Integrated Science 

In this unit, students will begin the course by learning how scientists investigate questions about Earth through observation, experimentation, modeling, and data analysis. They will explore how the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, biosphere, and cryosphere interact to create a dynamic planet. Students will recognize that changes in one Earth system often affect the others and use systems thinking to explain natural phenomena.

In this unit, students will investigate Earth's internal structure and discover how heat from the planet's interior drives plate movement. They will examine the evidence supporting plate tectonic theory and explain how interactions between tectonic plates produce earthquakes, volcanoes, mountain ranges, and ocean basins. Students will use maps and geologic data to predict where these events are most likely to occur.

In this unit, students will study how weathering, erosion, deposition, and the movement of water continually reshape Earth's surface. They will investigate rivers, glaciers, groundwater, and coastal systems to understand how landscapes evolve over time. Students will also examine how human activities can accelerate erosion and alter natural water systems.

In this unit, students will explore how energy from the Sun drives weather patterns and global climate systems. They will analyze interactions among the atmosphere, oceans, land, and ice to understand short-term weather events and long-term climate trends. Using real-world data, students will investigate the evidence for climate change and evaluate both natural and human influences on Earth's climate.

In this unit, students will learn how scientists reconstruct Earth's 4.6-billion-year history using rock layers, fossils, and radiometric dating. They will investigate major geologic events, mass extinctions, and changes in Earth's atmosphere and climate over time. Students will recognize that Earth's surface and life have evolved together through gradual processes punctuated by catastrophic events.

In this unit, students will explore the origins of the universe, the life cycles of stars, and the formation of our solar system. They will examine how gravity governs the motion of planets and galaxies and investigate how stars create the elements necessary for planets and life. Students will also study Earth's place in the universe and how astronomical cycles influence conditions on our planet.

In this unit, students will investigate the relationship between humans and Earth's natural systems by examining energy resources, water availability, mineral extraction, natural hazards, and environmental change. They will evaluate the environmental, economic, and social impacts of resource use and develop engineering-based solutions that promote sustainability and resilience in communities.

In this unit, students will investigate how forces cause changes in motion and how the laws developed by Isaac Newton explain the movement of objects on Earth and in space. Through hands-on investigations, students will explore the relationships among force, mass, acceleration, inertia, and momentum. They will analyze collisions, rocket propulsion, and orbital motion to understand how the same physical principles govern everyday experiences and large-scale Earth and space phenomena.