Colorado Model Content Standards: Science

The Colorado Model Content Standards for Science specify what all students should know and be able to do in science as a result of their school studies. Specific expectations are given for students completing grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Five standards outline the essential level of science knowledge and skills needed by Colorado citizens to participate productively in an increasingly technological society: (1) Students apply the processes of scientific investigation and design, conduct, communicate about, and evaluate such investigations; (2) Physical Science: Students know and understand common properties, forms, and changes in matter and energy (Focus: Physics, Chemistry); (3) Life Science: Students know and understand the characteristics and structure of living things, the processes of life, and how living things interact with each other and their environment. (Focus: Biology, Anatomy, Physiology, Botany, Zoology, Ecology); (4) Earth and Space Science: Students know and understand the processes and interactions of Earth's systems and the structure and dynamics of Earth and other objects in space. (Focus: Geology, Meteorology, Astronomy, Oceanography); and (5) Students understand that the nature of science involves a particular way of building knowledge and making. Rationale and benchmarks for each standard are discussed. A glossary of terms, index, and lists of original task force members and revision contributors are included. [This document was produced by the Colorado Department of Education's Office of Learning and Results. For previous version, see ED427977.]