7th Grade Science

HAA Grade 7 Science Curriculum

1. Science and Technology

1.1. Thinking like a Scientist and Scientific Inquiry

1.2. Tools of Science Measurements, Graphs, and Models

1.3. Safety in the Laboratory

2. Introduction to Chemistry - Matter, Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures

2.1. Atoms - Identify atoms as the fundamental particles that make up matter

2.2. States of Matter - Illustrate the particle arrangement and type of motion associated with different states of matter 

2.3. Measure - Measure or calculate the mass, volume, and temperature of a given substance

2.4. Density - Calculate the density of various objects 

2.5. Element or Compound - Distinguish between elements and compounds by their symbols and formulas

2.6. Physical or Chemical - Differentiate between physical and chemical changes 

2.7. Component Parts - Describe how the characteristics of a compound are different than the characteristics of their component parts

2.8. Mixture of Gas - Explain how the chemical makeup of the atmosphere illustrates a mixture of gases

2.9. Periodic Table - Identify the atomic number, atomic mass, number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in an atom of an element using the periodic table. Absolutely Fabulous Periodic Table: http://education.jlab.org/itselemental/index.html.

2.10.Conservation of Mass - Use investigations of chemical and physical changes to describe the Law of Conservation of Mass

2.11. Introduction to Molecular Modeling

2.12. Understand the properties of Metals vs Nonmetals, and Metalloids.

2.13.Radioactive Isotopes and Radioactive Decay. Understand the process of radioactive decay and modern uses.

2.14.Bonding and Interactions - Determine the types of interactions between substances that result in a chemical change. Ionic and Covalent Bonding. 

2.15.Chemical Reaction - Differentiate between the reactants and products of a chemical equation

2.16. Recognize the differences between endothermic and exothermic reactions

3. Physical Science Physics & Energy

3.1. Laws of Motion

3.1.1.  Identify, Understand, and illustrate Newton’s three laws of motion and relate the first two laws to the concepts of inertia and momentum

3.1.2.  Solve problems pertaining to distance, speed, velocity, and time given illustrations, diagrams, graphs, or scenarios.

3.1.3 Force and friction. Understand the nature of forces and the affects of friction and gravity. Solve word problems with vector diagrams, trigonometry, and graphing.

3.1.4 Understand and solve problems related to free fall and circular motion.

3.2. Work and Power

3.2.2.  Identify, Understand and illustrate work and power.

3.2.2.  Understand and solve problems for input and output forces, mechanical advantage, and efficiency.

3.2.3 Build simple machines: inclined plane, wedge, screw, lever, fulcrum, and relate cause and effect.

3.2.4.   Build compound machines: pulley, wheel and axle, and relate cause and effect.

3.3. Forces and Energy

Introduction to Kinetic and Potential. Compare potential and kinetic energy. Understand The Law of Conservation of Energy and apply to solve problems.

4. Earth Science – Space Science

4.1. Recognize that gravity is a force that pulls all things on and near the earth toward the center of the earth. Gravity plays a major role in the formation of the planets, stars, and solar system and in determining their motions.

4.1.1. Sky from Earth and the Earth in Space

4.1.2. Applied circular motion and gravity versus distance.

4.2. Describe lunar and solar eclipses, the observed moon phases, and tides. Relate them to the relative positions of the earth, moon, and sun.

4.2.1. Phases and Eclipses

4.2.2. Tides and the Earth’s Moon

4.2.3. Explain how the tilt of the earth and its revolution around the sun result in an uneven heating of the earth, which in turn causes the seasons.

4.3.            Compare and contrast properties and conditions of objects in the solar system (i.e., sun, planets, and moons) to those on Earth (i.e., gravitational force, distance from the sun, speed, movement, temperature, and atmospheric conditions).

4.3.1. Modeling the Solar System inner and outer planets

4.3.2. Small Solar System objects

4.3.3. Satellites

4.4 Recognize that the universe contains many billions of galaxies, and that each galaxy contains many billions of stars.

4.4.1. Telescopes and learning about distance objects.

      4.4.2. Scale of the Universe and Scientific Notation

      4.4.3. The life of a star and star systems

      4.4.4. The expanding universe

5. Technology and Engineering

5.1. Understanding Technology and careers in science

5.2. Technology Design Introduction to the technology design steps: identify a need, research, design a solution, build a model, troubleshooting, quality assurance, and communication.

5.3. Technology and Society. Define the major consequences of technology on society and the environment.