Connecticut State Standards for Science: Grade 9

CT.SI. Scientific Inquiry: Scientific inquiry is a thoughtful and coordinated attempt to search out, describe, explain and predict natural phenomena. Scientific inquiry progresses through a continuous process of questioning, data collection, analysis and interpretation. Scientific inquiry requires the sharing of findings and ideas for critical review by colleagues and other scientists.

D.INQ.1. Identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigation.

D.INQ.2. Read, interpret and examine the credibility and validity of scientific claims in different sources of information.

D.INQ.3. Formulate a testable hypothesis and demonstrate logical connections between the scientific concepts guiding the hypothesis and the design of the experiment.

D.INQ.4. Design and conduct appropriate types of scientific investigations to answer different questions.

D.INQ.5. Identify independent and dependent variables, including those that are kept constant and those used as controls.

D.INQ.6. Use appropriate tools and techniques to make observations and gather data.

D.INQ.7. Assess the reliability of the data that was generated in the investigation.

D.INQ.8. Use mathematical operations to analyze and interpret data, and present relationships between variables in appropriate forms.

D.INQ.9. Articulate conclusions and explanations based on research data, and assess results based on the design of the investigation.

D.INQ.10. Communicate about science in different formats, using relevant science vocabulary, supporting evidence and clear logic.

CT.SL. Scientific Literacy: Scientific literacy includes the ability to read, write, discuss and present coherent ideas about science. Scientific literacy also includes the ability to search for and assess the relevance and credibility of scientific information found in various print and electronic media.

D.INQ.1. Identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigation.

D.INQ.2. Read, interpret and examine the credibility and validity of scientific claims in different sources of information.

D.INQ.3. Formulate a testable hypothesis and demonstrate logical connections between the scientific concepts guiding the hypothesis and the design of the experiment.

D.INQ.4. Design and conduct appropriate types of scientific investigations to answer different questions.

D.INQ.5. Identify independent and dependent variables, including those that are kept constant and those used as controls.

D.INQ.6. Use appropriate tools and techniques to make observations and gather data.

D.INQ.7. Assess the reliability of the data that was generated in the investigation.

D.INQ.8. Use mathematical operations to analyze and interpret data, and present relationships between variables in appropriate forms.

D.INQ.9. Articulate conclusions and explanations based on research data, and assess results based on the design of the investigation.

D.INQ.10. Communicate about science in different formats, using relevant science vocabulary, supporting evidence and clear logic.

CT.SN. Scientific Numeracy: Scientific numeracy includes the ability to use mathematical operations and procedures to calculate, analyze and present scientific data and ideas.

D.INQ.1. Identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigation.

D.INQ.2. Read, interpret and examine the credibility and validity of scientific claims in different sources of information.

D.INQ.3. Formulate a testable hypothesis and demonstrate logical connections between the scientific concepts guiding the hypothesis and the design of the experiment.

D.INQ.4. Design and conduct appropriate types of scientific investigations to answer different questions.

D.INQ.5. Identify independent and dependent variables, including those that are kept constant and those used as controls.

D.INQ.6. Use appropriate tools and techniques to make observations and gather data.

D.INQ.7. Assess the reliability of the data that was generated in the investigation.

D.INQ.8. Use mathematical operations to analyze and interpret data, and present relationships between variables in appropriate forms.

D.INQ.9. Articulate conclusions and explanations based on research data, and assess results based on the design of the investigation.

D.INQ.10. Communicate about science in different formats, using relevant science vocabulary, supporting evidence and clear logic.

CT.9.1. Energy Transformations: Energy Transfer and Transformations: Energy cannot be created or destroyed; however, energy can be converted from one form to another.

D.1. Describe the effects of adding energy to matter in terms of the motion of atoms and molecules, and the resulting phase changes.

D.2. Explain how energy is transferred by conduction, convection and radiation.

D.3. Describe energy transformations among heat, light, electricity and motion.

CT.9.2. Energy Transformations: Energy Transfer and Transformations: The electrical force is a universal force that exists between any two charged objects.

D.4. Explain the relationship among voltage, current and resistance in a simple series circuit.

D.5. Explain how electricity is used to produce heat and light in incandescent bulbs and heating elements.

D.6. Describe the relationship between current and magnetism.

CT.9.3. Energy Transformations: Science and Technology in Society: Various sources of energy are used by humans and all have advantages and disadvantages.

D.7. Explain how heat is used to generate electricity.

D.8. Describe the availability, current uses and environmental issues related to the use of fossil and nuclear fuels to produce electricity.

D.9. Describe the availability, current uses and environmental issues related to the use of hydrogen fuel cells, wind and solar energy to produce electricity.

CT.9.4. Chemical Structures and Properties: Properties of Matter: Atoms react with one another to form new molecules.

D.10. Describe the general structure of the atom, and explain how the properties of the first 20 elements in the Periodic Table are related to their atomic structures.

D.11. Describe how atoms combine to form new substances by transferring electrons (ionic bonding) or sharing electrons (covalent bonding).

D.12. Explain the chemical composition of acids and bases, and explain the change of pH in neutralization reactions.

CT.9.5. Chemical Structures and Properties: Properties of Matter: Due to its unique chemical structure, carbon forms many organic and inorganic compounds.

D.13. Explain how the structure of the carbon atom affects the type of bonds it forms in organic and inorganic molecules.

D.14. Describe combustion reactions of hydrocarbons and their resulting by-products.

D.15. Explain the general formation and structure of carbon-based polymers, including synthetic polymers, such as polyethylene, and biopolymers, such as carbohydrate.

CT.9.6. Chemical Structure and Properties: Science and Technology in Society: Chemical technologies present both risks and benefits to the health and well-being of humans, plants and animals.

D.16. Explain how simple chemical monomers can be combined to create linear, branched and/or cross-linked polymers.

D.17. Explain how the chemical structure of polymers affects their physical properties.

D.18. Explain the short- and long-term impacts of landfills and incineration of waste materials on the quality of the environment.

CT.9.7. Chemical Structure and Properties: The Changing Earth: Elements on Earth move among reservoirs in the solid earth, oceans, atmosphere and organisms as part of biogeochemical cycles.

D.19. Explain how chemical and physical processes cause carbon to cycle through the major earth reservoirs.

D.20. Explain how solar energy causes water to cycle through the major earth reservoirs.

D.21. Explain how internal energy of the Earth causes matter to cycle through the magma and the solid earth.

CT.9.8. Chemical Structure and Properties: Science and Technology in Society: The use of resources by human populations may affect the quality of the environment.

D.22. Explain how the release of sulfur dioxide (SO2) into the atmosphere can form acid rain, and how acid rain affects water sources, organisms and human-made structures.

D.23. Explain how the accumulation of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere increases Earth's 'greenhouse' effect and may cause climate changes.

D.24. Explain how the accumulation of mercury, phosphates and nitrates affects the quality of water and the organisms that live in rivers, lakes and oceans.

CT.9.9. Chemical Structure and Properties: Science and Technology in Society: Some materials can be recycled, but others accumulate in the environment and may affect the balance of the Earth systems.

D.25. Explain how land development, transportation options and consumption of resources may affect the environment.

D.26. Describe human efforts to reduce the consumption of raw materials and improve air and water quality.