Florida State Standards for Science: Grade 6

FL.SC.6.N. Nature of Science

SC.6.N.1. The Practice of Science - A: Scientific inquiry is a multifaceted activity; The processes of science include the formulation of scientifically investigable questions, construction of investigations into those questions, the collection of appropriate data, the evaluation of the meaning of those data, and the communication of this evaluation. B: The processes of science frequently do not correspond to the traditional portrayal of ''the scientific method.'' C: Scientific argumentation is a necessary part of scientific inquiry and plays an important role in the generation and validation of scientific knowledge. D: Scientific knowledge is based on observation and inference; it is important to recognize that these are very different things. Not only does science require creativity in its methods and processes, but also in its questions and explanations.

SC.6.N.1.1. Define a problem from the sixth grade curriculum, use appropriate reference materials to support scientific understanding, plan and carry out scientific investigation of various types, such as systematic observations or experiments, identify variables, collect and organize data, interpret data in charts, tables, and graphics, analyze information, make predictions, and defend conclusions. 4
Suggested Titles for Florida Science State Standard SC.6.N.1.1.

SC.6.N.1.2. Explain why scientific investigations should be replicable. 4
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SC.6.N.1.3. Explain the difference between an experiment and other types of scientific investigation, and explain the relative benefits and limitations of each. 4
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SC.6.N.1.4. Discuss, compare, and negotiate methods used, results obtained, and explanations among groups of students conducting the same investigation. 4
Suggested Titles for Florida Science State Standard SC.6.N.1.4.

SC.6.N.1.5. Recognize that science involves creativity, not just in designing experiments, but also in creating explanations that fit evidence. 4
Suggested Titles for Florida Science State Standard SC.6.N.1.5.

SC.6.N.2. The Characteristics of Scientific Knowledge - A: Scientific knowledge is based on empirical evidence, and is appropriate for understanding the natural world, but it provides only a limited understanding of the supernatural, aesthetic, or other ways of knowing, such as art, philosophy, or religion. B: Scientific knowledge is durable and robust, but open to change. C: Because science is based on empirical evidence it strives for objectivity, but as it is a human endeavor the processes, methods, and knowledge of science include subjectivity, as well as creativity and discovery.

SC.6.N.2.1. Distinguish science from other activities involving thought. 17
Suggested Titles for Florida Science State Standard SC.6.N.2.1.

SC.6.N.2.2. Explain that scientific knowledge is durable because it is open to change as new evidence or interpretations are encountered. 11
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SC.6.N.2.3. Recognize that scientists who make contributions to scientific knowledge come from all kinds of backgrounds and possess varied talents, interests, and goals. 8
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SC.6.N.3. The Role of Theories, Laws, Hypotheses, and Models - The terms that describe examples of scientific knowledge, for example; ''theory,'' ''law,'' ''hypothesis,'' and ''model'' have very specific meanings and functions within science.

SC.6.N.3.1. Recognize and explain that a scientific theory is a well-supported and widely accepted explanation of nature and is not simply a claim posed by an individual. Thus, the use of the term theory in science is very different than how it is used in everyday life. 13
Suggested Titles for Florida Science State Standard SC.6.N.3.1.

SC.6.N.3.2. Recognize and explain that a scientific law is a description of a specific relationship under given conditions in the natural world. Thus, scientific laws are different from societal laws. 13
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SC.6.N.3.3. Give several examples of scientific laws. 18
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SC.6.N.3.4. Identify the role of models in the context of the sixth grade science benchmarks. 23
Suggested Titles for Florida Science State Standard SC.6.N.3.4.

FL.SC.6.E. Earth and Space Science

SC.6.E.6. Earth Structures - Over geologic time, internal and external sources of energy have continuously altered the features of Earth by means of both constructive and destructive forces. All life, including human civilization, is dependent on Earth's internal and external energy and material resources.

SC.6.E.6.1. Describe and give examples of ways in which Earth's surface is built up and torn down by physical and chemical weathering, erosion, and deposition. 3
Suggested Titles for Florida Science State Standard SC.6.E.6.1.

SC.6.E.6.2. Recognize that there are a variety of different landforms on Earth's surface such as coastlines, dunes, rivers, mountains, glaciers, deltas, and lakes and relate these landforms as they apply to Florida. 15
Suggested Titles for Florida Science State Standard SC.6.E.6.2.

SC.6.E.7. .Earth Systems and Patterns - The scientific theory of the evolution of Earth states that changes in our planet are driven by the flow of energy and the cycling of matter through dynamic interactions among the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, geosphere, and biosphere, and the resources used to sustain human civilization on Earth.

SC.6.E.7.1. Differentiate among radiation, conduction, and convection, the three mechanisms by which heat is transferred through Earth's system. 6
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SC.6.E.7.2. Investigate and apply how the cycling of water between the atmosphere and hydrosphere has an effect on weather patterns and climate. 6
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SC.6.E.7.3. Describe how global patterns such as the jet stream and ocean currents influence local weather in measurable terms such as temperature, air pressure, wind direction and speed, and humidity and precipitation. 4
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SC.6.E.7.4. Differentiate and show interactions among the geosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. 12
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SC.6.E.7.5. Explain how energy provided by the sun influences global patterns of atmospheric movement and the temperature differences between air, water, and land. 6
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SC.6.E.7.6. Differentiate between weather and climate. 4
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SC.6.E.7.7. Investigate how natural disasters have affected human life in Florida. 5
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SC.6.E.7.8. Describe ways human beings protect themselves from hazardous weather and sun exposure. 9
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SC.6.E.7.9. Describe how the composition and structure of the atmosphere protects life and insulates the planet. 8
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SC.6.P.12. Motion of Objects - A. Motion is a key characteristic of all matter that can be observed, described, and measured. B. The motion of objects can be changed by forces.

SC.6.P.12.1. Measure and graph distance versus time for an object moving at a constant speed. Interpret this relationship. 14
Suggested Titles for Florida Science State Standard SC.6.P.12.1.

SC.6.P.13. Forces and Changes in Motion - A. It takes energy to change the motion of objects. B. Energy change is understood in terms of forces--pushes or pulls. C. Some forces act through physical contact, while others act at a distance.

SC.6.P.13.1. Investigate and describe types of forces including contact forces and forces acting at a distance, such as electrical, magnetic, and gravitational. 5
Suggested Titles for Florida Science State Standard SC.6.P.13.1.

SC.6.P.13.2. Explore the Law of Gravity by recognizing that every object exerts gravitational force on every other object and that the force depends on how much mass the objects have and how far apart they are. 4
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SC.6.P.13.3. Investigate and describe that an unbalanced force acting on an object changes its speed, or direction of motion, or both. 5
Suggested Titles for Florida Science State Standard SC.6.P.13.3.

FL.SC.6.P. Physical Science

SC.6.P.11. Energy Transfer and Transformations - A. Waves involve a transfer of energy without a transfer of matter. B. Water and sound waves transfer energy through a material. C. Light waves can travel through a vacuum and through matter. D. The Law of Conservation of Energy: Energy is conserved as it transfers from one object to another and from one form to another.

SC.6.P.11.1. Explore the Law of Conservation of Energy by differentiating between potential and kinetic energy. Identify situations where kinetic energy is transformed into potential energy and vice versa. 16
Suggested Titles for Florida Science State Standard SC.6.P.11.1.

FL.SC.6.L. Life Science

SC.6.L.14. Organization and Development of Living Organisms - A. All living things share certain characteristics. B. The scientific theory of cells, also called cell theory , is the a fundamental organizing principle of life on Earth. C. Life can be organized in a functional and structural hierarchy. D. Life is maintained by various physiological functions essential for growth, reproduction, and homeostasis.

SC.6.L.14.1. Describe and identify patterns in the hierarchical organization of organisms from atoms to molecules and cells to tissues to organs to organ systems to organisms. 16
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SC.6.L.14.2. Investigate and explain the components of the scientific theory of cells (cell theory): all organisms are composed of cells (single-celled or multi-cellular), all cells come from pre-existing cells, and cells are the basic unit of life. 15
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SC.6.L.14.3. Recognize and explore how cells of all organisms undergo similar processes to maintain homeostasis, including extracting energy from food, getting rid of waste, and reproducing. 15
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SC.6.L.14.4. Compare and contrast the structure and function of major organelles of plant and animal cells, including cell wall, cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm, chloroplasts, mitochondria, and vacuoles. 12
Suggested Titles for Florida Science State Standard SC.6.L.14.4.

SC.6.L.14.5. Identify and investigate the general functions of the major systems of the human body (digestive, respiratory, circulatory, reproductive, excretory, immune, nervous, and musculoskeletal) and describe ways these systems interact with each other to maintain homeostasis. 12
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SC.6.L.14.6. Compare and contrast types of infectious agents that may infect the human body, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. 10
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SC.6.L.15. Diversity and Evolution of Living Organisms - A. The scientific theory of evolution is the organizing principle of life science. B. The scientific theory of evolution is supported by multiple forms of evidence. C. Natural Selection is a primary mechanism leading to change over time in organisms.

SC.6.L.15.1. Analyze and describe how and why organisms are classified according to shared characteristics with emphasis on the Linnaean system combined with the concept of Domains. 4
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