These courses focus on unifying concepts in physics, chemistry, earth/space, and environmental science. They build on concepts developed in prior years with a strong emphasis on the development of problem-solving, critical-thinking, and inquiry skills. They give students a strong foundation in scientific literacy necessary to be productive citizens and to be successful in future science courses.

These courses meet benchmarks identified, in Seattle Public Schools science standards and Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements in Science, as necessary for graduation.

Benchmarks included in these courses:
The student understands and uses scientific concepts and principles:

Environmental and Resource Issues (life 1.3.9)
The student will analyze the effects of natural events and human activities on the earth's capacity to sustain biological diversity.

Interdependence of Life (life 1.3.10)
The student will compare and contrast the complex factors (biotic and abiotic) that affect living organisms' interactions in biomes, ecosystems, communities and populations.

Nature and Property of Earth Materials (earth 1.1.4)
The student will correlate the chemical composition of earth materials-rocks, soils, water, gases of the atmosphere-with properties that determine their use to humans.

Hydrosphere and Atmosphere (earth 1.3.5)
The student correlated global climate to energy transfer by the sun, cloud cover and the earth's rotation, and positions of mountain ranges and oceans.

Components and Patterns of the Earth System (earth 1.2.6)
The student will explain how natural forces determine patterns and arrangements of continents, landforms, and oceans and how the theory of plate tectonics accounts for movement over time.

Processes and Interaction in the Earth System (earth 1.3.3)
The student understand that patterns of movement in the plates that comprise the earth's surface are the result of outward transfer of the earth's internal heat, and that historical patterns of movement can be identified from clues in rock formations; describe the nature of the earth forces that have formed and caused the volcanoes and earthquakes, respectively in Washington State.

Properties of Substances (phy 1.1.1)
The student will examine the basis for the structure and use of the periodic table.

Structure of Matter (phy 1.2.4) (introduced)
The student will relate the structural characteristics of atoms to the principles of atomic bonding.

Physical and Chemical Changes (phy 1.2.5)
The student will analyze and explain the factors that affect physical and chemical changes, and how matter and energy are conserved in a closed system.

Motion of Objects (phy 1.1.2)
The student will describe the average speed, direction of motion, and average acceleration of objects.

Forces to Explain Motion (phy 1.3.2)
The student will understand many forms of energy as they are found in common situations of earth and in the universe.

Nature of Forces (phy 1.3.1)
The student will identify various forces and their relative magnitudes, and explain everyday situations in terms of force.

Energy Transfer and Transformation (phy 1.2.3)
The student will understand that total energy is conserved; analyze decreases and increases in energy during transfers, in terms of total energy conservation.

Energy Sources and Kinds (phy 1.2.3)
Understands many forms of energy as they are found in common situations on Earth and in the Universe.

Sound Light and Waves (phy 1.2.3)
The student will describe relationships between wavelength, speed and frequency for water waves, and describe ways in which water waves, waves on springs and the phenomena of sound and light exhibit wave-like behavior.

The student knows and applies the skills and processes of science and technology:

• Questioning
• Studies and analyzes questions and related concepts that guide scientific investigations

• Designing and conducting investigations
• Designs, conducts, and evaluates systematic and complex scientific investigations using appropriate technology, multiple measures, and safe approaches

• Evidence and explanation
• Formulates and revises scientific explanations and models using logic and evidence; recognizes and analyzes alternative explanations and predictions

• Modeling
• Uses mathematics, computers and/or related technology to model the behavior of objects, events, or processes

• Communication
• Researches, interprets, and defends scientific investigations, conclusions, or arguments; uses data, logic, and analytical thinking as investigative tools; expresses ideas through oral, written, and mathematical expression

• Identifying problems
• Studies and analyzes challenges or problems from local, regional, national, or global
  contexts in which science/technology can be or has been used to design a solution

• Designing and testing solutions
• Researches, models, simulates, and tests alternative solutions to a problem

• Evaluating potential solutions
• Proposes, revises, and evaluates the possible constraints, applications, and consequences of solutions to a problem or challenge

• Intellectual honesty
• Analyzes and explains why curiosity, honesty, openness, and skepticism are integral to scientific inquiry
  

The student understands the nature and contests of science and technology:

• Limitations of science and technology
• Identifies and analyzes factors that limit the extent of scientific investigation

• Dealing with inconsistencies
• Compares, contrasts, and critiques divergent results from scientific investigations based on scientific arguments and explanations

• Evaluating methods of investigation
• Analyzes and evaluates the quality and standards of investigative design, processes, and procedures

• Evolution of scientific ideas
• Knows that science involves testing, revising, and occasionally discarding theories; understands that scientific inquiry and investigation lead to a better understanding of the natural world and not to absolute truth

• All peoples contribute to science and technology
• Analyzes how scientific knowledge and technological advances discovered and developed by individuals and communities in all cultures of the world contribute to changes in societies

• Relationship of science and technology
• Analyzes how the scientific enterprise and technological advances influence and are influenced by human activity (e.g., societal, environmental, economical, political, ethical considerations)

• Careers and occupations using science, mathematics, and technology
• Investigates the scientific, mathematical, and technological knowledge, training, and experience needed for occupational/career areas of interest