Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Other Pennsylvania Science, Technology & Engineering and Environmental Literacy & Sustainability Standards (STEEL) sets

• Grade K
• Grade 1
• Grade 2
• Grade 3
• Grade 4
• Grade 5
• Grades 6, 7, 8

Use the periodic table as a model to predict the relative properties of elements based on the patterns of electrons in the outermost energy level of atoms.3.2.9-12.A

Plan and conduct an investigation to gather evidence to compare the structure of substances at the bulk scale to infer the strength of electrical forces between particles.3.2.9-12.B

Construct and revise an explanation for the outcome of a simple chemical reaction based on the outermost electron states of atoms, trends in the periodic table, and knowledge of the patterns of chemical properties.3.2.9-12.C

Develop a model to illustrate that the release or absorption of energy from a chemical reaction system depends upon the changes in total bond energy.3.2.9-12.D

Apply scientific principles and evidence to provide an explanation about the effects of changing the temperature or concentration of the reacting particles on the rate at which a reaction occurs.3.2.9-12.E

Refine the design of a chemical system by specifying a change in conditions that would produce increased amounts of products at equilibrium.3.2.9-12.F

Use mathematical representations to support the claim that atoms, and therefore mass, are conserved during a chemical reaction.3.2.9-12.G

Develop models to illustrate the changes in the composition of the nucleus of the atom and the energy released during the processes of fission, fusion, and radioactive decay.3.2.9-12.na1

Analyze data to support the claim that Newton's second law of motion describes the mathematical relationship among the net force on a macroscopic object, its mass, and its acceleration.3.2.9-12.I

Use mathematical representations to support the claim that the total momentum of a system of objects is conserved when there is no net force on the system.3.2.9-12.J

Apply scientific and engineering ideas to design, evaluate and refine a device that minimizes the force on a macroscopic object during a collision.3.2.9-12.K

Use mathematical representations of Newton's Law of Gravitation and Coulomb's Law to describe and predict the gravitational and electrostatic forces between objects.3.2.9-12.L

Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence that an electric current can produce a magnetic field and that a changing magnetic field can produce an electric current.3.2.9-12.M

Communicate scientific and technical information about why the molecular-level structure is important in the functioning of designed materials.3.2.9-12.N

Create a computational model to calculate the change in the energy of one component in a system when the change in energy of the other component(s) and energy flows in and out of the system are known.3.2.9-12.O

Develop and use models to illustrate that energy at the macroscopic scale can be accounted for as a combination of energy associated with the motions of particles (objects) and energy associated with the relative positions of particles (objects).3.2.9-12.P

Design, build, and refine a device that works within given constraints to convert one form of energy into another form of energy.3.2.9-12.Q

Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence that the transfer of thermal energy when two components of different temperature are combined within a closed system results in a more uniform energy distribution among the components in the system (second law of thermodynamics).3.2.9-12.R

Develop and use a model of two objects interacting through electric or magnetic fields to illustrate the forces between objects and the changes in energy of the objects due to the interaction.3.2.9-12.S

Not applicable at this level.3.2.9-12.na2

Use mathematical representations to support a claim regarding relationships among the frequency, wavelength, and speed of waves traveling in various media.3.2.9-12.T

Evaluate questions about the advantages of using digital transmission and storage of information.3.2.9-12.U

Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning behind the idea that electromagnetic radiation can be described either by a wave model or a particle model and that for some situations one model is more useful than the other.3.2.9-12.V

Evaluate the validity and reliability of claims in published materials of the effects that different frequencies of electromagnetic radiation have when absorbed by matter.3.2.9-12.W

Communicate technical information about how some technological devices use the principles of wave behavior and wave interactions with matter to transmit and capture information and energy.3.2.9-12.X

Develop a model based on evidence to illustrate the life span of the sun and the role of nuclear fusion in the sun's core to release energy in the form of radiation.3.3.9-12.A

Construct an explanation of the Big Bang theory based on astronomical evidence of light spectra, the motion of distant galaxies, and the composition of matter in the universe.3.3.9-12.B

Communicate scientific ideas about the way stars, over their life cycle, produce elements.3.3.9-12.C

Use mathematical or computational representations to predict the motion of orbiting objects in the solar system.3.3.9-12.D

Use a model to describe how variations in the flow of energy into and out of Earth's systems result in changes in climate.3.3.9-12.E

Evaluate evidence of the past and current movements of continental and oceanic crust and the theory of plate tectonics to explain the ages of crustal rocks.3.3.9-12.F

Apply scientific reasoning and evidence from ancient Earth materials, meteorites, and other planetary surfaces to construct an account of Earth's formation and early history.3.3.9-12.G

Analyze geoscience data to make the claim that one change to Earth's surface can create feedback that causes changes to other Earth systems.3.3.9-12.H

Develop a model based on evidence of Earth's interior to describe the cycling of matter by thermal convection.3.3.9-12.I

Develop a model to illustrate how Earth's internal and surface processes operate at different spatial and temporal scales to form continental and ocean-floor features.3.3.9-12.J

Plan and conduct an investigation of the properties of water and its effects on Earth materials and surface processes.3.3.9-12.K

Develop a quantitative model to describe the cycling of carbon among the hydrosphere, atmosphere, geosphere, and biosphere.3.3.9-12.L

Use a computational representation to illustrate the relationships among Earth systems and how those relationships are being modified due to human activity.3.3.9-12.M

Analyze geoscience data and the results from global climate models to make an evidence-based forecast of the current rate of global or regional climate change and associated future impacts to Earth systems.3.3.9-12.S

Construct an argument based on evidence about the simultaneous coevolution of Earth's systems and life on Earth.3.3.9-12.N

Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.3.3.9-12.O

Evaluate competing design solutions for developing, managing, and utilizing energy and mineral resources based on cost-benefit ratios.3.3.9-12.P

Not applicable at this level.3.3.9-12.na1

Create a computational simulation to illustrate the relationships among management of natural resources, the sustainability of human populations, and biodiversity.3.3.9-12.Q

Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces the impact of human activities on natural systems.3.3.9-12.R

Analyze and interpret how issues, trends, technologies, and policies impact agricultural, food, and environmental systems and resources.3.4.9-12.A

Apply research and analytical skills to evaluate the conditions and motivations that lead to conflict, cooperation, and change among individuals, groups, and nations.3.4.9-12.B

Analyze and interpret how issues, trends, technologies, and policies impact watersheds and water resources.3.4.9-12.C

Apply research and analytical skills to systematically investigate environmental issues ranging from local issues to those that are regional or global in scope.3.4.9-12.D

Plan and conduct an investigation utilizing environmental data about a local environmental issue.3.4.9-12.E

Evaluate and communicate the effect of integrated pest management practices on indoor and outdoor environments.3.4.9-12.F

Analyze and evaluate how best resource management practices and environmental laws achieve sustainability of natural resources.3.4.9-12.G

Design and evaluate solutions in which individuals and societies can promote stewardship in environmental quality and community well-being.3.4.9-12.H

Analyze and interpret data on a regional environmental condition and its implications on environmental justice and social equity.3.4.9-12.I

Use various approaches to communicate processes and procedures for using, maintaining, and assessing technological products and systems.3.5.9-12.A

Critically assess and evaluate a technology that minimizes resource use and resulting waste to achieve a goal.3.5.9-12.B

Develop a solution to a technological problem that has the least negative environmental and social impact.3.5.9-12.C

Critique whether existing or proposed technologies use resources sustainably.3.5.9-12.D

Evaluate how technology and engineering advancements alter human health and capabilities.3.5.9-12.E

Evaluate a technological innovation that arose from a specific society's unique need or want.3.5.9-12.F

Evaluate a technological innovation that was met with societal resistance impacting its development.3.5.9-12.G

Evaluate ways that technology and engineering can impact individuals, society, and the environment.3.5.9-12.H

(ETS) Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.3.5.9-12.I

Synthesize data and analyze trends to make decisions about technological products, systems, or processes.3.5.9-12.J

(ETS) Use a computer simulation to model the impact of proposed solutions to a complex real-world problem with numerous criteria and constraints on interactions within and between systems relevant to the problem.3.5.9-12.K

Interpret laws, regulations, policies, and other factors that impact the development and use of technology.3.5.9-12.L

Develop a device or system for the marketplace.3.5.9-12.M

Analyze and use relevant and appropriate design thinking processes to solve technological and engineering problems.3.5.9-12.N

Apply appropriate design thinking processes to diagnose, adjust, and repair systems to ensure precise, safe, and proper functionality.3.5.9-12.O

Apply a broad range of design skills to a design thinking process.3.5.9-12.P

Implement and critique principles, elements, and factors of design.3.5.9-12.Q

Use a design thinking process to design an appropriate technology for use in a different culture.3.5.9-12.R

Conduct research to inform intentional inventions and innovations that address specific needs and wants.3.5.9-12.S

Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.3.5.9-12.T (ETS)

Evaluate and define the purpose of a design.3.5.9-12.U

Apply principles of human-centered design.3.5.9-12.V

Optimize a design by addressing desired qualities within criteria and constraints while considering trade-offs.3.5.9-12.W

Implement the best possible solution to a design using an explicit process.3.5.9-12.X

(ETS) Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.3.5.9-12.Y

Recognize and explain how their community and the world around them informs technological development and engineering design.3.5.9-12.Z

Safely apply an appropriate range of making skills to a design thinking process.3.5.9-12.AA

Assess how similarities and differences among scientific, technological, engineering, and mathematical knowledge and skills contributed to the design of a product or system.3.5.9-12.BB

Analyze how technology transfer occurs when a user applies an existing innovation developed for one function for a different purpose.3.5.9-12.CC

Develop a plan that incorporates knowledge from science, mathematics, and other disciplines to design or improve a technological product or system.3.5.9-12.DD

Connect technological and engineering progress to the advancement of other areas of knowledge and vice versa.3.5.9-12.EE

Evaluate how technology enhances opportunities for new products and services through globalization.3.5.9-12.FF

Evaluate how technology and engineering have been powerful forces in reshaping the social, cultural, political, and economic landscapes throughout history.3.5.9-12.GG

Analyze how the Industrial Revolution resulted in the development of mass production, sophisticated transportation and communication systems, advanced construction practices, and improved education and leisure time.3.5.9-12.HH

Investigate the widespread changes that have resulted from the Information Age, which has placed emphasis on the processing and exchange of information.3.5.9-12.II

Identify and explain how the evolution of civilization has been directly affected by, and has in turn affected, the development and use of tools, materials, and processes.3.5.9-12.JJ

Relate how technological and engineering developments have been evolutionary, often the result of a series of refinements to basic inventions or technological knowledge.3.5.9-12.KK

Analyze the stability of a technological system and how it is influenced by all of the components in the system, especially those in the feedback loop.3.5.9-12.LL

Troubleshoot and improve a flawed system embedded within a larger technological, social, or environmental system.3.5.9-12.MM

Analyze the rate of technological and engineering development and predict future diffusion and adoption of new innovations and technologies.3.5.9-12.NN

Use project management tools, strategies, and processes in planning, organizing, and controlling work.3.5.9-12.OO

Demonstrate the use of conceptual, graphical, virtual, mathematical, and physical modeling to identify conflicting considerations before the entire system is developed and to aid in design decision making.3.5.9-12.PP