Ohio Academic Content Standards for Science
Benchmarks and Indicators

 

6-8 Science Benchmarks

 By the end of the 6-8 program:

 

 

Earth and Space Sciences

 

 

Life Sciences

 

 

A. Describe how the positions and motions of the objects in the universe cause predictable and cyclic events.

 

B. Explain that the universe is composed of vast amounts of matter, most of which is at incomprehensible distances and held together by gravitational force. Describe how the universe is studied by the use of equipment such as telescopes, probes, satellites and spacecraft.

 

C. Describe interactions of matter and energy throughout the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere (e.g., water cycle, weather and pollution).

 

D. Identify that the lithosphere contains rocks and minerals and that minerals make up rocks. Describe how rocks and minerals are formed and/or classified.

 

E. Describe the processes that contribute to the continuous changing of Earth's surface (e.g., earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, erosion, mountain building and lithospheric plate movements).

 

 

A. Explain that the basic functions of organisms are carried out in cells and groups of specialized cells form tissues and organs; the combination of these cells make up multicellular organisms that have a variety of body plans and internal structures.

 

B. Describe the characteristics of an organism in terms of a combination of inherited traits and recognize reproduction as a characteristic of living organisms essential to the continuation of the species.

 

C. Explain how energy entering the ecosystems as sunlight supports the life of organisms through photosynthesis and the transfer of energy through the interactions of organisms and the environment.

 

D. Explain how extinction of a species occurs when the environment changes and its adaptive characteristics are insufficient to allow survival (as seen in evidence of the fossil record).

 

 

6-8 Science Benchmarks

 By the end of the 6-8 program:

 

 

Physical Sciences

 

 

Science and Technology

 

 

A. Relate uses, properties and chemical processes to the behavior and/or arrangement of the small particles that compose matter.

 

B. In simple cases, describe the motion of objects and conceptually describe the effects of forces on an object.

 

C. Describe renewable and nonrenewable sources of energy (e.g., solar, wind, fossil fuels, biomass, hydroelectricity, geothermal and nuclear energy) and the management of these sources.

 

D. Describe that energy takes many forms, some forms represent kinetic energy and some forms represent potential energy; and during energy transformations the total amount of energy remains constant.

 

 

A. Give examples of how technological advances, influenced by scientific knowledge, affect the quality of life.

 

B. Design a solution or product taking into account needs and constraints (e.g., cost, time, trade-offs, properties of materials, safety and aesthetics).

 

 

6-8 Science Benchmarks

 By the end of the 6-8 program:

 

 

Scientific Inquiry

 

 

Scientific Ways of Knowing

 

 

A. Explain that there are differing sets of procedures for guiding scientific investigations and procedures are determined by the nature of the investigation, safety considerations and appropriate tools.

 

B. Analyze and interpret data from scientific investigations using appropriate mathematical skills in order to draw valid conclusions.

 

 

A. Use skills of scientific inquiry processes (e.g., hypothesis, record keeping, description and explanation).

 

B. Explain the importance of reproducibility and reduction of bias in scientific methods.

 

C. Give examples of how thinking scientifically is helpful in daily life.

 

 

Grade Six 

                

Earth and Space Sciences (6)

 

            Earth Systems

 

1. Describe the rock cycle and explain that there are sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks that have distinct properties (e.g., color, texture) and are formed in different ways.

 

2. Explain that rocks are made of one or more minerals.

 

3. Identify minerals by their characteristic properties.

 

                 

Life Sciences (6)

 

            Characteristics and

            Structure of Life

 

 

1. Explain that many of the basic functions of organisms are carried out by or within cells and are similar in all organisms.

 

2. Explain that multicellular organisms have a variety of specialized cells, tissues, organs and organ systems that perform specialized functions.

 

3. Identify how plant cells differ from animal cells (e.g., cell wall and chloroplasts).

 

            Heredity

4. Recognize that an individual organism does not live forever; therefore reproduction is necessary for the continuation of every species and traits are passed on to the next generation through reproduction.

 

5. Describe that in asexual reproduction all the inherited traits come from a single parent.

 

6. Describe that in sexual reproduction an egg and sperm unite and some traits come from each parent, so the offspring is never identical to either of its parents.

 

7. Recognize that likenesses between parents and offspring (e.g., eye color, flower color) are inherited. Other likenesses, such as table manners are learned.