Elective	Elective	Elective	Elective	Elective	Elective
Twelfth Grade Benchmark Standards	Anatomy & Physiology	Sports Medicine	Oceanography	Astronomy	Environmental Science	Robotics
3.1.12 Unifying Themes
A.   Apply concepts of systems, subsystems, feedback and control to solve complex technological problems.	N	N	N	D	N
Apply knowledge of control systems concept by designing and modeling control systems that solve specific problems.
Apply systems analysis to predict results.				ü
Analyze and describe the function, interaction and relationship among subsystems and the system itself				ü
Compare and contrast several systems that could be applied to solve a single problem.
Evaluate the causes of a system’s inefficiency.
B.   Apply concepts of models as a method to predict and understand science and technology.	N	N	N	D	N
Evaluate technological processes by collecting data and applying mathematical models (e.g., process control).				ü
Apply knowledge of complex physical models to interpret data and apply mathematical models.				ü
Appraise the importance of computer models in interpreting science and technological systems.				ü
C.   Assess and apply patterns in science and technology.	N	N	N	D	N
Assess and apply recurring patterns in natural and technological systems.				ü
Compare and contrast structure and function relationships as they relate to patterns.				ü
Assess patterns in nature using mathematical formulas.				ü
D.    Analyze scale as a way of relating concepts and ideas to one another by some measure.	N	N	N	D	N
Compare and contrast various forms of dimensional analysis.				ü
Assess the use of several units of measurement to the same problem.				ü
Analyze and apply appropriate measurement scales when collecting data.				ü
E.   Evaluate change in nature, physical systems and man made systems.	B	N	D	D	B
Evaluate fundamental science and technology concepts and their development over time (e.g., DNA, cellular respiration, unified field theory, energy measurement, automation, miniaturization, Copernican and Ptolemaic universe theories).			ü	ü	ü
Analyze how models, systems and technologies have changed over time (e.g., germ theory, theory of evolution, solar system, cause of fire).	ü			ü
Explain how correlation of variables does not necessarily imply causation.
Evaluate the patterns of change within a technology (e.g., changes in engineering in the automotive industry).
3.2.12 Inquiry and Design
A.   Evaluate the nature of scientific and technological knowledge.	S	N	D	D	S
Know and use the ongoing scientific processes to continually improve and better understand how things work.	ü		ü	ü	ü
Critically evaluate the status of existing theories (e.g., germ theory of disease, wave theory of light, classification of subatomic particles, theory of evolution, epidemiology of aids).	ü		ü	ü	ü
B.    Evaluate experimental information for appropriateness and adherence to relevant science processes.	S	N	N	D	S
Evaluate experimental data correctly within experimental limits.	ü				ü
Judge that conclusions are consistent and logical with experimental conditions.	ü				ü
Interpret results of experimental research to predict new information or improve a solution.	ü			ü	ü
3.3.12 Biological Sciences
A.   Explain the relationship between structure and function at all levels of organization.	S	N	S	N	S
Identify and explain interactions among organisms (e.g., mutually beneficial, harmful relationships).	ü		ü		ü
Explain and analyze the relationship between structure and function at the molecular, cellular and organ-system level.	ü		ü		ü
Describe and explain structural and functional relationships in each of the five (or six) kingdoms.			ü		ü
Explain significant biological diversity found in each of the biomes.			ü		ü
B.    Analyze the chemical and structural basis of living organisms.	S	D	D	N	D
Identify and describe factors affecting metabolic function (e.g., temperature, acidity, hormones).	ü	ü			ü
Evaluate metabolic activities using experimental knowledge of enzymes.	ü
Evaluate relationships between structure and functions of different anatomical parts given their structure.	ü	ü	ü
Describe potential impact of genome research on the biochemistry and physiology of life.	ü
C.    Explain gene inheritance and expression at the molecular level.	D	N	D	N	N
Analyze gene expression at the molecular level.
Describe the roles of nucleic acids in cellular reproduction and protein synthesis.	ü
Describe genetic engineering techniques, applications and impacts.			ü
Explain birth defects from the standpoint of embryological development and/or changes in genetic makeup.	ü
D.    Analyze the theory of evolution.	D	N	S	N	S
Examine human history by describing the progression from early hominids to modern humans.	ü
Apply the concept of natural selection as a central concept in illustrating evolution theory.	ü		ü		ü
3.4.12  Physical Science, Chemistry and Physics
A.   Apply concepts about the structure and properties of matter.	N	N	S	N	N
Apply rules of systematic nomenclature and formula writing to chemical substances.
Classify and describe, in equation form, types of chemical and nuclear reactions.
Explain how radioactive isotopes that are subject to decay can be used to estimate the age of materials.
Explain how the forces that bind solids, liquids and gases affect their properties.			ü
Characterize and identify important classes of compounds (e.g., acids, bases, salts).			ü
Apply the conservation of energy concept to fields as diverse as mechanics, nuclear particles and studies of the origin of the universe.			ü
Apply the predictability of nuclear decay to estimate the age of materials that contain radioactive isotopes.
Quantify the properties of matter (e.g., density, solubility coefficients) by applying mathematical formulas.
B.    Apply and analyze energy sources and conversions and their relationship to heat and temperature.	N	N	N	N	D
Determine the heat involved in illustrative chemical reactions.
Evaluate mathematical formulas that calculate the efficiency of specific chemical and mechanical systems.					ü
Use knowledge of oxidation and reduction to balance complex reactions
Apply appropriate thermodynamic concepts (e.g., conservation, entropy) to solve problems relating to energy and heat.
C.    Apply the principles of motion and force.	N	N	B	N	N
Evaluate wave properties of frequency, wavelength and speed as applied to sound and light through different media.			ü
Propose and produce modifications to specific mechanical power systems that will improve their efficiency.
Analyze the principles of translational motion, velocity and acceleration as they relate to free fall and projectile motion.
Analyze the principles of rotational motion to solve problems relating to angular momentum, and torque.
Interpret a model that illustrates circular motion and acceleration.
Describe inertia, motion, equilibrium, and action/reaction concepts through words, models and mathematical symbols.
D.    Analyze the essential ideas about the composition and structure of the universe.	N	N	D	S	N
Analyze the Big Bang Theory’s use of gravitation and nuclear reaction to explain a possible origin of the universe.			ü	ü
Compare the use of visual, radio and x-ray telescopes to collect data regarding the structure and evolution of the universe.				ü
Correlate the use of the special theory of relativity and the life of a star.			ü	ü
3.5.12  Earth Sciences
A.   Analyze and evaluate earth features and processes that change the earth.	N	N	D	N	D
Apply knowledge of geophysical processes to explain the formation and degradation of earth structures (e.g., mineral deposition, cave formations, soil composition).					ü
Interpret geological evidence supporting evolution.			ü		ü
Apply knowledge of radioactive decay to assess the age of various earth features and objects.
B.    Analyze the availability, location and extraction of earth resources.	N	N	D	N	D
Describe how the location of earth’s major resources has affected a country’s strategic decisions.			ü		ü
Compare locations of earth features and country boundaries.
Analyze the impact of resources (e.g., coal deposits, rivers) on the life of Pennsylvania’s settlements and cities.			ü		ü
C.    Analyze atmospheric energy transfers.	N	N	D	N	D
Describe how weather and climate involve the transfer of energy in and out of the atmosphere.			ü		ü
Explain how unequal heating of the air, ocean and land produces wind and ocean currents.			ü
Analyze the energy transformations that occur during the greenhouse effect and predict the long-term effects of increased pollutant levels in the atmosphere.			ü		ü
Analyze the mechanisms that drive a weather phenomena (e.g., El Nino, hurricane, tornado) using the correlation of three methods of heat energy transfer.			ü
D.    Analyze the principles and history of hydrology.	N	N	D	N	S
Analyze the operation and effectiveness of a water purification and desalination system.			ü		ü
Evaluate the pros and cons of surface water appropriation for commercial and electrical use.			ü		ü
Analyze the historical development of water use in Pennsylvania (e.g., recovery of Lake Erie).			ü		ü
Compare the marine life and type of water found in the intertidal, neritic and bathyal zones.			ü
3.6.12  Technology Education
A.   Analyze biotechnologies that relate to propagating, growing, maintaining, adapting, treating and converting.	B	N	D, S	N	D, S
Analyze and solve a complex production process problem using biotechnologies (e.g., hydroponics, fish farming, crop propagation).			ü		ü
Analyze specific examples where engineering has impacted society in protection, personal health application or physical enhancement.	ü		ü		ü
Appraise and evaluate the cause and effect and subsequent environmental, economic and societal impacts that result from biomass and biochemical conversion.			ü		ü
Evaluate and apply biotechnical processes to complex plant and animal production methods.			ü		ü
Apply knowledge of biochemical-related technologies to propose alternatives to hazardous waste treatment.			ü		ü
apply knowledge of agricultural science to solve or improve a biochemical related problem.					ü
B.    Analyze knowledge of information technologies of processes encoding, transmitting, receiving, storing, retrieving and decoding.	N	N	N	N	N
Apply and analyze advanced information techniques to produce a complex image that effectively conveys a message (e.g., desktop publishing, audio and/or video production).
Analyze and evaluate a message designed and produced using still, motion and animated communication techniques.
Describe the operation of fiber optic, microwave and satellite informational systems.
Apply various graphic and electronic information techniques to solve real world problems (e.g., data organization and analysis, forecasting, interpolation).
C.     Analyze physical technologies of structural design, analysis and engineering, personnel relations, financial affairs, structural production, marketing, research and design to real world problems.	N	N	D	N	D
Apply knowledge of construction technology by designing, planning and applying all the necessary resources to successfully solve a construction problem.			ü
Compare resource options in solving a specific manufacturing problem.					ü
Analyze and apply complex skills needed to process materials in complex manufacturing enterprises.
Apply advanced information collection and communication techniques to successfully convey solutions to specific construction problems.
Assess the importance of capital on specific construction applications.
Analyze the positive and negative qualities of several different types of materials as they would relate to specific construction applications.
Analyze transportation technologies of propelling, structuring, suspending, guiding, controlling and supporting.
Analyze the concepts of vehicular propulsion, guidance, control, suspension and structural systems while designing and producing specific complex transportation systems.
3.7.12  Technichological Devises
A.      Apply advanced tools, materials and techniques to answer complex questions.	N	N	D	N	D
Demonstrate the safe use of complex tools and machines within their specifications.			ü
Select and safely apply appropriate tools, materials and processes necessary to solve complex problems that could result in more than one solution.
Evaluate and use technological resources to solve complex multi-step problems.					ü
B.        Evaluate appropriate instruments and apparatus to accurately measure materials and processes.	D	N	N	N	D
Apply and evaluate the use of appropriate instruments to accurately measure scientific and technologic phenomena within the error limits of the equipment.	ü				ü
Evaluate the appropriate use of different measurement scales (macro and micro).
Evaluate the utility and advantages of a variety of absolute and relative measurement scales for their appropriate application.
3.8.12 Science, Technology and Human Endevors
A.   Synthesize and evaluate the interactions and constraints of science and technology on society.	D	N	D	D	D
Compare and contrast how scientific and technological knowledge is both shared and protected.					ü
Evaluate technological developments that have changed the way humans do work and discuss their impacts (e.g., genetically engineered crops).	ü		ü		ü
Evaluate socially proposed limitations of scientific research and technological application.	ü				ü
B.    Apply the use of ingenuity and technological resources to solve specific societal needs and improve the quality of life.	D	N	D	N	D
Apply appropriate tools, materials and processes to solve complex problems.
Use knowledge of human abilities to design or modify technologies that extend and enhance human abilities.	ü		ü		ü
Apply appropriate tools, materials and processes to physical, informational or biotechnological systems to identify and recommend solutions to international problems.					ü
Apply knowledge of agricultural science to develop a solution that will improve on a human need or want.			ü		ü
C.    Evaluate the consequences and impacts of scientific and technological solutions.	D	N	S	N	D, S
Propose solutions to specific scientific and technological applications, identifying possible financial considerations.					ü
Analyze scientific and technological solutions through the use of risk/benefit analysis.			ü		ü
Analyze and communicate the positive or negative impacts that a recent technological invention had on society.			ü		ü
Evaluate and describe potential impacts from emerging technologies and the consequences of not keeping abreast of technological advancements (e.g., assessment alternatives, risks,   benefits, costs, economic impacts, constraints).					ü
4.1.12  Watersheds and Wetlands
A.   Categorize stream order in a watershed.	N	N	N	N	S
Explain the concept of stream order.					ü
Identify the order of watercourses within a major river’s watershed.					ü
Compare and contrast the physical differences found in the stream continuum from headwater to mouth.					ü
B.    Explain the relationships that exist within watersheds in the United States.	N	N	S	N	S
Understand that various ecosystems may be contained in a watershed.			ü		ü
Examine and describe the ecosystems contained within a specific watershed.			ü		ü
Identify and describe the major watersheds in the United States.			ü		ü
C.    Analyze the parameters of a watershed.	N	N		N	S
Interpret physical, chemical and biological data as a means of assessing the environmental quality of a watershed.					ü
Apply appropriate techniques in the analysis of a watershed (e.g., water quality, biological diversity, erosion, sedimentation).					ü
D.    Analyze the complex and diverse ecosystems of wetlands.	N	N	S	N	S
Explain the functions of habitat, nutrient production, migration stopover and groundwater recharge as it relates to wetlands.			ü		ü
Explain the dynamics of a wetland ecosystem.			ü		ü
Describe and analyze different types of wetlands.			ü		ü
E.     Evaluate the trade-offs, costs and benefits of conserving watersheds and wetlands.	N	N	S	N	S
Evaluate the effects of natural events on watershed and wetlands.			ü		ü
Evaluate the effects of human activities on watersheds and wetlands.			ü		ü
4.2.12  Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources