Students will demonstrate an understanding that there are scientific concepts related to the origin and evolution of the universe.

Key ideas include:

• The big bang theory explains the origin of universe.
• Stars, star systems, and galaxies change over long periods of time.
• Characteristics of the sun, planets and their moons, comets, meteors, asteroids, and dwarf planets are determined by materials found in each body.
• Evidence from space exploration has increased our understanding of the structure and nature of our universe.

Students will:

• Demonstrate an understanding that there are scientific concepts related to the origin and evolution of the universe. Key ideas include:
  • Characteristics of the sun, planets and their moons, comets, meteors, asteroids, and dwarf planets are determined by materials found in each body.
• Investigate and understand that Earth is unique in our solar system. Key ideas include:
  • Earth supports life because of its relative proximity to the sun and other factors.
  • The dynamics of the sun-Earth-moon system cause seasons, tides, and eclipses.

Students will investigate and understand that there are major rock-forming and ore minerals.

Key ideas include:

• Analysis of physical and chemical properties supports mineral identification.
• Characteristics of minerals determine the uses of minerals.
• Minerals originate and are formed in specific ways.

Students will investigate and understand that plate tectonic theory explains Earth’s internal and external geologic processes.

Key ideas include:

• Convection currents in Earth’s interior lead to the movement of plates and influence the distribution of materials in Earth’s layers, and may impact the magnetic field.
• Features and processes occur within plates and at plate boundaries.
• Interaction between tectonic plates causes the development of mountain ranges and ocean basins.

Students will investigate and understand that

• Freshwater resources influence and are influenced by geological processes and human activity. Key ideas include:
  • Water influences geologic processes including soil development and karst topography.
• Investigate and understand that many aspects of the history and evolution of Earth and life can be inferred by studying rocks and fossils. Key ideas include:
  • Superposition, cross-cutting relationships, index fossils, and radioactive decay are methods of dating rocks and Earth events and processes.
  • Absolute (radiometric) and relative dating have different applications but can be used together to determine the age of rocks and structures.

Students will investigate and understand that

• Plate tectonic theory explains Earth’s internal and external geologic processes. Key ideas include:
  • Evidence of geologic processes is found in Virginia’s geologic landscape.
• Freshwater resources influence and are influenced by geologic processes and human activity. Key ideas include:
  • The nature of materials in the subsurface affect the water table and future availability of fresh water.
  • Weather and human usage affect freshwater resources, including water locations, quality, and supply.
  • Stream processes and dynamics affect the major watershed systems in Virginia, including the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.
• Many aspects of the history and evolution of Earth and life can be inferred by studying rocks and fossils. Key ideas include:
  • Traces and remains of ancient, often extinct, life are preserved by various means in sedimentary rocks.
  • Rocks and fossils from many different geologic periods and epochs are found in Virginia.
• Oceans are complex, dynamic systems and are subject to long- and short-term variations. Key ideas include:
  • Human actions, including economic and public policy issues, affect oceans and the coastal zone including the Chesapeake Bay.

Students will investigate and understand that:

• The atmosphere is a complex, dynamic system and is subject to long- and short-term variations. Key ideas include:
  • The composition of the atmosphere is critical to most forms of life.
  • Biologic and geologic interactions over long and short time spans change the atmospheric composition.
  • Natural events and human actions may stress atmospheric regulation mechanisms.
  • Human actions, including economic and policy decisions, affect the atmosphere.
• Earth’s weather and climate are the result of the interaction of the sun’s energy with the atmosphere, oceans, and the land. Key ideas include:
  • Weather involves the reflection, absorption, storage, and redistribution of energy over short to medium time spans.
  • Changes in the atmosphere and the oceans due to natural and human activity affect global climate.

Students will investigate and understand that Earth’s weather and climate are the result of the interaction of the sun’s energy with the atmosphere, oceans, and the land.

Key ideas include:

• Weather patterns can be predicted based on changes in current conditions.
• Extreme imbalances in energy distribution in the oceans, atmosphere, and the land may lead to severe weather conditions.
• Models based on current conditions are used to predict weather phenomena.

Students will investigate and understand that oceans are complex, dynamic systems and are subject to long- and short-term variations.

Key ideas include:

• Chemical, biological, and physical changes affect the oceans.
• Environmental and geologic occurrences affect ocean dynamics.
• Unevenly distributed heat in the oceans drives much of Earth’s weather.
• Features of the sea floor reflect tectonic and other geological processes.
• Human actions, including economic and public policy issues, affect oceans and the coastal zone including the Chesapeake Bay.

Students will investigate and understand that resource use is complex.

Key ideas include:

• Global resource use has environmental liabilities and benefits.
• Availability, renewal rates, and economic effects are considerations when using resources.
• Use of Virginia resources has an effect on the environment and the economy.
• All energy sources have environmental and economic effects.