National Science
Education Standards

Grades 5-8:

Science as Inquiry
(Content Standard A)

• Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
• Understanding about scientific inquiry

Life Science (Content Standard C)

• Structure and function in living systems
• Regulation and behavior
• Populations and ecosystems
• Diversity and adaptations or organisms

Science and Technology (Content Standard E)

• Abilities of technological design

Science in Personal and Social Perspectives (Content Standard F)

• Personal health
• Science and technology in society

History and Nature of Science (Content Standard G)

• Science as a human endeavor
• Nature of science
• History of science

Grades 9-12:

Science as Inquiry (Content Standard A)

• Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
• Understanding about scientific inquiry

Life Science (Content Standard C)

• Interdependence of organisms
• Matter, energy and organization in living systems
• Behavior of organisms

Science and Technology (Content Standard E)

• Understandings about science and technology

Science in Personal and Social Perspectives (Content Standard F)

• Personal and community health
• Natural resources
• Environmental quality
• Science and technology in local, national and global challenges

History and Nature of Science (Content Standard G)

• Science as a human endeavor
• Nature of scientific knowledge
• Historical perspectives

Return to Top

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Science
Texas Education Agency
Elementary Grade Camps

Grade Four Science Concepts

(5) The student knows that complex systems may not work if some parts are removed. The student is expected to:

(A) Identify and describe the roles of some organisms in living systems such as plants in a schoolyard, and parts in nonliving systems such as a light bulb in a circuit.

(8) The student knows that adaptations may increase the survival of members of a species. The student is expected to:

(A) Identify characteristics that allow members within a species to survive and reproduce.

Grade 5 Science Concepts

(9) The student knows that adaptations may increase the survival of members of a species. The student is expected to:

(A) Compare the adaptive characteristics of species that improve their ability to survive and reproduce in an ecosystem.

(B) Analyze and describe adaptive characteristics that result in an organism's unique niche in an ecosystem.

(C) Predict some adaptive characteristics required for survival and reproduction by an organism in an ecosystem.

(10) The student knows that likenesses between offspring and parents can be inherited or learned. The student is expected to:

(A) Identify traits that are inherited from parent to offspring in plants and animals.

(B) Give examples of learned characteristics that result from the influence of the environment.

Return to Top

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Science
Texas Education Agency
Middle School Camps

Grade 6 Science Concepts

(10) The student knows the relationship between structure and function in living systems. The student is expected to:

(C) Identify how structure complements function at different levels of organization including organs, organ systems, organisms, and populations.

(12) The student knows that the responses of organisms are caused by internal or external stimuli. The student is expected to:

(C) Identify components of an ecosystem to which organisms may respond.

Grade 7 Science Concepts

(9)The student knows the relationship between structure and function in living systems. The student is expected to:

(B) Describe how organisms maintain stable internal conditions while living in changing external environments.

(12) The student knows that there is a relationship between organisms and the environment. The student is expected to:

(A) Identify components of an ecosystem.

(B) Observe and describe how organisms including producers, consumers, and decomposers live together in an environment and use existing resources.

(C) Describe how different environments support different varieties of organisms.

Grade 8 Science Concepts

(6) The student knows that interdependence occurs among living systems. The student is expected to:

(C) Describe interactions within ecosystems.

Return to Top

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Science
Texas Education Agency
High School Camps

High School Biology: Science Concepts

(3) The student uses critical thinking and scientific problem solving to make informed decisions. The student is expected to:

(D) describe the connection between biology and future careers.

 (12) The student knows that interdependence and interactions occur within an ecosystem. The student is expected to:

(B) Interpret interactions among organisms exhibiting predation, parasitism, commensalisms, and mutualism.

(C) Compare variations, tolerances, and adaptations of plants and animals in different biomes.

(E) Investigate and explain the interactions in an ecosystem including food chains, food webs, and food pyramids.

High School Aquatic Science: Science Concepts

(3) The student uses critical thinking and scientific problem solving to make informed decisions. The student is expected to:

(D) Describe the connection between aquatic science and future careers.

(4) The student knows the components of aquatic ecosystems. The student is expected to:

(B) Research and identify biological, chemical, geological, and physical components of an aquatic ecosystem; and

(C) Collect and analyze baseline quantitative data such as pH, salinity, temperature, mineral content, nitrogen compounds, and turbidity from an aquatic environment.

High School Environmental Systems: Science Concepts

(3) The student uses critical thinking and scientific problem solving to make informed decisions. The student is expected to:

(D) Describe the connection between environmental science and future careers.

 (4) The student knows the relationships of biotic and abiotic factors within habitats, ecosystems, and biomes. The student is expected to:

(A) Identify indigenous plants and animals, assess their role within an ecosystem, and compare them to plants and animals in other ecosystems and biomes.

(E) Predict changes that may occur in an ecosystem if biodiversity is increased or reduced.

Return to Top