We have currently created PreK- 12 Enduring Understandings and Essential Questions within the four domains, Inquiry, Life, Earth and Physical Science.  We believe that the Inquiry domain must be integrated into all instruction of science.

PreK-12 Enduring Understandings

1  Inquiry

Nature of Science

1.1    Students will understand that current scientific knowledge and theory is subject to change based on new evidence.

Questioning & Hypothesizing

1.2    Students will understand that identifying questions and concepts will guide scientific research. Students will understand that they must be able to develop a hypothesis using explanations, models and evidence.

Researching & Designing Investigations

1.3a  Students will understand that they need to collect evidence to answer a question via investigation or research.  

1.3b  Students will understand that to design an investigation it needs to be logically organized and control for variables.

Conducting Investigations

1.4    Students will understand that they need to follow procedures and use appropriate tools to gather, organize, represent and summarize data to understand scientific concepts.

Analyzing, Communicating & Applying

1.5a  Students will understand that the analysis and interpretation of data will help their understanding of scientific concepts.  

1.5b  Students will understand that evidence must be used to develop conclusions about their hypothesis.  

1.5c  Students will understand it is necessary to communicate their scientific knowledge and how it applies to their results and then be able to propose further questions and investigations.

2  Physical Science

Matter

2.1  Students will understand that all objects and substances are composed of matter with physical and chemical properties.

2.2  Students will understand that matter can change form or state but will always be conserved.

Energy

2.3  Students will understand that energy exists in multiple forms.

2.4  Students will understand that energy can change forms.

Forces and Motion

2.5  Students will understand that motion is affected by energy or force.

3  Life Science

Structure and Functions of Living Systems

3.1a   Students will understand that all living organisms have certain needs and structures with unique functions that allow them to survive.

3.1b   Students will understand that all living organisms interact with their environment and each other.

Changes in Living Systems

3.2a   Students will understand that species have changed, are changing and will continue to evolve over time.

3.2b   Students will understand that all living organisms have life cycles and reproduce.

3.2c   Students will understand that the characteristics of organisms are influenced by heredity and environment.

3.2d   Students will understand that living organisms can be classified to better study and understand them.

Energy

3.3a   Students will understand that energy is transferred through interdependent systems within an organism and throughout ecosystems.

4  Earth Science

Earth, Space and Time

4.1 Students will understand that all objects in the universe have discreet properties.

4.2 Students will understand that patterns, cycles and movement govern the universe.

Earth Systems and Structures

4.3  Students will understand that the relationship between the earth and sun creates changes over time encompassing the water cycle, climate and weather and seasonal patterns.

4.4  Students will understand that there are forces that shape the Earth and the Earth is made up of basic materials.

Essential Questions

1  Inquiry

Nature of Science

Questioning & Hypothesizing

• How do questions about our natural world guide our scientific inquiry to help us learn more?
• How can prior knowledge or misconceptions affect the creation of a hypothesis?

Researching & Designing Investigations

• What evidence is necessary to answer a question? 
• In what ways can we design an investigation to test the question?

Conducting Investigations

• How can the process of an investigation affect the outcome of the results?

Analyzing, Communicating & Applying

• How do data guide your analysis of an investigation?
• To what extent does evidence support or refute a hypothesis, or lead to alternative explanations and investigations?

2  Physical Science

Matter

• How can characteristic properties be used to distinguish one form of matter from another?
• In what ways can matter be changed and conserved?

Energy

• What are the different forms of energy and how do they behave?
• How can energy be changed and conserved?

Forces and Motion

• In what ways can matter move?
• How do forces effect motion of matter?
• How can forces change the motion of matter?

3  Life Science

Structure and Functions of Living Systems

• What do living organisms need to survive?
• How does an organism’s physical structure enable it to survive?
• How do organisms interact with each other and their environment?

Changes in Living Systems

• How do species change over time?
• How do living organisms change and reproduce throughout their life cycles?
• How do heredity and environment affect living organisms?

Energy

• How do organisms obtain energy to survive?
• How does energy flow within an organism and throughout ecosystems?

4  Earth Science

Earth, Space and Time

• What are some observable properties, patterns and cycles in the solar system?
• In what ways has Earth changed throughout its history?
• What evidence can be used to show the universe has changed over time?
• What evidence can be used to show  the earth has changed over time?

Earth Systems and Structures

• How does the sum create and affect the water cycle, climate and weather patterns on Earth?
• What are the biological internal and external natural forces that shape and change the Earth?
• What are the basic materials that make up the Earth and how have they changed over time?