SCIENCE COMPETENCIES

I. GENERAL COMPETENCIES: All students should understand and demonstrate working knowledge of :

A. The nature of science. They should understand science as an activity which is done in the context of an existing society. Science assumes that the world is understandable and its patterns can be discovered. All students should understand the role of facts, hypotheses and theories in the development of a logical argument which links evidence to conclusions.

B. Key science concepts which are common to all branches of science. These key science concepts and the required knowledge and skills include:

1. Systems--identify the entity considered a functional unit.
2. Cause/Effect/Change--identify the cause(s) and effect(s) of change within a system under study.
3. Cycles--recognize and describe a sequence of change(s).
4. Energy/Matter--understand energy, types, transformation and flow, and the properties of matter.
5. Equilibrium/Homeostasis--explain a system in equilibrium and predict the effects of external forces on this equilibrium.
6. Interaction--understand the relationship of two or more entities.
7. Fundamental Entities--identify the basic components of a system
8. Probability--understand the uses and predictive value of a system.
9. Organization--recognize patterns, symmetry or chaos in the system under study.

C. The interactive relationship of science, technology and society.

D. The interrelationships between science and math as well as other disciplines such as art, social sciences and humanities.

E. Methods for assessing and utilizing scientific information.

F. Computer applications as applied to science / technology.

G. Environmental issues and effective actions at the personal, local, country and global levels.

H. The ethical considerations which relate to science and technology.

I. Careers in science and technology.

J. The appropriate science study skills for the success of all students.