Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 131 - THE MAINE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL ACCOUNTABILITY STANDARDS › Section 071-131-3 - SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
CONTENT STANDARDS AND PERFORMANCE
				  INDICATORS
3.1
THE
				PHYSICAL SETTING:
Students understand the universal nature of matter, energy,
				  force, and motion and identify how these relationships are exhibited in Earth
				  Systems, in the solar system, and throughout the universe.
Universe and Solar System
Grades 3-5
3.1.1 Students describe the positions and apparent motions of
				  different objects in and beyond our solar system and how these objects can be
				  viewed from Earth.
Grades 6-8
3.1.2 Students explain the movements, and describe the
				  location, composition, and characteristics of our solar system and universe,
				  including planets, the sun, and galaxies.
Grades 9-Diploma
3.1.3 Students explain the physical formation and changing
				  nature of our universe and solar system, and how our past and present knowledge
				  of the universe and solar system developed.
Earth
Grades 3-5
3.1.4 Students describe the properties of Earth's surface
				  materials, the processes that change them, and the cycles that affect the
				  Earth.
Grades 6-8
3.1.5 Students describe the various cycles, physical and
				  biological forces and processes, position in space, energy transformations, and
				  human actions that affect the short-term and long-term changes to the
				  Earth.
Grades 9-Diploma
3.1.6 Students describe and analyze the biological, physical,
				  energy, and human influences that shape and alter Earth Systems.
Matter and Energy
Grades 3-5
3.1.6 Students describe properties of objects and materials
				  before and after they undergo a change or interaction.
Grades 6-8
3.1.7 Students describe physical and chemical properties of
				  matter, interactions and changes in matter, and transfer of energy through
				  matter.
Grades 9-Diploma
3.1.8 Students describe the structure, behavior, and
				  interactions of matter at the atomic level and the relationship between matter
				  and energy.
Force and Motion
Grades 3-5
3.1.9 Students summarize how various forces affect the motion
				  of objects.
Grades 6-8
3.1.10 Students describe the force of gravity, the motion of
				  objects, the properties of waves, and the wavelike property of energy in light
				  waves.
Grades 9-Diploma
3.1.11 Students understand that the laws of force and motion
				  are the same across the universe.
3.2
THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT:
Students understand that cells are the basic unit of life,
				  that all life as we know it has evolved through genetic transfer and natural
				  selection to create a great diversity of organisms, and that these organisms
				  create interdependent webs through which matter and energy flow. Students
				  understand similarities and differences between humans and other organisms and
				  the interconnections of these interdependent webs.
Biodiversity
Grades 3-5
3.2.1 Students compare living things based on their
				  behaviors, external features, and environmental needs.
Grades 6-8
3.2.2 Students differentiate among organisms based on
				  biological characteristics and identify patterns of similarity.
Grades 9-Diploma
3.2.3 Students describe and analyze the evidence for
				  relatedness among and within diverse populations of organisms and the
				  importance of biodiversity.
Ecosystems
Grades 3-5
3.2.4 Students describe ways organisms depend upon, interact
				  within, and change the living and non-living environment as well as ways the
				  environment affects organisms.
Grades 6-8
3.2.5 Students examine how the characteristics of the
				  physical, non-living (abiotic) environment, the types and behaviors of living
				  (biotic) organisms, and the flow of matter and energy affect organisms and the
				  ecosystem of which they are part.
Grades 9-Diploma
3.2.6 Students describe and analyze the interactions, cycles,
				  and factors that affect short-term and long-term ecosystem stability and
				  change.
Cells
Grades 3-5
3.2.7 Students describe how living things are made up of one
				  or more cells and the ways cells help organisms meet their basic needs.
Grades 6-8
3.2.8 Students describe the hierarchy of organization and
				  function in organisms, and the similarities and differences in structure,
				  function, and needs among and within organisms.
Grades 9-Diploma
3.2.9 Students describe structure and function of cells at
				  the intracellular and molecular level including differentiation to form
				  systems, interactions between cells and their environment, and the impact of
				  cellular processes and changes on individuals.
Heredity and Reproduction
Grades 3-5
3.2.10 Students describe characteristics of organisms and the
				  reasons why organisms differ from or are similar to their parents.
Grades 6-8
3.2.11 Students describe the general characteristics and
				  mechanisms of reproduction and heredity in organisms, including humans, and
				  ways in which organisms are affected by their genetic traits.
Grades 9-Diploma
3.2.12 Students examine the role of DNA in transferring
				  traits from generation to generation, in differentiating cells, and in evolving
				  new species.
Evolution
Grades 3-5
3.2.13 Students describe the fossil evidence and present
				  explanations that help us understand why there are differences among and
				  between present and past organisms.
Grades 6-8
3.2.14 Students describe the evidence that evolution occurs
				  over many generations, allowing species to acquire many of their unique
				  characteristics or adaptations.
Grades 9-Diploma
3.2.15 Students describe the interactions between and among
				  species, populations, and environments that lead to natural selection and
				  evolution.