The Coordinated and Thematic Science (CATS) Six objectives demonstrate, differentiate, and apply concepts of the living and designed worlds. Through a spiraling, inquiry-based program of study, all students will demonstrate scientific literacy in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, and earth and space sciences. The subject matter is delivered through a coordinated, integrated approach with an emphasis on the development of major science themes of systems, changes and models. Students will engage in active inquiries, investigations and hands-on activities for a minimum of 50% of the instructional time to develop conceptual understanding and research/laboratory skills. Safety instruction is integrated in all activities. CATS Six reviews changes in the properties of matter, structures, functions and adaptations of organisms, and the structure of the earth's systems. New major concepts introduced at the sixth grade level include motions and forces, ecosystems, diversity of life, energy transformations, plate tectonics, earth's resources and weather. West Virginia teachers are responsible for analyzing the benefits of technology for learning and for integrating technology appropriately in the students' learning environment. See the related grade-level Technology Standards and Objectives.

Standard 1: History and the Nature of Science Objectives
Students will:

SC6.1.1	explain that scientists formulate and test their explanations of nature using observation and experiments.
SC6.1.2	recognize that scientific knowledge is subject to modification as new scientific information challenges current theories.

Standard 2: Science as Inquiry Objectives
Students will:

SC6.2.1	cooperate and collaborate to ask questions, find answers, solve problems, conduct investigations to further an appreciation of scientific discovery.
SC6.2.2	formulate conclusions through close observations, logical reasoning, objectivity, perseverance and integrity in data collection.
SC6.2.3	apply skepticism, careful methods, logical reasoning and creativity in investigating the observable universe.
SC6.2.4	use a variety of materials and scientific instruments to conduct explorations, investigations and experiments of the natural world (e.g., barometer, anemometer, microscope, computer).
SC6.2.5	demonstrate safe techniques for handling, manipulating and caring for science materials, equipment, natural specimens and living organisms.
SC6.2.6	utilize experimentation to demonstrate scientific processes and thinking skills (e.g., formulating questions, predicting, forming hypotheses, quantifying, identifying dependent and independent variables).
SC6.2.7	construct and use charts, graphs and tables to organize, display, interpret, analyze and explain data.
SC6.2.8	use inferential reasoning to make logical conclusions from collected data.
SC6.2.9	use appropriate technology solutions to gather data; graph data; interpret data; and analyze information.

Standard 3: Unifying Themes Objectives
Students will:

SC6.3.1	compare and contrast the relationship between the parts of a system to the whole system (e.g., take apart or build mechanical, electrical, or biological systems).
SC6.3.3	compare and contrast changes that occur in an object or a system to its original state.

Standard 4: Science Subject Matter/Concepts Objectives
Students will:

SC6.4.1	demonstrate an understanding of the interconnections of biological, earth and space and physical science concepts.
Structure and Function in Living Systems
SC6.4.2	describe the interactions of various cycles that provide energy through decomposition, photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration in the food web; nitrogen cycle.
SC6.4.3	classify living organisms according to their structure and functions.
Populations and Ecosystems
SC6.4.8	demonstrate changes in populations of organisms due to limiting environmental factors (e.g., food supply, predators, disease, habitat).
SC6.4.9	analyze the ecological consequences of human interactions with the environment (e.g., renewable and non-renewable resources).

Standard 5: Scientific Design and Application
Students will:

*	demonstrate an understanding of the interdependence between science and technology;
*	demonstrate the ability to utilize technology to gather data and communicate designs, results and conclusions.

Standard 6: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives Objectives
Students will:

SC6.6.1	use scientific reasoning and the knowledge of science and technology to make informed personal decisions at the local and global levels.
SC6.6.3	critically analyze the effects and impacts of science and technology on global and local problems (e.g., mining, manufacturing, recycling, farming, water quality).
SC6.6.5	analyze the positive and negative effects of technology on society and the influence of societal pressures on the direction of technological advances

The Coordinated and Thematic Science (CATS) Seven objectives evaluate, interpret, and predict conditions and phenomena of the living and designed worlds. Through a spiraling, inquiry-based program of study, all students will demonstrate scientific literacy in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics and earth and space sciences. The subject matter is delivered through a coordinated, integrated approach with an emphasis on the development of the major science themes of systems, changes and models. Students will engage in active inquiries, investigations and hands-on activities for a minimum of 50% of the instructional time to develop conceptual understanding and research/laboratory skills. Safety instruction is integrated into all activities. CATS Seven reviews motions and forces, ecosystems, diversity of life, energy transformations, plate tectonics, earth's resources and weather. Major concepts expanded at the seventh grade level include elements, mixtures, and compounds, populations/ecosystems, conservation of matter and energy and earth's history. West Virginia teachers are responsible for analyzing the benefits of technology for learning and for integrating technology appropriately in the students' learning environment. See the related grade -level Technology Standards and Objectives.

Standard 1: History and the Nature of Science Objectives
Students will:

SC7.1.1	realize that scientists formulate and test their explanations of nature using observation, experiments and theoretical models.
SC7.1.2	recognize and appreciate that scientific knowledge is subject to modification as new scientific information challenges current theories.
SC7.1.3	examine the role of skepticism, careful methods, logical reasoning and creativity in investigating the observable universe.

Standard 2: Science as Inquiry Objectives
Students will:

SC7.2.1	cooperate and collaborate to ask questions, find answers, solve problems, conduct investigations to further an appreciation of scientific discovery.
SC7.2.2	formulate conclusions through close observations, logical reasoning, objectivity, perseverance and integrity in data collection.
SC7.2.3	use a variety of materials and scientific instruments to conduct explorations, investigations and experiments of the natural world (e.g., barometer, anemometer, microscope, computer).
SC7.2.4	demonstrate safe techniques for handling, manipulating and caring for science materials, equipment, natural specimens and living organisms.
SC7.2.5	utilize experimentation to demonstrate scientific processes and thinking skills (e.g., formulating questions, predicting, forming hypotheses, quantifying, identifying dependent and independent variables).
SC7.2.6	construct and use charts, graphs and tables to organize, display, interpret, analyze and explain data.
SC7.2.7	use appropriate technology solutions to gather data; graph data; interpret data; and analyze information.
SC7.2.8	use inferential reasoning to make logical conclusions from collected data.

Standard 3: Unifying Themes Objectives
Students will:

SC7.3.1	compare and contrast the relationship between the parts of a system to the whole system (e.g., take apart or build mechanical, electrical or biological systems).
SC7.3.3	compare and contrast changes that occur in an object or a system to its original state.

Standard 4: Science Subject Matter/Concepts Objectives
Students will:

SC7.4.1	demonstrate an understanding of the interconnections of biological, earth and space and physical science concepts.
Life Cycles of Organisms: Reproduction and Heredity
SC7.4.7	evaluate how the different adaptations and life cycles of plants and animals help them to survive in different niches and environments (e.g., inherited and acquired adaptations).
SC7.4.9	relate how an organisms behavior response is a combination of heredity and environment.
Populations and Ecosystems
SC7.4.11	predict the trends of interdependent populations if one of the limiting factors is changed.
SC7.4.12	evaluate the consequences of the introduction of chemicals into the ecosystem (e.g., environmental consequences, human health risks, mutations).

Standard 5: Scientific Design and Application
Students will:

*	demonstrate an understanding of the interdependence between science and technology;
*	demonstrate the ability to distinguish between natural and man-made objects;
*	demonstrate abilities of technological design; and
*	demonstrate the ability to utilize technology to gather data and communicate designs, results and conclusions.

Standard 6: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives Objectives
Students will:

SC7.6.1	use scientific reasoning and the knowledge of science and technology to make informed personal decisions at the local and global levels.
SC7.6.5	analyze the positive and negative effects of technology on society and the influence of societal pressures on the direction of technological advances.

The Coordinated and Thematic Science (CATS) Nine objectives continue the development of foundational knowledge in biology, chemistry, physics, and the earth and sciences. Through a spiraling, inquiry-based program of study, all students will demonstrate scientific literacy across these major fields of science. Subject matter is delivered through a coordinated, integrated approach with an emphasis on the development of the major science themes of systems, changes, and models. Students will engage in active inquiries, investigations and hands-on activities for a minimum of 50 percent of the instructional time to develop conceptual understanding and research/laboratory skills. Safety instruction is integrated in all activities. Building on the knowledge and skills acquired in CATS Eight, students in CATS Nine will expand and deepen their understanding of major concepts such as energy interactions, genetic probabilities, chemical changes and mineral composition of local rock layers. West Virginia teachers are responsible for analyzing the benefits of technology for learning and for integrating technology appropriately in the students' learning environment. See the related grade-level Technology Standards and Objectives.

Standard 1: History and the Nature of Science Objectives
Students will:

SC9.1.1	formulate scientific explanations based on the student's observational and experimental evidence, accounting for variability in experimental results.
SC9.1.2	recognize that science has practical and theoretical limitations.
SC9.1.3	recognize that science is based on a set of observations in a testable framework that demonstrate basic laws that are consistent.
SC9.1.4	conclude that science is a blend of creativity, logic and mathematics.

Standard 2: Science as Inquiry Objectives
Students will:

SC9.2.1	model and exhibit the skills, attitudes and/or values of scientific inquiry (e.g., curiosity, logic, objectivity, openness, skepticism, appreciation, diligence, integrity, ethical practice, fairness, creativity).
SC9.2.3	apply scientific approaches to seek solutions for personal and societal issues.
SC9.2.4	properly and safely manipulate equipment, materials, chemicals, organisms and models.
SC9.2.5	conduct explorations in a variety of environments (e.g., laboratories, museums, libraries, parks and other outdoors locations).
SC9.2.6	use appropriate technology solutions (e.g., computer, CBL, probe interfaces, software) to measure and collect data; interpret data; analyze and/or report data interact with simulations; conduct research; and to present and communicate conclusions.
SC9.2.7	demonstrate science processes within a problem solving setting (e.g., observing, measuring, calculating, communicating, comparing, ordering, categorizing, classifying, relating, hypothesizing, predicting, inferring, considering alternatives and applying).
SC9.2.8	design, conduct, evaluate and revise experiments (e.g., identify questions and concepts that guide investigations; design investigations; identify independent and dependent variables in experimental investigations; manipulate variables to extend experimental activities; use technology and mathematics to improve investigations and communications; formulate and scientific explanations and models using logic and evidence; recognize alternative explanations; communicate and defend a scientific argument).

Standard 4: Science Subject Matter/Concepts Objectives
Students will:

SC9.4.1	demonstrate an understanding of the interconnections of biological, earth/space and physical science concepts.
The Interdependence of Organisms
SC9.4.4	mathematically illustrate changes in populations of organisms.
SC9.4.6	design an environment that demonstrates the interdependence of plants and animals

Standard 5: Scientific Design and Application Objectives
Students will:

SC9.5.2	cite examples of the interdependence of science and technology (e.g., new technologies have lead to development of new scientific knowledge).
SC9.5.3	apply scientific skills and technological tools to design a solution that addresses a personal societal need.