➢ Explain the various ways igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks form. ➢ Understand soil is made of unconsolidated material that contains nutrient matter and weathered rock. ➢ Identify practical and common uses of rocks, minerals and soils. ➢ Trace the hydrologic cycle as illustrating the changing states of water as it moves through the lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere. ➢ Explore how thermal energy transfers in the ocean and the atmosphere contribute to the formation of currents, which influence global climate patterns. ➢ Identify different properties of the atmosphere at different elevations and how the atmosphere contains a mixture of gases that cycle through the lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere. ➢ Explore the relative patterns of motion and positions of the Earth, moon and sun cause solar and lunar eclipses, tides and phases of the moon. ➢ Explain the effect of the composition and properties of Earth’s interior in relationship to the behavior of seismic waves. ➢ Explore the combination of constructive and destructive geologic processes that formed Earth’s surfaces. ➢ Use the geologic record to show evidence of the dynamic changes of Earth’s surface through time. Science and Technology ➢ Demonstrate and apply examples of relationships between science and technology. ➢ Operate within a Christian perspective and ethical framework to articulate ethical issues related to technology use. ➢ Acquire, analyze, and communicate information using technology. ➢ Engage in problem-solving applying a design solution or build a product where constraints exist.
By close of grade 12, Upper School students will work to build the following skills in science: Life Science 7 ➢ Observe and research how organisms perform a variety of roles in an ecosystem. ➢ All of the processes that take place within organisms require energy. ➢ Explore and understand that cells are the fundamental unit of life. ➢ Explore how all cells come from pre-existing cells. ➢ Explain specific functions of cells that sustain life. ➢ Demonstrate understanding that living systems at all levels of organization demonstrate the complementary nature of structure and function. ➢ Explain that matter is transferred continuously between one organism to another and between organisms and their physical environments. ➢ Investigate how in any particular biome, the number, growth and survival of organisms and populations depend on biotic and abiotic factors. ➢ Explore the theory that diversity of species occurs through gradual processes over many generations.
Back to Table of Contents