Grade 5

The Nature of Science

Earth and Space Science

Physical Science

Life Science

The Practice of Science

Design, Process, and Problem Solving (STREAM)

Earth in Space and Time

Earth Structures

Earth Systems and Patterns

Properties of Matter

Changes in Matter

Forms of Energy

Energy Transfer and Transformations

Organization and Development of Living Organisms

Define a problem, use appropriate reference materials to support scientific understanding, plan and carry out scientific investigations of various types such as: systematic observations, experiments requiring the identification of variables, collecting and organizing data, interpreting data in charts, tables, and graphics, analyze information, make predictions, and defend conclusions.

Recognize and explain that science is grounded in empirical observations that are testable; explanation must always be linked with evidence.

Explain the difference between an experiment and other types of scientific investigation. Experiments are used to prove whether your hypothesis is right or wrong, while investigations are used to identify, explore , and solve problems. 

Recognize and explain the need for repeated experimental trials, and the evidence produced by those investigations should be replicable by others.

Identify a control group and explain its importance in an experiment.

Recognize and explain that authentic scientific investigation frequently does not parallel the steps of "the scientific method."

Recognize and explain the difference between personal opinion/interpretation and verified observation.

Understand how science properly limits its focus to "how" things physically exist and is not designed to answer issues of meaning, the value of things, or the mysteries of the human person.

Realize saints come from all walks of life, particularly those saints whose lives were engaged in scientific interests.

Identify several saints [engaged in science] who devoted themselves to the sacramental life of the Church and inspire us to lead good lives.

Identify, research and describe several selected saints from different historical periods in the Church, share how their lives are examples of God's call to service, explain their appreciation for the sacraments and reflect on how their lives fostered the growth of the Church.

Associate every right with a corresponding responsibility.

Determine ways to show appreciation for jobs of those in the local community.

Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost. 

Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem. 

Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.

Identify ways to show respect for the work of others.

Evaluate how homework and home/classroom responsibilities help build respect for the value of work.

Participate in service projects and reflect on how service continues in building the Kingdom of God on earth.

Explore the term "social" sin and associate it with a problem in our society.

Identify ways to alleviate problems of hunger, disease, and poverty due to social sin.

Understand there are multiple clasifications of galaxies, discovered and yet to be discovered; the understanding of space is the result of ongoing exploration.

Compare and contrast the major common characteristics of all planets and the properties of inner and outer planets.

Explain ways in which Earth's surface is built up and torn down by physical and chemical weathering, erosion, and deposition.

Describe the layers of the solid Earth, including the lithosphere, the hot convecting mantle, and the dense metallic liquid and solid cores.

Identify the patterns within the rock cycle and relate them to surface events (weathering and erosion) and sub-surface events (plate tectonics and mountain building).

Recognize that heat flow and movement of material within Earth causes earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and creates mountains and ocean basins.

Explain the parts of the water cycle; i.e. water can be a gas, a liquid, or a solid and can go back and forth from one state to another.

Recognize that the ocean is an integral part of the water cycle and is connected to all of Earth's water reservoirs via evaporation and precipitation processes.

Recognize how air temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, wind speed and direction, and precipitation determine the weather in a particular place and time.

Distinguish among the various forms of precipitation (rain, snow, sleet, and hail), making connections to the weather in a particular place and time.

Describe characteristics (temperature and precipitation) of different climate zones as they relate to latitude, elevation, and proximity to bodies of water.

Demonstrate and explain that mixtures of solids can be separated based on observable properties of their parts such as particle size, shape, color, and magnetic attraction.

Investigate and identify materials that will dissolve in water and those that will not and identify the conditions that will speed up or slow down the dissolving process.

Explore the scientific theory of atoms (also called atomic theory) by recognizing that all matter is composed of parts that are too small to be seen without magnification.

Investigate and evaluate that many physical and chemical changes are affected by temperature.

Evaluate forms of energy, including light, heat, sound, electrical, chemical, and mechanical.

Recognize that an electrically-charged object can attract an uncharged object and can either attract or repel another charged object without any contact between the objects.

Recognize that electrical energy can be transformed into heat, light, and sound energy, as well as the energy of motion.

Investigate and illustrate the fact that the flow of electricity requires a closed circuit (a complete loop).

Classify materials that conduct electricity and materials that do not.

Compare and contrast the function of organs and other physical structures of plants and animals, including humans, for example: some animals have skeletons for support -- some with internal skeletons others with exoskeletons -- while some plants have stems for support.

Care for the gift of our bodies.

Recognize we are all members of the Body of Christ and are called to work together to build the Kingdom of God.

Describe how, when the environment changes, differences between individuals allow some plants and animals to survive and reproduce while others die or move to new locations.

Compare and contrast adaptations displayed by animals and plants that enable them to survive in different environments such as life cycles variations, animal behaviors and physical characteristics.

List ways that one is called to respond as a responsible steward, given the knowledge that all creation is sacred.