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    In 7th Grade Science we will be learning...
     
     
    Matter

    Essential Questions:
    1. What is the relationship between temperature, volume, mass, and density?
    2. Why do particles behave differently in a solid, liquid, gas, and plasma?
    3. How is matter conserved through the universe?
    4. Why can you eat salt when sodium and chlorine are toxic?

    Enduring Understandings:
    1. Properties of matter are universal – the same properties and laws that govern matter on earth occur everywhere in the universe
    2. Everything is made up of matter – have students see that there is so much going on at the atomic level beyond what the eyes can see
    3. Matter is conserved regardless of physical or chemical changes
    4. Combinations of atoms may or may not have different properties than the atoms that formed them

    Energy

    Essential Questions:
    1.How is energy conserved as it is transferred from one form to another form? (conservation of energy)2.How are various forms of energy interconnected?
    3.What can be done to conserve energy, locally and globally?
    4.How will we ensure renewable and non-renewable resources for energy in the future?
    5. What is the difference between temperature and heat?
    6. How is heat transferred? (conduction, convection, radiation)

    Enduring Understandings:
    1. Energy is conserved.
    2. Energy can take on different forms
    3. Energy resources are essential for the future
    4. Each energy resource has pros and cons.
    5. Temperature is numerical and can be measured, heat is relative
    6. Heat is transferred through three different means
     
     
    Ecology
     
    Essential Questions:
    1.  How does energy flow through an ecosystem?
    2.  How is matter recycled through the environment?
    3.  How does climate affect limiting factors in an ecosystem?
    4.  Why are both biotic and abiotic factors important for a healthy ecosystem?
    5.  How do environments, and its biotic factors, adapt over time?

    Enduring Understandings:
    1. There are connections between abiotic and biotic factors.
    2. Biotic factors rely on abiotic factors for survival
    3. Energy and matter flow through organisms and/or their environment.
    4. Ecosystems change over time
    5. Adaptation is essential for species survival
    6. Every biome has unique biotic and abiotic factors
    7. Human actions impact biotic and abiotic factors
     
     

    Cells & Heredity

    Essential Questions:

    1.     What are the characteristics of life?

    2.     How are structure and function of cells related within an organism?

    3.     What is the difference between unicellular and multicellular life?

    4.     How do cells live, grow, reproduce and basically respond to their environment?

    5.     How are the characteristics of one generation passed to the next?

    6.     How can individuals of the same species and even siblings have different characteristics?