Embedded Files
Grades K-5 Science Curriculum adopted April 5, 2016
Grades 6-12 Science Curriculum adopted June 4, 2024
Philosophy & Mission Statement
Philosophy & Mission Statement
Graduates will be
critical thinkers who use evidence-based reasoning, and who have a duty to the natural world and their society.
Standards Alignment
Standards Alignment
This Science Curriculum is aligned to the Alaska Science Standards adopted in 2019, which are largely the same as the national Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The Alaska Science Standards provide a foundation for defining what students should know and be able to do in terms of scientific knowledge and skills. (https://education.alaska.gov/akstandards/science/science-standards-for-alaska.pdf)
Science Standards for Alaska Disciplinary Core Ideas
Science Standards for Alaska Disciplinary Core Ideas
Physical Sciences
Physical Sciences
PS1: Matter and its interactions
PS2: Motion and stability: Forces and interactions
PS3: Energy
PS4: Waves and their applications in technologies for information transfer
Earth and Space Sciences
Earth and Space Sciences
ESS1: Earth’s place in the universe ESS2: Earth’s systems
ESS3: Earth and human activity
Life Sciences
Life Sciences
LS1: From molecules to organisms: Structures and processes
LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, energy, and dynamics
LS3: Heredity: Inheritance and variation of traits
LS4: Biological evolution: Unity and diversity
Engineering, Technology, Applications of Science
Engineering, Technology, Applications of Science
ETS1: Engineering design
Grades K-5 Acknowledgements (adopted 2016)
Grades K-5 Acknowledgements (adopted 2016)
REVISERS
Elizabeth Beks – North Pole High
Holly Debenham – Ryan Middle
Dawn Fitzpatrick – West Valley High
Carri Forbes – Tanana Middle
Michelle Heminger – North Pole Middle
Laurie Hueffer – Woodriver Elementary
Greg Kahoe – West Valley High
Amana Macomber – North Pole Elementary
Rebecca Missler – North Pole High
Rene Parsley – Lathrop High
Kristine Rosevear – North Pole Elementary
Roseanne Sample – Hunter Elementary
Kim Wallingford – University Park Elementary
Curriculum Department
Melanie Hadaway – Curriculum Director
Michelle Daml – Curriculum Coordinator
Kimberly Gatto – Materials Development Specialist
ADDITIONAL RECOGNITION
We would also like to recognize the Board Curriculum Advisory Committee, the Fairbanks North Star Borough Board of Education and the many teachers, administrators, parents, and community members who have so willingly given of their time and expertise in the planning and revision process of this document.
Grades 6-12 Acknowledgements (adopted 2024)
Grades 6-12 Acknowledgements (adopted 2024)
Science Researchers
Grades 6-12 science teachers met during professional development in August of 2022 to discuss and begin the research for science curriculum.
Science Curriculum Writers
Chris Ballek – North Pole High School
Elizabeth Beks – North Pole High School
Tara DeVaughn – Teaching & Learning
Dawn Fitzpatrick – Career Education Center
Ron Metzner – Lathrop High School
Rachel Reilly – Teaching & Learning (2022-23)
Ben Weaver – West Valley High School
Lori Werdin – Lathrop High School
Department of Teaching and Learning
Chane Beam – Executive Director of Teaching and Learning
Tara DeVaughn – Curriculum Coordinator
Rachel Reilly – Curriculum Coordinator (2022-2023 school year)
Jennifer Morgan – Materials Development Specialist
We would also like to recognize
The Board Curriculum Committee, the Fairbanks North Star Board of Education, and the many teachers, administrators, parents, and community members who have provided input during the curriculum revision process.
Archive Courses
Archive Courses
The following courses have been removed from the science curriculum and archived. If a teacher or school is interested in offering one of these courses in the future, they must fill out a pilot proposal form by the deadline listed at www.k12northstar.org/Page/8841; the course may be offered, pending Teaching and Learning and superintendent approval. If the school would like to look at the old curriculum for the course, contact Teaching and Learning at teachingandlearning@k12northstar.org or (907) 452-2000 ext. 11422.
Archived courses:
Astrobiology
Chem Tech
Conceptual Physics
Microbiology
Natural Resources: Biology
Natural Resources: Physical Science
Explanation of Terms
Explanation of Terms
Alaska Science Standards
Science Standards were adopted by the State Board of Education in 2019. These are general statements of what Alaskans want students to know and be able to do as a result of their public school experience. https://education.alaska.gov/standards
Alaska Cultural Standards
Standards endorsed by the State Board of Education that serve to encourage enrichment of the content standards. They are used as a guide to ensure that schools are aware of and sensitive to their surrounding physical and cultural environments. https://education.alaska.gov/akstandards/#c3gtabs-cultural
Objectives
Statements that document specific, essential tasks students are expected to accomplish in a given grade level or course.
Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum (GVC)
A guaranteed and viable curriculum is one that guarantees equal opportunity for learning for all students. Similarly, it guarantees adequate time for teachers to teach content and for students to learn it. A guaranteed and viable curriculum is one that ensures that the curriculum being taught is the curriculum being assessed. It is viable when adequate time is ensured to teach all determined essential content.
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