We have framed our units by identifying the concepts that are central to them.  Below the concepts are the topics that will be used to develop the understanding of the concepts:

The outcomes identified below are aligned with the units on the left:

Cultural Identity and the Universe

(Cultures studied: Hittites, Egyptians, Mayans, Greeks, Chinese, Native Americans)

•           A civilization's cultural identity is shaped by their understanding of science, art and religion.

•           Understanding our place in the universe has been a critical part for many ancient civilizations’ identity throughout history.

2 weeks

Science Inquiry and Society

(Scientists explored:  Newton, Copernicus, Galileo, Brahe, Kepler)

•           The acceptance of scientific ideas leads to advancement and is not only determined by the proposal of a new theory, but also by the values of the society in which they were introduced.

2 weeks

Evidence/Technology/Exploration

(Topics:  WWII, Cold War, Space Race, New telescopes, Rovers/Probes, Shuttles and Space Station)

•           Advances in technology have provided concrete evidence for previous theories.

•           Politics plays a crucial role in the advancement of science and technology.

3 weeks

Systems/Models/Interactions/Scale

(Topics: Astronomical units of measurement, Newtonian gravity, Kepler's Laws, Einstein's Special Relativity, Celestial Motion)

•           Measuring distances in time and space requires the use of standards that can be agreed upon by the scientific community.

•           Cosmic motion can be observed, analyzed, and rendered into mathematical formulas with the expectation that scientists can predict future motions.

•           Objects in the Universe can never be at rest in relation to both one another and the rest of the Universe.  These objects can only be in dynamic equilibrium.

5 weeks

Evolution and Energy Transformation

(Topics:  The internal and external structures of galaxies, nebulas, stars, planets as well as the evolution of these celestial objects and the ways in which scientists test their hypotheses)

•           Fusion, fission, and friction are the most prolific energy sources in the Universe, facilitated by the force of gravity and ultimately separated by variations in density.

•           All objects in the Universe go through life cycles which are influenced by the environment, both initial and developmental, in which they exist.

•           Scientists are able to make and test hypotheses in an unlimited number of ways.  Choosing the most appropriate experiment requires making assumptions about the system to be tested as well as conducting an analysis of resource availability for testing.

5 weeks

Life in the Universe

(Topics: The survivability for life that currently resides on Earth; The survivability for life on our solar system's planets and moons as well as planets outside our solar system)

•           The frequency of a cyclic event, and the degree of human impact the event may cause, governs how much a culture values both the knowledge of its existence and the accuracy of its measurements.

•           Living things need a constant and steady supply of energy in order to prosper and proliferate.

3 weeks