Science Standards Refresher

Click the headings below to explore the Standards for each grade range.

Grades K–4

Standards	What Is It?
Unifying Concepts and Processes	Systems, order, and organization Evidence, models, and explanation Change, constancy, and measurement Evolution and equilibrium Form and function
Science as Inquiry	Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry Understandings about scientific inquiry
Physical Science	Properties of objects and materials Position and motion of objects Light, heat, electricity, and magnetism
Life Science	Characteristics of organisms Life cycles of organisms Organisms and environments
Earth and Space Science	Properties of Earth materials Objects in the sky Changes in Earth and sky
Science and Technology	Abilities of technological design Understandings about science and technology Abilities to distinguish between natural objects and objects made by humans
Science in Personal and Social Perspectives	Personal health Characteristics and changes in populations Types of resources Changes in environments Science and technology in local challenges
History and Nature of Science	Science as a human endeavor

Grades 5-8

Standards	What is it?
Unifying Concepts and Processes	Systems, order, and organization Evidence, models, and explanation Change, constancy, and measurement Evolution and equilibrium Form and function
Science as Inquiry	Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry Understandings about scientific inquiry
Physical Science	Properties and changes of properties in matter Motions and forces Transfer of energy
Life Science	Structure and function in living systems Reproduction and heredity Regulation and behavior Populations and ecosystems Diversity and adaptations of organisms
Earth and Space Science	Structure of the Earth system Earth's history Earth in the solar system
Science and Technology	Abilities of technological design Understandings about science and technology
Science in Personal and Social Perspectives	Personal health Populations, resources, and environments Natural hazards Risks and benefits Science and technology in society
History and Nature of Science	Science as a human endeavor Nature of science History of science

Grades 9-12

Standards	What is it?
Unifying Concepts and Processes	Systems, order, and organization Evidence, models, and explanation Change, constancy, and measurement Evolution and equilibrium Form and function
Science as Inquiry	Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry Understandings about scientific inquiry
Physical Science	Structure of atoms Structure and properties of matter Chemical reactions Motions and forces Conservation of energy and increase in disorder Interactions of energy and matter
Life Science	The cell Molecular basis of heredity Biological evolution Interdependence of organisms Matter, energy, and organization in living systems Behavior of organisms
Earth and Space Science	Energy in the Earth system Geochemical cycles Origin and evolution of the Earth system Origin and evolution of the universe
Science and Technology	Abilities of technological design Understandings about science and technology
Science in Personal and Social Perspectives	Personal and community health Population growth Natural resources Environmental quality Natural and human-induced hazards Science and technology in local, national, and global challenges
History and Nature of Science	Science as a human endeavor Nature of scientific knowledge Historical perspectives

This information is excerpted from the National Science Education Standards, published by the National Research Council in 1995. To find the complete National Science Education Standards, please visit National Science Education Standards.

Science Standards Refresher

Grades K–4

Grades 5-8

Grades 9-12

Science

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