Next Generation Scientists

Unit: Energy Flow and Cycles of Matter Test Unit Goal: SWBAT analyze the cycling of matter and energy flow among abiotic and biotic components of an ecosystem. NGSS Performance Expectations Addressed: MS-LS1-6 Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms. MS-LS2-3 Develop a model to describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy among living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem. Th

Unit: Relationship Between Earth, Sun, and Moon Unit Goal: SWBAT model the relationship between the Earth, the sun, and the moon. Unit Puzzling Phenomenon: Solar Eclipses NGSS Performance Expectations Addressed: MS-ESS1-1 (Develop and use a model of the Earth-sun-moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the sun and moon, and seasons.) This test includes multiple choice, short answer, and long answer questions. The questions are a mix of straightforward and

Unit: Properties and States of Matter Unit Goal: SWBAT model changes in particle motion for various forms and states of matter during physical changes. Unit Puzzling Phenomenon: Dancing cornstarch NGSS Performance Expectations Addressed: MS-PS1-4 Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of a pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed. MS-PS3-4 Plan an investigation to determine the relationships among the energy transferred, th

This student project document provides students with an environmental engineering design challenge- designing a water filter. Beginning with an introduction to environmental engineering and the engineering design process, students are then introduced to the design challenge. Through a series of scaffolded questions, students are led through the steps of ask, imagine, plan, create, and improve. This project takes 4-5 days if each day focuses on one step in the engineering design process. (Imagi

Unit: Characteristics and Applications of Waves Unit Goal: SWBAT analyze the behavior of mechanical and electromagnetic waves. Unit Puzzling Phenomenon: Breaking glass using sound NGSS Performance Expectations Addressed: MS-PS4-1 Use mathematical representations to describe a simple model for waves that includes how the amplitude of a wave is related to the energy in a wave. MS-PS4-2 Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materi

Unit: Impact of Weather and Climate on Life Unit Goal: SWBAT create models to describe the impact of the hydrosphere and atmosphere on Earth. Unit Puzzling Phenomenon: https://www.ngssphenomena.com/statue-of-lightning/ NGSS Performance Expectations Addressed: MS-ESS2-4 Develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth's systems driven by energy from the sun and the force of gravity. MS-ESS2-5 Collect data to provide evidence for how the motions and complex interactions of air ma

Unit: Characteristics and Applications of Waves Unit Goal: SWBAT analyze the behavior of mechanical and electromagnetic waves. Unit Puzzling Phenomenon: Breaking glass using sound NGSS Performance Expectations Addressed: MS-PS4-1 Use mathematical representations to describe a simple model for waves that includes how the amplitude of a wave is related to the energy in a wave. MS-PS4-2 Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materi

Unit: Categorizing Geology and Components of the Geosphere Unit Goal: SWBAT categorize rocks, minerals, and fossils based on their composition and location. Unit Puzzling Phenomenon: Columnar Basalt NGSS Performance Expectations Addressed: MS-ESS1-4 Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence from rock strata for how the geologic time scale is used to organize Earth's 4.6-billion-year-old history. MS-ESS3-1 Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how the uneven dist

Unit: Molecular Basis of Life (DNA) Unit Goal: SWBAT use models to describe the central dogma of genetics, DNA structure, and mutations. Unit Puzzling Phenomenon: Bioluminescence NGSS Performance Expectations Addressed: MS-LS1-5 Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms. MS-LS3-1 Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) located on chromosomes may affect proteins and m

Unit: Chemical Reaction Conservation Laws Test Unit Goal: SWBAT analyze chemical reactions in relation to the laws of Conservation of Matter and Conservation of Energy. Unit Puzzling Phenomenon: Iodine and magnesium reaction NGSS Performance Expectations Addressed: MS-PS1-2 Analyze and interpret data on the properties of substances before and after the substances interact to determine if a chemical reaction has occurred. MS-PS1-5 Develop and use a model to describe how the total number of ato

Unit: Forms and Transfer of Energy Unit Goal: SWBAT analyze energy transfers and transformations. Unit Puzzling Phenomenon: Newton's Cradle NGSS Performance Expectations Addressed: MS-PS3-1 Construct and interpret graphical displays of data to describe the relationships of kinetic energy to the mass of an object and to the speed of an object. MS-PS3-2 Develop a model to describe that when the arrangement of objects interacting at a distance changes, different amounts of potential energy are

Unit: Ecosystem Dynamics Unit Goal: SWBAT apply patterns of interactions between organisms and the biotic environment. Unit Puzzling Phenomenon: Fairy rings NGSS Performance Expectations Addressed: MS-LS2-1 Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem. MS-LS2-2 Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms across multiple ecosystems. MS-LS2-4 Construct an argu

Unit: Earth’s Place in the Universe Unit Goal: SWBAT model the relationship between Earth and different celestial bodies, including galaxies and stars. Unit Puzzling Phenomenon: https://www.ngssphenomena.com/jupiter-asteroids/ NGSS Performance Expectations Addressed: MS-ESS1-2 (Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the motions within galaxies and the solar system.) This test includes multiple choice, short answer, and long answer questions. The questions are a mix of s

This outline is to be used in conjunction with ALEKS. Using the CA Common Core Curriculum for 6th grade on ALEKS, each topic is sorted into a unit (with unit goal) and then a lesson within the unit. Additional resources are provided including links to youtube lessons, project documents, and journal entry prompts. This was implemented in a blended learning classroom.

This outline is to be used in conjunction with ALEKS. Using the CA Common Core Curriculum for 7th grade on ALEKS, each topic is sorted into a unit (with unit goal) and then a lesson within the unit. Additional resources are provided including links to youtube lessons, project documents, and journal entry prompts. This was implemented in a blended learning classroom.

Unit: Inheritance Unit Goal: SWBAT make predictions about allele inheritance patterns. Unit Puzzling Phenomenon: Inheritance patterns NGSS Performance Expectations Addressed: MS-LS3-2 Develop and use a model to describe why asexual reproduction results in offspring with identical genetic information and sexual reproduction results in offspring with genetic variation. MS-LS4-5 Gather and synthesize information about the technologies that have changed the way humans influence the inheritance of

Unit: Force and its Effect on Motion Unit Goal: SWBAT apply Newton’s Laws to predict and describe the motion of objects in motion and at rest. Unit Puzzling Phenomenon: Falling slinky NGSS Performance Expectations Addressed: MS-PS2-1 Apply Newton's Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects. MS-PS2-2 Plan an investigation to provide evidence that the change in an object's motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the o

Unit: Cell Structure and Function Unit Goal: SWBAT categorize cells based on their organelles, structures, and functions. Unit Puzzling Phenomenon: Cork cells NGSS Performance Expectations Addressed: MS-LS1-1 Conduct an investigation to provide evidence that living things are made of cells. MS-LS1-2 Develop and use a model to describe the function of a cell as a whole and ways parts of the cells contribute to its function. This test includes multiple choice, matching, labeling, and short a

Unit: Unity and Diversity of Life Unit Goal: SWBAT use physical and behavioral characteristics to classify organisms into several taxa. Unit Puzzling Phenomenon: Diversity of living organisms NGSS Performance Expectations Addressed: MS-LS4-1 (Analyze and interpret data for patterns in the fossil record that document the existence, diversity, extinction, and change of life forms throughout the history of life of Earth under the assumption that natural laws operate today as in the past.) Thi

Unit: Properties of Elements, Compounds, and Implications of the Periodic Table Unit Goal: SWBAT predict properties of elements and their interactions based on location in the Periodic Table. Unit Puzzling Phenomenon: Orange peel popping balloon NGSS Performance Expectations Addressed: MS-PS1-1 Develop models to describe the atomic composition of simple molecules and extended structures. This test includes multiple choice, matching, short answer, and long answer questions. The questions ar