6th Grade Science
The following learning targets represent the major concepts studied and assessed in this course.
Semester 1
Unit 1: Engineering Design
- Support an argument for a design to solve a specific problem using criteria and constraints.
- Analyze the potential impacts of a design in order to prioritize criteria and constraints.
- Analyze test data to support an argument for an optimal design.
- Synthesize data to develop a model to optimize a design through repeated testing.
Unit 2: Structure and Properties of Matter
- Use models to describe atomic composition of molecular structures.
- Collect and synthesize information about the chemical properties of designed materials.
- Explain the physical changes that occur when the material’s thermal energy changes.
Unit 3: Chemical Reactions
- Interpret data for the occurrence of chemical changes.
- Present information to describe synthetic materials are produced from natural sources and their impacts on society.
- Develop and use models to explain how mass is conserved in chemical reactions
- Design and modify a device that uses changes in thermal energy by chemical processes
Semester 2
Unit 4: Energy
- Analyze graphs showing relationships between kinetic energy, mass, and speed
- Develop models explaining potential energy in systems
- Design a device to minimize or maximize thermal energy transfer
- Analyze temperature changes related to energy transfer, mass, and type of matter
- Support claims about energy transfer when kinetic energy changes
Unit 5: Wave Properties
- Use mathematical models to describe wave properties and behavior
- Develop models describing wave interactions in different media
Unit 6: Force and Motion
- Design a solution to minimize the force during a collision
- Conduct investigations to show how force and mass affect motion
Unit 7: Types of Interactions
- Create and analyze graphs showing how gravitational force depends on mass
- Identify evidence explaining electric and magnetic field effects
- Analyze data to determine factors affecting electric and magnetic force strength