- Formation of large molecules
- Investigating enzyme activity
- Testing for biological molecules
- Role of water in organisms
- Pathways of water through plants
- Investigating transpiration rates and mechanisms
- Understanding pathogens and disease transmission
- Immunity, vaccination, and passive immunity
- Body defenses and disease control measures
- Functions of blood components
- Anatomy of the mammalian heart
- Monitoring heart activity
- Investigating the impact of physical activity on heart rate
- Chemical equations of respiration (aerobic and anaerobic)
- Classification of organisms in groups
- The five kingdoms of life
- Evolutionary relationships and DNA-based classification
- Binomial nomenclature and its application in classifying species
- Dichotomous keys for identifying species
- Structure of xylem vessels and their function in water transport
- Root hair cells and their role in water and nutrient absorption
- Translocation in plants, describing sources and sinks
- Investigating water pathways in plants
- Mechanism of water movement through xylem
- Effects of osmosis on plant tissue (investigating with dialysis tubing)
- Single and double circulation in animals (comparison between fish and mammals)
- Anatomy of blood vessels and their adaptations to function
- Gas exchange surfaces and their role in respiration
- Respiratory changes and structural dynamics of breathing
- Chemical equations and the role of energy in aerobic and anaerobic respiration
- Detailed structure and function of the kidney and nephron
- Excretion in humans, including the role of the liver in detoxification
- Investigating factors that influence homeostasis (e.g., temperature regulation, water balance)
- Understanding neuronal impulse transmission
- Basic structure and function of neurons
- Role of the nervous system in maintaining homeostasis and responding to stimuli
- Investigating respiration in yeast (anaerobic respiration)
- Chemical equations related to aerobic and anaerobic respiration
- Understanding muscle fatigue and its relationship with anaerobic respiration
- Investigating factors influencing diffusion and osmosis
- Investigating enzyme activity and enzyme specificity
- Investigating photosynthesis and the role of chlorophyll
- Investigating transpiration rates and water movement in plants
- Understanding and applying the magnification formula for cellular structures
Chemistry
- Constructing and balancing chemical equations
- Calculating reacting masses and proportions
- Understanding concentration units (molarity)
- The mole concept and Avogadro's constant
- Applying the mole concept to gas volumes and solutions
- Reaction of acids with metals, bases, and carbonates
- Acid dissociation and base dissociation (strong vs. weak acids/bases)
- Proton donors and acceptors
- Classifying oxides (acidic, basic, amphoteric)
- Preparing soluble salts through titration reactions
- pH indicators like litmus, thymolphthalein, and methyl orange
- Fundamentals of electrolysis and applications (electroplating)
- Advanced dynamics of electrolysis
- Hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells
- Redox reactions, oxidation numbers, and electron transfer
- Identifying oxidizing and reducing agents
- Understanding exothermic and endothermic reactions
- Collision theory and factors affecting reaction rates
- Reversible reactions and chemical equilibrium
- Factors influencing equilibrium (Le Chatelier's Principle)
- Atomic structure, mass numbers, and electron configuration
- Understanding isotopes and calculating relative atomic mass
- Ionic and covalent bonds (properties of ionic and covalent compounds)
- Metallic bonding and properties of metals
- Molecular mass and diffusion rate
- Introduction to organic molecules (alkanes, alkenes, and alcohols)
- Homologous series and functional groups
- Saturated and unsaturated compounds (alkanes vs. alkenes)
- Structural formulas, isomers, and nomenclature of organic compounds
- Formation of esters, polymers, and properties of plastics
- Formation of ionic compounds and properties of ionic bonding
- Formation of simple covalent molecules and properties of covalent bonds
- Understanding the giant covalent structures (e.g., silicon(IV) oxide, graphite, and diamond)
- Relating the structures of graphite and diamond to their uses
- Understanding metallic bonding and the structure of metals
- Basics of reversible reactions
- Chemical equilibrium in closed systems
- Introduction to fossil fuels and the structure of alkanes
- Reactivity of alkanes and substitution reactions
- Introduction to alkenes and their double bonds
- Testing for unsaturated hydrocarbons (alkenes)
- Manufacturing ethene by cracking alkanes
- Reactivity of carboxylic acids (ethanoic acid) and ester formation
- Natural polymers (e.g., proteins) and synthetic polymers (e.g., polyethylene)
- Properties and disposal of plastics
- Water composition, treatment, and testing water purity
- Investigating air pollutants and their effects
- NPK fertilizers and the role of ammonium salts in fertilizers
- Reactivity series and metal displacement reactions
- Extraction of metals (iron from blast furnace, aluminum from bauxite)
- Rusting of iron and methods for prevention (galvanizing and sacrificial protection)
- Exploring states of matter and changes in state
- Understanding solutions, mixtures, and solubility
- The role of catalysts in chemical reactions
Physics
- Scalar and vector quantities
- Measuring length, volume, time, distance, speed, temperature, mass, and weight
- Gravitational force on the surface of the Moon and Earth
- Measuring density of different materials
- Terminal velocity
- Effects of forces
- Concept of spring constant
- Resultant forces
- Circular motion and force-acceleration relationship
- Motion and friction
- Understanding momentum, impulse, and conservation of momentum
- Resultant force and momentum change
- Identifying different forms of energy
- Energy transfer and conservation
- Calculating kinetic energy
- Fundamentals of work
- Exploring energy resources (solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, biomass, fossil fuels)
- Understanding energy efficiency
- Exploring the concept of power
- Exploring the concept of pressure
- Pressure in liquids
- Exploring properties of solids, liquids, and gases
- Understanding change of state
- Particle structure and motion of matter
- Brownian motion and particle dynamics
- Pressure and particle motion in gases
- Kelvin and Celsius temperature scales
- Thermal expansion in solids, liquids, and gases
- Thermal conduction, convection, and radiation
- Measuring specific heat capacity
- Internal energy and temperature rise
- Basic concepts of waves (transverse and longitudinal)
- Reflection, refraction, and diffraction of waves
- Sound production, properties, and advanced sound concepts (including ultrasound)
- Electromagnetic spectrum regions and uses
- Health effects and communication systems
- Light reflection and refraction
- Refractive index and optical fibers
- Thin lenses and their applications
- Dispersion through a prism
- Monochromatic light
- Basics of electric charge and electrostatics
- Electric fields and field patterns
- Fundamentals and advanced concepts of electric current
- EMF and potential difference (PD)
- Understanding and measuring resistance
- Series and parallel circuits
- Electrical energy transfer and power calculations
- Circuit diagrams and components (including diodes and LEDs)
- Investigating the impact of physical activity on heart rate
- Variable potential dividers
- Basic concepts and practical applications of magnetism
- Electromagnetic induction (including quantitative aspects)
- Understanding impulse and its relation to momentum
- Conservation of momentum in different scenarios
- Complex energy conservation scenarios
- Application of the principle of moments to equilibrium and stability in systems
- Center of gravity and finding the center of gravity in irregular objects
- Detailed exploration of energy resources, including renewable and non-renewable sources
- Complex applications of thermal energy transfer
- Understanding electrical hazards, wiring, and protection devices
- Directionality and quantitative aspects of induction in electromagnetic systems