Science Lesson Plans

Describe the indicators for a chemical reaction as color change, the formation of a precipitate, the release of gas, and or odor, or a change in temperature.

Identify common acids, bases, and salts (e.g., hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, and saline solution) using different indicators.

Explain how homeostasis is maintained through various feedback mechanisms, both positive and negative.

Describe homeostasis as a state of balance among all the body systems in humans that needs to be maintained for survival and proper functioning; its indicators include body temperature, glucose level, and blood pressure.

Describe important types of chemical reactions (combination, decomposition, single replacement, double replacement).

Explain how important types of chemical reactions, such as combustion, acids on metals, acids on carbonates, photosynthesis, and respiration, relate to or impact the natural and built environments using information from secondary sources.

Apply the principles of conservation of mass to balance chemical equations.

Recognize that scientists: a. use chemical equations to describe chemical reactions, and b. write equations in word form and use formulas for common chemical reactions.

Explain that chemical equations demonstrate a rearrangement of atoms but the total mass of the system remains the same during a chemical reaction.

Identify that chemical reactions may be exothermic or endothermic.

Explain the factors affecting the rates of chemical reactions as applied in food preservation and materials production, control of fire, pollution, and corrosion.

Discuss in small groups important concepts in the theories of evolution, such as variation, heredity, isolation, selection, and adaptation.

Use information from secondary sources to describe natural selection as the primary mechanism driving evolutionary change.

Use information from secondary sources to explain how lines of evidence, such as fossils, biogeography, and comparative morphology, support the occurrence of evolution.

Egg Protection Vehicle Drop Challenge – Design and build a vehicle and use it to save a raw egg from breaking after falling from a height of 3 meters.

Local Vehicular Accident Risk Survey and Road-Safety Recommendations – Conduct a survey of recent vehicular accidents in a local area and identify a high-risk spot; suggest ways to minimize or avoid collisions in that area.