Grade Level: Grade 7

Energy and Matter Flow Through an Ecosystem

Concepts
Energy and Matter

Enduring Understandings
Energy can be transformed from one form to another in an ecosystem.
Biotic and abiotic factors influence Connecticut ecosystems.

Skills
1.  Identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigation.
2.  Read, interpret and examine the credibility f scientific claims in different sources of information.
3.  Design and conduct appropriate types of scientific investigations to answer different questions.
4.  Identify dependent and independent variables, and those variables that are kept constant when designing an experiment.
5.  Use appropriate tools and techniques to make observations and gather data.
6.  Use mathematical operations to analyze and interpret data.
7.  Identify and present relationships between variables in appropriate graphs.
8.  Draw conclusions and identify sources of error.
9.  Provide explanations to investigated problems or questions.
10. Communicate about science in different formats, using relevant science vocabulary, supporting evidence, and clear logic.

Heredity and Evolution

Concepts
Evolution and Equilibrium

Enduring Understandings
1.  An organism's traits are controlled by alleles.
2.  An organism's genotype is inherited from its parents.
3.  Genetic mutations may alter an organism.
4.  An organism's environment may alter its physical characteristics.

Skills
1.  Identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigation.
2.  Read, interpret and examine the credibility f scientific claims in different sources of information.
3.  Design and conduct appropriate types of scientific investigations to answer different questions.
4.  Identify dependent and independent variables, and those variables that are kept constant when designing an experiment.
5.  Use appropriate tools and techniques to make observations and gather data.
6.  Use mathematical operations to analyze and interpret data.
7.  Identify and present relationships between variables in appropriate graphs.
8.  Draw conclusions and identify sources of error.
9.  Provide explanations to investigated problems or questions.
10. Communicate about science in different formats, using relevant science vocabulary, supporting evidence, and clear logic.

Structure and Function of Organisms

Concepts
Form and Function

Enduring Understandings
1.  Organelles within a cell work collectively to support activities which maintain homeostasis.
2.  Cells need a continual supply of energy to perform work and life functions.
3.  The movement of materials across a cell membrane maintains a dynamic internal balance.
4.  The organization of cells into tissues, organs, and systems allows for the division of labor.
5.  Human organ systems including the digestion, respiration and circulatory systems obtain, distribute and excrete materials involved in cellular aerobic respiration.
6.  The human muscular-skeletal system supports the body and allows for movement.

Skills
1.  Identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigation.
2.  Read, interpret and examine the credibility f scientific claims in different sources of information.
3.  Design and conduct appropriate types of scientific investigations to answer different questions.
4.  Identify dependent and independent variables, and those variables that are kept constant when designing an experiment.
5.  Use appropriate tools and techniques to make observations and gather data.
6.  Use mathematical operations to analyze and interpret data.
7.  Identify and present relationships between variables in appropriate graphs.
8.  Draw conclusions and identify sources of error.
9.  Provide explanations to investigated problems or questions.
10. Communicate about science in different formats, using relevant science vocabulary, supporting evidence, and clear logic.

Effects of Human Activity on the Connecticut Watershed

Concepts
STS (Save the Sound)

Enduring Understandings
Human activities change the dynamic equilibrium of an aquatic ecosystem.

Skills
1.  Identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigation.
2.  Read, interpret and examine the credibility f scientific claims in different sources of information.
3.  Design and conduct appropriate types of scientific investigations to answer different questions.
4.  Identify dependent and independent variables, and those variables that are kept constant when designing an experiment.
5.  Use appropriate tools and techniques to make observations and gather data.
6.  Use mathematical operations to analyze and interpret data.
7.  Identify and present relationships between variables in appropriate graphs.
8.  Draw conclusions and identify sources of error.
9.  Provide explanations to investigated problems or questions.
10. Communicate about science in different formats, using relevant science vocabulary, supporting evidence, and clear logic.

Food Preservation

Concepts
STS

Enduring Understandings
Growing populations require increased food production.
Food preservation prevents or deters microbial activity.

Skills
1.  Identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigation.
2.  Read, interpret and examine the credibility f scientific claims in different sources of information.
3.  Design and conduct appropriate types of scientific investigations to answer different questions.
4.  Identify dependent and independent variables, and those variables that are kept constant when designing an experiment.
5.  Use appropriate tools and techniques to make observations and gather data.
6.  Use mathematical operations to analyze and interpret data.
7.  Identify and present relationships between variables in appropriate graphs.
8.  Draw conclusions and identify sources of error.
9.  Provide explanations to investigated problems or questions.
10. Communicate about science in different formats, using relevant science vocabulary, supporting evidence, and clear logic.