7th Grade Science
7th Grade Science
Year at a Glance
The science standards at the middle school build upon the foundation for students to work as scientists by asking testable questions, collecting and analyzing different types of evidence, and by providing rationale for their interpretations through reasoning and/or argumentation. Mastery of these standards will result in students deepening their understanding of science through an application and development of scientific knowledge to the solution of practical problems. Students will experience all three “strands” of the science standards during their middle school years: physical science, life science, and earth science. The evidence outcomes in middle school blend the core ideas they learn the course with scientific and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts to support students in developing usable knowledge across three science disciplines. Students will address the following over the course of their 7th Grade experience:
Physical Science: Grade level expectations in 7th Grade physical science are focused in two areas: (1) Energy, (2) Waves and Their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer.
Life Science: Grade level expectations in 7th Grade life science are focused in four areas: 1) From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes, 2) Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics, 3) Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits, 4) Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity.
Earth and Space Science: Grade level expectations in 7th Grade Earth and Space Science are focused in two areas: (1) Earth’s Systems, (2) Earth and Human Activity.
Recommended Unit Sequence & Pacing
The Colorado Academic Standards for Middle School Science are banded 6th through 8th grades, meaning districts can chose to introduce those standards in any order at any grade level. In St. Vrain, the Science Leadership Committee used the recommended NGSS sequencing and took into consideration preparation for the CMAS Exam to develop the recommended unit sequence for 7th grade below. The unit pacing is based off of 60 minute class periods and should be adjusted accordingly based on your school's schedule.
Introduction to the Nature of Science 8 Instructional Days
Unit 1: Cells to Organisms (Discovery Education Unit: Healing Cut) 36 Instructional Days
Unit 2: Growth and Development (Discovery Education Unit: Hawaiian Flies) 28 Instructional Days
Unit 3: Geologic Time / Natural Selection (Discovery Education Unit: Mystery Fossil) 20 Instructional Days
Unit 4: History of Earth (Discovery Education Unit: Puerto Rico Earthquake) 28 Instructional Days
Unit 5: Weather (Discovery Education Unit: Superstorm of 1993) 26 Instructional Days
Unit 6: Climate (Discovery Education Unit: Dogsled Race) 26 Instructional Days
Expectations for Students in Earth Science
Examine how we can use rock strata and the fossil record to organize the relative order of historical events in Earth’s history.
Recognize that plate tectonics is the unifying theory that explains movements of rocks at Earth’s surface and geological history.
Understand energy flows and matter cycles within and among Earth’s systems, including the sun and Earth’s interior as primary energy sources. Study the water cycle, and how changes the properties of water and movement of water impact Earth’s systems.
Describe the complex interactions that determine local weather patterns and influence climate, including the role of the ocean.
Describe how humans depend on the Earth for different resources, and analyze how human activities have impacted Earth’s biosphere and climate. Map the history of natural hazards in a region and understand related geological forces.
Evaluate ways to reduce the impact of global warming.
Developing models to describe the cycling of water through Earth’s systems and to describe the processes that determine regional climates.
Constructing explanations based on evidence for how geoscience processes (e.g., earthquakes, volcanoes, etc.) have changed Earth’s surface.
Analyzing and interpreting data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.
Constructing an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth’s systems, and applying scientific principles to design a method for minimizing human impact on the environment
Expectations for Students in Life Science
Recognize that all living things are made of cells, and that sustaining life requires substantial energy and matter inputs. Describe how sense receptors respond to different stimuli, and how they transmit signals to the brain.
Understand that organisms reproduce and transfer their genetic information to their offspring, and that there are processes by which characteristics or traits are passed from one generation to another.
Recognize that ecosystems are dynamic in nature, and are sustained by a continuous flow of energy that originates primarily from the sun. Analyze how organisms and populations of plants and animals in ecosystems are dependent on environmental interactions with living and nonliving things, and that variations in populations of organisms is beneficial for their survival and reproduction in an environment.
Describe how fossils and fossil records can be used to understand the changes that have occurred over time.
Gathering information and conducting investigations to support explanations about the structure and function relationship of cells, the role of cells in body systems, and to understand how these systems work to support life.
Constructing explanations based on evidence (e.g., fossil records, complexity of anatomical traits, etc.) to support fundamental understandings of natural selection and evolution. Students will use ideas of genetic variation in a population to make sense of organisms surviving and reproducing, hence passing on the traits of the species.
Applying multiple practices to gain a deeper understanding of natural resources and the cycling of matter and the flow of energy in ecosystems. Studying patterns of the interactions among organisms within an ecosystem and examining the impact that shifts in biotic and abiotic factors have on the populations of organisms.
Evaluating competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services like water purification, recycling, or prevention of erosion.
Expectations for Students in Physical Science
Explain how motion is described and how the mass and force influence motion, as part of this analyze interactions and energy transfer between two objects in motion.
Recognize that kinetic energy, the energy of motion, can be distinguished from the various forms of potential (stored) energy, and explain how changes in energy forms can be tracked through physical or chemical interactions. Explore the relationship between the temperature and the total energy of a system.
Explore the properties of waves, and understand how waves transmit energy, and gather information about technology that transmit information as wave pulses. This model can explain many phenomena which include light and sound.
Developing models that demonstrate understanding of the relationship between temperature and particle motion or wave transmission through various materials.
Planning investigations to provide evidence about the impact of force and mass on an object's motion; constructing and testing a device that can keep an object hot or cold for extended periods of time.
Multilingual Learner Language Expectations
From the moment you ask where, why, and how? You are a scientist!
It is always a good reminder for both students and teachers, that we are all scientist! Below are some resources to share with your students about what a scientist looks like, what a scientist does and the importance of contributing to the world's collective science knowledge. The world needs science, and science needs YOU!
The Stories & Science of Real World Scientist
An interactive for inclusive Science and STEM education, this project aims to give young students real-life STEM role models.
Science & STEM Careers Portal - Explore Hundreds of STEM Fields
Encourage students to prepare for their future career success with Career Profile videos and student activations focusing on the STEM skills, knowledge, and interests needed to pursue exciting careers in the STEM industry. It’s never too early for students to plan their career path--help inspire the future workforce today. Explore More
IF/THEN STEM Initiative
The IF/THEN Initiative is committed to showing young girls exactly what a scientist looks like. IF/THEN seeks to further advance women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) by empowering current innovators and inspiring the next generation of pioneers. Explore More
DoDSTEM
Scientists and engineers work across a wide range of career pathways throughout the STEM fields including biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, engineering, mathematics, robotics, computer science and more. Explore the different types of STEM careers here and see what kind of opportunities might ignite your curiosity! Select a Topic to learn about STEM careers