LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Science — Grade 7

All questions and comments about this curriculum should be directed to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

Goal 1

The learner will design and conduct investigations to demonstrate an understanding of scientific inquiry.

Objective 1.01

Identify and create questions and hypotheses that can be answered through scientific investigations.

Objective 1.02

Develop appropriate experimental procedures for:

  • Given questions.
  • Student generated questions.

Objective 1.03

Apply safety procedures in the laboratory and in field studies.

  • Recognize potential hazards.
  • Safely manipulate materials and equipment.
  • Conduct appropriate procedures.

Objective 1.04

Analyze variables in scientific investigations:

  • Identify dependent and independent.
  • Use of a Control.
  • Manipulate.
  • Describe relationships between.
  • Define operationally.

Objective 1.05

Analyze evidence to:

  • Explain observations.
  • Make inferences and predictions.
  • Develop the relationship between evidence and explanation.

Objective 1.06

Use mathematics to gather, organize, and present quantitative data resulting from scientific investigations:

  • Measurement.
  • Analysis of data.
  • Graphing.
  • Prediction models.

Objective 1.07

Prepare models and/or computer simulations to:

  • Test hypotheses.
  • Evaluate how data fit.

Objective 1.08

Use oral and written language to:

  • Communicate findings.
  • Defend conclusions of scientific investigations.

Objective 1.09

Use technologies and information systems to:

  • Research.
  • Gather and analyze data.
  • Visualize data.
  • Disseminate findings to others.

Objective 1.10

Analyze and evaluate information from a scientifically literate viewpoint by reading, hearing, and/or viewing:

  • Scientific text.
  • Articles.
  • Events in the popular press.

Goal 2

The learner will demonstrate an understanding of technological design.

Objective 2.01

Explore evidence that "technology" has many definitions.

  • Artifact or hardware.
  • Methodology or technique.
  • System of production.
  • Social-technical system.

Objective 2.02

Use information systems to:

  • Identify scientific needs, human needs, or problems that are subject to technological solution.
  • Locate resources to obtain and test ideas.

Objective 2.03

Evaluate technological designs for:

  • Application of scientific principles.
  • Risks and benefits.
  • Constraints of design.
  • Consistent testing protocols.

Objective 2.04

Apply tenets of technological design to make informed consumer decisions about:

  • Products.
  • Processes.
  • Systems.

Goal 3

The learner will conduct investigations and utilize appropriate technologies and information systems to build an understanding of the atmosphere.

Objective 3.01

Explain the composition, properties and structure of the atmosphere:

  • Mixture of gases.
  • Stratified layers.
  • Each layer has distinct properties.
  • As altitude increases, air pressure decreases.
  • Equilibrium.

Objective 3.02

Describe properties that can be observed and measured to predict air quality:

  • Particulate matter.
  • Ozone.

Objective 3.03

Conclude that the good health of environments and organisms requires:

  • The monitoring of air quality.
  • Taking steps to maintain healthy air quality.
  • Stewardship.

Objective 3.04

Evaluate how humans impact air quality including:

  • Air quality standards
  • Point and non-point sources of air pollution in North Carolina.
  • Financial and economic trade-offs.
  • Local air quality issues.

Objective 3.05

Examine evidence that atmospheric properties can be studied to predict atmospheric conditions and weather hazards:

  • Humidity.
  • Temperature.
  • Wind speed and direction.
  • Air pressure.
  • Precipitation.
  • Tornados.
  • Hurricanes.
  • Floods.
  • Storms.

Objective 3.06

Assess the use of technology in studying atmospheric phenomena and weather hazards:

  • Satellites.
  • Weather maps.
  • Predicting.
  • Recording.
  • Communicating information about conditions.

Goal 4

The learner will conduct investigations, use models, simulations, and appropriate technologies and information systems to build an understanding of the complementary nature of the human body system.

Objective 4.01

Analyze how human body systems interact to provide for the needs of the human organism:

  • Musculoskeletal.
  • Cardiovascular.
  • Endocrine and Nervous.
  • Digestive and Circulatory.
  • Excretory.
  • Reproductive.
  • Respiratory.
  • Immune.
  • Nervous system.

Objective 4.02

Describe how systems within the human body are defined by the functions it performs.

Objective 4.03

Explain how the structure of an organ is adapted to perform specific functions within one or more systems.

  • Liver.
  • Heart.
  • Lung. Brain.
  • Stomach.
  • Kidney.

Objective 4.04

Evaluate how systems in the human body help regulate the internal environment.

Objective 4.05

Analyze how an imbalance in homeostasis may result from a disruption in any human system.

Objective 4.06

Describe growth and development of the human organism.

Objective 4.07

Explain the effects of environmental influences on human embryo development and human health including:

  • Smoking.
  • Alcohol.
  • Drugs.
  • Diet.

Objective 4.08

Explain how understanding human body systems can help make informed decisions regarding health.

Goal 5

The learner will conduct investigations and utilize appropriate technologies and information systems to build an understanding of heredity and genetics.

Objective 5.01

Explain the significance of genes to inherited characteristics:

  • Genes are the units of information.
  • Parents transmit genes to their offspring.
  • Some medical conditions and diseases are genetic.

Objective 5.02

Explain the significance of reproduction:

  • Sorting and recombination of parents' genetic material.
  • Potential variation among offspring.

Objective 5.03

Identify examples and patterns of human genetic traits:

  • Dominant and recessive.
  • Incomplete dominance.

Objective 5.04

Analyze the role of probability in the study of heredity:

  • Role of each parent in transfer of genetic traits.
  • Analysis of pedigrees.

Objective 5.05

Summarize the genetic transmittance of disease.

Objective 5.06

Evaluate evidence that human characteristics are a product of:

  • Inheritance.
  • Environmental factors.
  • Lifestyle choices.

Goal 6

The learner will conduct investigations, use models, simulations, and appropriate technologies and information systems to build an understanding of motion and forces.

Objective 6.01

Demonstrate ways that simple machines can change force.

Objective 6.02

Analyze simple machines for mechanical advantage and efficiency.

Objective 6.03

Evaluate motion in terms of Newton's Laws:

  • The force of friction retards motion.
  • For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
  • The greater the force, the greater the change in motion.
  • An object's motion is the result of the combined effect of all forces acting on the object:
  • A moving object that is not subjected to a force will continue to move at a constant speed in a straight line
  • An object at rest will remain at rest.

Objective 6.04

Analyze that an object's motion is always judged relative to some other object or point.

Objective 6.05

Describe and measure quantities that characterize moving objects and their interactions within a system:

  • Time.
  • Distance.
  • Mass.
  • Force.
  • Velocity.
  • Center of mass.
  • Acceleration.

Objective 6.06

Investigate and analyze the real world interactions of balanced and unbalanced forces:

  • Sports and recreation.
  • Transportation.
  • The human body.