Course title
SCI102Pre-requisite
K12 middle school Physical Science, or equivalent.Course description
SCI102: Physical Science (Core)
Scope & Sequence : Scope & Sequence documents describe what is covered in a course (the scope) and also the order in which topics are covered (the sequence). These documents list instructional objectives and skills to be mastered. K12 Scope & Sequence documents for each course include:
Course Overview
Students explore the relationship between matter and energy by investigating force and motion; the structure of atoms; the structure and properties of matter; chemical reactions; and the interactions of energy and matter. Students develop skill in measuring; solving problems; using laboratory apparatuses; following safety procedures; and adhering to experimental procedures. Students focus on inquiry-based learning; with hands-on laboratory investigations and virtual laboratory experiences.
Course Length
Two Semesters
Prerequisites
K12 middle school Physical Science; or equivalent.
Course Outline
SEMESTER ONE
Unit 1: Matter and Energy
In this unit; students learn about the depth of physical science; the relationship between matter and energy; and scientific methods. Students use scientific methods in a laboratory setting and demonstrate their results through graphing.
Semester Introduction
Dimensions: Distance; Time; and Mass
Matter; Energy; and the Scientific Method
Creating and Analyzing Graphs
Laboratory: Drop and Bounce 1
Laboratory: Drop and Bounce 2
Unit 2: Forces and Motion
In this unit; students study Newton's three laws of motion; and they demonstrate those laws in a hands-on laboratory and in online simulations. Students also learn to define acceleration and force.
Describing and Measuring Motion
Acceleration
Forces
Laboratory: Drop and Bounce Revisited
Newton's First Law of Motion
Newton's Second Law of Motion
Newton's Third Law of Motion
Laboratory: Mass in Motion 1
Laboratory: Mass in Motion 2
Unit 3: Application of Forces
Students explore friction; gravity; and force in this unit. They begin to understand the concept of vectors and learn to describe force in terms of vectors.
Friction
Gravity
Gravity and Motion
Forces and Vectors
Laboratory: Net Force 1
Laboratory: Net Force 2
Unit 4: Fluid Forces
An understanding of fluid forces is important to the study of physical science. In this unit; students observe and graph how shape influences movement through a fluid. They learn to define density and understand its relationship to buoyancy. Students relate the concept of pressure to buoyancy. Students learn to describe Pascal's and Bernoulli's principles.
Pressure
Buoyancy
Laboratory: Density and Buoyancy 1
Laboratory: Density and Buoyancy 2
Pascal's Principle
Bernoulli's Principle
Laboratory: Shapes and Fluid Forces 1
Laboratory: Shapes and Fluid Forces 2
Unit 5: Energy
Energy has a profound effect on our physical environment. In this unit; students first develop a firm basis for understanding changes in energy and identifying potential and kinetic energy. Designing a thermos in a laboratory provides the basis for the development of students' understanding of how heat moves. As in other units; students' understanding of facts stems from their mastery of the big ideas of physical science.
Energy
Energy Change
Potential and Kinetic Energy
Laboratory: Pendulum 1
Laboratory: Pendulum 2
Laboratory: Elasticity 1
Laboratory: Elasticity 2
Heat Energy
How Energy Moves
Laboratory: Heat Transfer 1
Laboratory: Heat Transfer 2
Laboratory: Design a Thermos 1
Laboratory: Design a Thermos 2
Unit 6: Work
Work and the ability to do work are the focus of this unit. Students explore the properties of a simple machine. They learn the factors that influence force. In their exploration; they also determine the effect of pulleys and levers—two simple machines.
Work
Simple Machines and Mechanical Advantage
Power
Laboratory: Levers 1
Laboratory: Levers 2
Laboratory: Pulleys 1
Laboratory: Pulleys 2
Unit 7: Waves
The properties of waves and the effects of waves on physical systems are the focus of this unit. Students explore the different kinds of waves; and they learn the factors that influence waves. Students learn to define frequency; wavelength; and pitch. Finally; students learn to demonstrate and explain the Doppler effect.
Introduction to Waves
Properties of Waves
Wave Energy
Transverse and Longitudinal Waves
Laboratory: Waves 1
Laboratory: Waves 2
Sound
Frequency; Wavelength; and Pitch
Laboratory: Doppler Effect 1
Laboratory: Doppler Effect 2
Unit 8: Light
In this unit; students thoroughly explore the concept of light. They study the speed of light and how it is determined; the properties of the electromagnetic spectrum; and color. They learn to define reflection and refraction ; and describe their characteristics.
Light
Speed of Light
Reflection and Refraction
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Color
Unit 9: Electricity
Electricity and magnetism are the focus of this unit. Students explore electricity and magnetism as they build an electric motor. They learn the components that make up circuits.
Electricity and Magnetism
Laboratory: Electric Motor 1
Laboratory: Electric Motor 2
Circuits
Unit 10: Semester Review and Test
Semester Review
Semester Test
SEMESTER TWO
Unit 1: Nature of Matter
The difference between matter and energy is the focus of this unit. Students examine the classification of matter; the nature of energy; and viscosity. In their laboratory; they demonstrate knowledge of these concepts through observation and data reporting.
Semester Introduction
Nature of Matter
Classification of Matter
Matter and Energy
Laboratory: Viscosity 1
Laboratory: Viscosity 2
Unit 2: States of Matter
Phase changes are a tangible way to understand the states of matter. In this unit; students observe phase changes. In their observation; they examine the properties of heat and energy. By the end of this unit; students have a solid knowledge of thermodynamics.
States of Matter
Matter Changes State
Kinetic Theory of Matter
Laboratory: Evaporation 1
Laboratory: Evaporation 2
Laboratory: Phase Change 1
Laboratory: Phase Change 2
Laws of Thermodynamics
Heat Energy and Matter
Laboratory: Endothermic Process 1
Laboratory: Endothermic Process 2
Unit 3: Gas Laws
The environment is made up of gases. Students examine the laws that govern gases; paying particular attention to the effects of pressure; temperature; and volume. The gas laws are demonstrated in the laboratory.
Gases
Pressure; Temperature; and Volume
Introduction to the Gas Laws
Laboratory: Gas Laws 1
Laboratory: Gas Laws 2
Unit 4: Atoms
Students gain a firm basis for understanding the atom and its characteristics. Students look at the atom in greater detail; including the atomic model; atomic number; atomic mass; and atomic nucleus. Building on the big ideas of the atom; students develop a strong central basis for understanding radioactive dating; fusion; and fission.
Atoms
Atomic Model
Atomic Number
Atomic Mass
Nucleus of the Atom
Radioactivity
Radioactive Dating
Fusion and Fission
Unit 5: Elements
Students explore the properties of elements and the placement of elements in the periodic table. They begin to understand why an element is placed where it is in the table and draw conclusions about that element based on its location. They demonstrate an understanding of metals and nonmetals and the nature of compounds.
Elements
Periodic Table 1
Periodic Table 2
Properties of Metals and Nonmetals
Elements and Compounds
Unit 6: Mixtures
Students learn to identify mixtures and solutions; and differentiate between certain kinds of solutions. They demonstrate a working knowledge of solubility in their laboratory.
Introduction to Mixtures
Introductions to Solutions
Laboratory: Mixtures 1
Laboratory: Mixtures 2
Laboratory: Solubility 1
Laboratory: Solubility 2
Factors That Influence Solubility
Unit 7: Bonds
The focus of this unit is bonding: the configuration of electrons and different kinds of bonds. Understanding bonding is essential to a study of physical science. In addition to giving students a firm understanding of bonding; this unit prepares students for understanding what happens in chemical reactions.
Electron Configurations
Valence Electrons
Ionic Bonds
Covalent Bonds
Polar Covalent Bonds and Electronegativity
Hydrogen Bonding and Metallic Bonding
Unit 8: Chemical Reactions
The focus of this unit is an understanding of chemical reactions. Students observe chemical reactions and draw conclusions about what happened in those reactions. They apply their knowledge of bonding as they balance chemical equations. Students also explore solutions chemistry.
Introduction to Chemical Reactions
Laboratory: Chemical Reactions 1
Laboratory: Chemical Reactions 2
Laboratory: Copper-Plating Solution 1
Laboratory: Copper-Plating Solution 2
Chemical Reactions Explained
How to Balance a Chemical Equation
Solution Chemistry
Unit 9: Acids and Bases
In this unit; students focus on acid and base reactions. They start out learning the definition of acid and base. They learn to explain and use the pH scale and describe the properties of acids and bases. Students observe acid–base reactions and learn the importance of buffers.
Acids
Bases
pH Scale
Acid and Base Reaction
Buffers
Laboratory: Acid Neutralization 1
Laboratory: Acid Neutralization 2
Unit 10: Organic Chemistry
Students explore the field of organic chemistry through a thorough exploration of the four macromolecules: proteins; carbohydrates; lipids; and nucleic acids. They study the functional groups that make up those compounds.
Organic Chemistry
Functional Groups
Macromolecules
Unit 11: Semester Review and Test
Semester Review
Semester Test
School country
United StatesSchool state
ArizonaSchool city
PhoenixHigh school
Insight Academy of ArizonaSchool / district Address
99 E. Virginia Avenue, Suite 200School zip code
85004Requested competency code
Lab ScienceDate submitted
Approved
YesApproved competency code
- LINT
- Integrated science