Science Standards adopted by NCDPI July 2023
Strand: Earth’s Systems
ESS.7.1 Understand the atmosphere and how the cycling of water relates to Earth’s weather and climate.
ESS.7.1.1 Analyze and interpret data to compare the composition, properties and
structure of Earth’s atmosphere to include: mixtures of gases and differences in
temperature and pressure within layers.
ESS.7.1.2 Use models to explain how the energy of the Sun and Earth’s gravity drive
the cycling of water, including changes of state, as it moves through multiple
pathways in Earth’s systems and relates to weather patterns on Earth.
ESS.7.1.3 Analyze and interpret data to explain the relationship between the
movement of air masses, high and low pressure systems, frontal boundaries and
weather conditions that may result.
ESS.7.1.4 Use models to predict weather conditions based on observations
(including clouds, air masses, fronts), measurements (wind speed and direction, air
temperature, humidity and air pressure), weather maps, satellites and radar.
ESS.7.1.5 Use models to explain the influence of convection, global winds, and the
jet stream on weather and climatic conditions.
Strand: Earth and Human Activity
ESS.7.2 Understand the reciprocal relationship between the atmosphere and humans.
ESS.7.2.1 Engage in argument from evidence to explain that the good health of
humans and environment requires: monitoring of the atmosphere, maintaining air
quality and stewardship.
ESS.7.2.2 Analyze and interpret data to explain how changes in the structure and
composition of the atmosphere affects the greenhouse effect and global
temperatures.
ESS.7.2.3 Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to explain the impacts on
humans and mitigation strategies of potentially hazardous environmental factors
(including air quality index, UV index, Heat Index, Wildfires) and storms (hurricanes,
blizzards, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, floods).
Strand: From Molecules to Organisms- Structures and Processes
LS.7.1 Understand the processes, structures and functions of living organisms that enable them to survive, reproduce and carry out the basic functions of life.
LS.7.1.1 Construct an explanation to conclude how the structures of single-celled
organisms carry out all of the basic functions of life including: Euglena, Amoeba,
Paramecium, Volvox.
LS.7.1.2 Use models to explain how the relevant structures within cells (including cell
membrane, cell wall, nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplasts, and vacuoles) function to
support the life of plant, animal, and bacterial cells.
LS.7.1.3 Use models to explain how the hierarchical organization of multicellular
organisms from cells to tissues to organs to systems to organisms functions to
support life.
LS.7.1.4 Construct an explanation to summarize how the major systems of the
human body interact with each other to support life (including digestion, respiration,
reproduction, circulation, excretion, nervous).
Strand: Heredity- Inheritance and Variation of Traits
LS.7.2 Understand the relationship of the mechanisms of reproduction, patterns of inheritance,
and potential variation among offspring.
LS.7.2.1 Construct an explanation supported with scientific evidence to summarize
the role of genes on chromosomes as inherited cellular structures which contribute to
an organism's traits (not to include the structure of DNA).
LS.7.2.2 Use models to explain how asexual reproduction results in offspring with
identical genetic information while sexual reproduction results in offspring with
genetic variation (not to include specific phases of mitosis and meiosis).
LS.7.2.3 Use models (Punnett squares) to infer and predict patterns of the
inheritance of single genetic traits from parent to offspring (including dominant and
recessive traits).
Strand: Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions
PS.7.1 Understand motion, the effects of forces on motion, and the graphical representations of motion.
PS.7.1.1 Construct an explanation to summarize the motion of an object by its
position, direction of motion, and speed in respect to some other object.
PS.7.1.2 Use models to illustrate the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces
acting on an object (including friction, gravity, and magnetism).
PS.7.1.3 Analyze and interpret graphical data to summarize the motion of an object
to show a change in position over a period of time.
PS.7.1.4 Analyze and interpret graphical data to summarize the motion of an object
to show a change in distance over a period of time for constant speed and variable
motion.
Strand: Energy
PS.7.2 Understand forms of energy, energy transfer and transformation, and conservation in mechanical systems.
PS.7.2.1 Construct an explanation to summarize how kinetic and potential energy
contribute to the mechanical energy of an object.
PS.7.2.2 Engage in argument from evidence to explain how energy can be
transformed from one form to another, specifically potential energy and kinetic energy
(models could include roller coasters, pendulums, or cars on ramps as examples).
PS.7.2.3 Carry out investigations to conclude that energy can be transferred from
one system to another when two objects push or pull on each other over a distance
(work) in a mechanical system using qualitative data.
PS.7.2.4 Carry out investigations to compare the efficiency of simple machines in
relation to their advantages for particular purposes (to include inclined planes,
pulleys, levers and wheel and axles) using qualitative data.
7th Grade Science Standards Prior Years
Forces and Motion
7.P.1 Understand motion, the effects of forces on motion and the graphical representations of motion.
7.P.1.1
Explain how the motion of an object can be described by its position,
direction of motion, and speed with respect to some other object.
7.P.1.2
Explain the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces acting on an object
(including friction, gravity and magnets).
7.P.1.3
Illustrate the motion of an object using a graph to show
a change in position over a period of time.
7.P.1.4
Interpret distance versus time graphs for
constant speed and variable motion.
Energy: Conservation and Transfer
7.P.2 Understand forms of energy, energy transfer and transformation and conservation in mechanical systems.
7.P.2.1
Explain how kinetic and potential energy contribute
to the mechanical energy of an object.
7.P.2.2
Explain how energy can be transformed from one form to another
(specifically potential energy and kinetic energy) using a model
or diagram of a moving object
(roller coaster, pendulum, or cars on ramps as examples).
7.P.2.3
Recognize that energy can be transferred from one system to another
when two objects push or pull on each other over a distance (work)
and electrical circuits require a complete loop
through which an electrical current can pass.
7.P.2.4
Explain how simple machines such as inclined planes, pulleys, levers
and wheel and axels are used to create mechanical advantage
and increase efficiency.
Earth Systems, Structures and Processes
7.E.1 Understand how the cycling of matter (water and gases) in and out of the atmosphere relates to Earth’s atmosphere, weather and climate and the effects of the atmosphere on humans.
7.E.1.1
Compare the composition, properties and structure of Earth’s atmosphere to include: mixtures of gases and differences in temperature and pressure within layers.
7.E.1.2
Explain how the cycling of water in and out of the atmosphere
and atmospheric conditions relate to the weather patterns on Earth.
7.E.1.3
Explain the relationship between the movement of air masses, high and low pressure systems, and frontal boundaries to storms (including thunderstorms, hurricanes, and tornadoes) and other weather conditions that may result.
7.E.1.4
Predict weather conditions and patterns based on information obtained from:
Weather data collected from direct observations and measurement (wind speed and direction, air temperature, humidity and air pressure)
Weather maps, satellites and radar
Cloud shapes and types and associated elevation
7.E.1.5
Explain the influence of convection, global winds and the
jet stream on weather and climatic conditions.
7.E.1.6
Conclude that the good health of humans requires: monitoring the
atmosphere, maintaining air quality and stewardship.
Structures and Functions of Living Organisms
7.L.1 Understand the processes, structures and functions of living organisms that enable them to survive, reproduce and carry out the basic functions of life.
7.L.1.1
Compare the structures and life functions of single-celled organisms
that carry out all of the basic functions of life including:
Euglena
Amoeba
Paramecium
Volvox
7.L.1.2
Compare the structures and functions of plant and animal cells, including major organelles
(cell membrane, cell wall, nucleus, chloroplasts, mitochondria, and vacuoles).
7.L.1.3
Summarize the hierarchical organization of multi-cellular organisms
from cells to tissues to organs to systems to organisms.
7.L.1.4
Summarize the general functions of the major systems of the human body
(digestion, respiration, reproduction, circulation, and excretion) and ways that
these systems interact with each other to sustain life.
Evolution and Genetics
7.L.2 Understand the relationship of the mechanisms of cellular reproduction, patterns of inheritance and external factors to potential variation among offspring.
7.L.2.1
Explain why offspring that result from sexual reproduction (fertilization and meiosis)
have greater variation than offspring that result from asexual reproduction (budding and mitosis).
7.L.2.2
Infer patterns of heredity using information from Punnett squares and pedigree analysis.
7.L.2.3
Explain the impact of the environment and lifestyle choices on biological inheritance
(to include common genetic diseases) and survival.