Understanding a Scientifically Advanced World
We are surrounded by technology and the products of science every day. So, it is no surprise that the immensely complex natural world that surrounds us illustrates infinite scientific concepts. As our students grow up in an increasingly technologically and scientifically advanced world, they need to be scientifically literate to succeed.
Through the study of multiple major scientific concepts, students build the essential skills to think, learn, solve problems, and make informed decisions. These skills are integral to every aspect of a student’s education and life, from school to career.
The Science standards for grades 6-12 illustrate what your child will learn by the end of each grade, as directed by the Iowa Core, our statewide academic standards. The Science Iowa Core standards focus on many major scientific concepts as outlined in the middle school and high school Science learning outcomes below.
In middle school, there is a greater focus on science and engineering practices, crosscutting concepts, and scientific structures.
In high school, students take required courses, which weave together the Iowa Science standards and core science ideas with scientific and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts to support students in developing useable knowledge to explain ideas across all the science disciplines: life, earth, and physical.