7th grade standards

Performance Expectations from the Next Generation Science Standards assessed in 7th Grade

life science

  • Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.

  • Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms.

physical science

  • 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 object.

  • Apply Newton’s Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects.

  • 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.

  • Develop a model to describe that when the arrangement of objects interacting at a distance changes, different amounts of potential energy are stored in the system.

  • Plan an investigation to determine the relationships among the energy transferred, the type of matter, the mass, and the change in the average kinetic energy of the particles as measured by the temperature of the sample.

  • Construct, use, and present arguments to support the claim that when the kinetic energy of an object changes, energy is transferred to or from the object.

  • Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials.

  • Ask questions about data to determine the factors that affect the strength of electric and magnetic forces.

earth science

  • 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.

  • Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system.

  • Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.


Engineering Design

  • Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.

  • Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

  • Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success.

  • Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved.

literacy standards

  • Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 6-8 texts and topics.

  • Analyze the author's claim in providing an explanation, describing a procedure, or discussing an experiment in a text.

  • Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts.

  • Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; provide an accurate summary of the text distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.