NGSS Physical Science Curriculum Outline (High School)

Below is a basic outline of some of the possible topics to be included in the curriculum. It is by no means all inclusive and will need to be checked against local and NGSS standards.

The Physical Science curriculum is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental concepts and practices of physics and chemistry. The curriculum covers a range of topics including Matter: Structure and Properties, Chemical Reactions, Forces and Interactions, Energy, and Waves and Information.

  1. Matter: Structure and Properties: In this unit, students will learn about the properties and behavior of matter, including physical and chemical properties, the states of matter, and the changes that matter can undergo. They will also learn about the nature of atoms and molecules and their role in the structure of matter.

  2. Chemical Reactions: In this unit, students will learn about the types and properties of chemical reactions, how to balance chemical equations, and how to use the mole concept. They will also learn about the behavior of gases and solutions and the concepts of acid-base and oxidation-reduction reactions.

  3. Forces and Interactions: In this unit, students will learn about the different types of forces, including gravity, friction, and tension, and how they interact with objects and affect motion. They will also learn about Newton's laws of motion, work and energy, and momentum.

  4. Energy: In this unit, students will learn about the different forms of energy, including kinetic and potential energy, and how energy is transferred and transformed. They will also learn about the laws of thermodynamics, heat, and temperature.

  5. Waves and Information: In this unit, students will learn about the properties and behavior of waves, including electromagnetic waves and sound waves, and how they are used to transmit information. They will also learn about wave properties such as frequency, amplitude, and wavelength, as well as the wave nature of light and the physics of color.

Throughout the course, students will engage in hands-on laboratory activities and investigations to help them develop scientific inquiry and data analysis skills. They will also be encouraged to make connections between the Physical Science concepts they are learning and real-world applications. The curriculum also includes opportunities for group discussion, problem-solving and critical thinking, and interactive simulations and visualizations to support learning.

The above outline is the course at its whole under NGSS standards, it could be split into a Chemistry Course and a Physics Course.

 

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