Standards

Science and Mathematics Academic Content Standards
Benchmarks - Grade Level Indicators Addressed in Video and Related Activities:

 

Grade 7 Life Science Standards:  Diversity and Interdependence of Life

Benchmark C

Explain how energy entering the ecosystems as sunlight supports the life of organisms through photosynthesis and the transfer of energy through the interactions of organisms and the environment.

Grade Level Indicators 2, 3, 4, 6, 7

2. Investigate how organisms or populations may interact with one another through symbiotic relationships and how some species have become so adapted to each other that neither could survive without the other (e.g., predator-prey, parasitism).

3. Explain how the number of organisms an ecosystem can support depends on adequate biotic (living) resources (e.g., plants, animals) and abiotic (non-living) resources (e.g., light, water, soil).

4. Investigate how overpopulation impacts an ecosystem.

6. Summarize the ways that natural occurrences and human activity affect the transfer of energy in Earth's ecosystems (e.g., fire, hurricanes, roads, oil spills).

7. Explain that photosynthetic cells convert solar energy into chemical energy that is used to carry on life functions or is transferred to consumers and used to carry on their life functions.

Grade 7 Mathematics Standards: Patterns, functions and Algebra

Students use patterns, relations and functions to model, represent and analyze problem situations that involve variable quantities. Students analyze, model and solve problems using various representations such as tables, graphs and equations.

Benchmark F

Use representations, such as tables, graphs and equations, to model situations and to solve problems, especially those that involve linear relationships.

Grade Level Indicators 1

1.Represent and analyze patterns, rules and functions with words, tables, graphs and simple variable expressions.

Grade 7 Mathematics Standards: Data Analysis and Probability

Students pose questions and collect, organize, represent, interpret and analyze data to answer those questions. Students develop and evaluate inferences, predictions and arguments that are based on data.

Benchmark E

Collect, organize, display and interpret data for a specific purpose or need.

Grade Level Indicators 4 and 5

4. Construct opposing arguments based on analysis of the same data, using different graphical representations.

5. Compare data from two or more samples to determine how sample selection and influence results.

Science and Mathematics Standards
Addressed through Suggested Teacher Interaction with Students

 

Science and Technology

Students should recognize that science and technology are interconnected and that using technology involves assessment of the benefits, risks, and costs. Students should build scientific and technological knowledge, as well as the skill required to design and construct devices. In addition, they should develop the processes to solve problems and to understand that problems may be solved in several ways.

Scientific Inquiry

Students develop scientific habits of mind as they use the processes of scientific inquiry to ask valid questions, and to gather and analyze information. They understand how to develop hypotheses and make predictions. They are able to reflect on scientific practices as they develop plans of action to create and evaluate a variety of conclusions. Students are also able to demonstrate the ability to communicate their findings to others.

Scientific Ways of Knowing

Students realize that the current body of scientific knowledge must be based on evidence, be predictive, logical, subject to modification, and limited to the natural world. This includes demonstrating an understanding that scientific knowledge grows and advances as new evidence, is discovered to support or modify existing theories, as well as to encourage the development of new theories. Students are able to reflect on ethical scientific practices and demonstrate an understanding of how the current body of scientific knowledge reflects the historical and cultural contributions of women and men who provide us with a more reliable and comprehensive understanding of the natural world.

Mathematical Processes

Students use mathematical processes and knowledge to solve problems. Students apply problem-solving and decision-making techniques, and communicate mathematical ideas.