Unit Goal

Students use real-world examples, experiments and simulations to define common scientific terms and practices that will guide them on their journey through BioBeyond.

Topics Covered

Nature of science, Hypotheses, Theories, Laws, Graphing, Correlation, Uncertainty, SI units, Critical thinking, Experimental design, Error, Bias

Unit Standards

• Identify and describe the philosophical assumptions and limitations of scientific reasoning
• Describe, and apply the scientific method of reasoning including basic techniques such as positive and negative experimental controls, drawing conclusions from data, and accounting for uncertainty
• Differentiate among facts, hypotheses, theories, and predictions
• Use a model to generate and test hypotheses
• Read and interpret graphs, scientific writing, and representations or schematics
• Apply critical thinking and scientific reasoning to evaluate claims
• Distinguish between dependent and independent variables and identify relationships between them.
• Apply the SI system of units to measurements of mass, length, and volume
• Express and discuss uncertainty in measurements, observations, and experiments

Unit Goal

Students observe at least 50 organisms from common and exotic biomes worldwide, recording traits used to classify the organisms in a Linnean-like system.

Topics Covered

Biodiversity, Traits, Classification

Unit Standards

• Describe physical and/or behavioral characteristics of many species from several existing biomes, including familiar and so-called 'extreme' environments
• Apply data gathered from observations and descriptions of species to the construction of a system of classification
• Compare and contrast a self-made system of classification to the Linnaean system

Unit Goal

Students use published data and real-life examples to describe the theory of evolution by natural selection, including population trait distributions, Mendelian and non-Mendelian genetics, selective pressures, and speciation events.

Topics Covered

Mendelian genetics, Non-Mendelian genetics, Environmental selective pressures, Predatory selective pressures, Speciation, Evolution

Unit Standards

• Describe the theory of evolution by natural selection and its key concepts: adaptation to environment, descent with modification, and reproductive fitness
• Apply the concepts of the theory of evolution to account for the hierarchy of shared characteristics via the Tree of Life
• Describe Darwin's observations and hypotheses regarding natural selection and speciation
• Define the biological species concept
• Differentiate between allopatric and sympatric speciation
• Describe Mendel's laws of inheritance (segregation, independent assortment, dominance) and the experiments that led to those laws
• Make predictions and interpret results of single and double trait crosses using Punnett squares
• Describe how chromosomes, genes, alleles, and DNA relate to each other
• Make predictions and observe patterns associated with genetic diseases in a pedigree
• Use data and observations to define concepts of exponential and logistic growth, carrying capacity of an ecosystem, and other factors limiting population distributions and dynamics
• Describe various inter-species interactions including competitive, mutualistic, predator/prey, and parasitic relationships

Unit Goal

Students trace the evolution of life on Earth through immersive virtual field trips to three significant fossil record sites documenting the fall of dinosaurs, rise of animals, and earliest signatures of life on Earth to determine what type of life is most likely to be found on other worlds.

Topics Covered

Paleobiology, Geologic evidence, Ancient organisms, Evolution

Unit Standards

• Describe physical and/or behavioral characteristics of many species from several extinct biomes, including familiar and so-called 'extreme' environments

Unit Goal

Students explore cellular anatomy through an interactive, three-dimensional, scientifically accurate model of the cell, performing various actions to enable cellular function in order to identify the features and functions of life that may be present on other worlds.

Topics Covered

Animal cell anatomy, Plant cell anatomy, Prokaryotic cell anatomy

Unit Standards

• Identify structures and components of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells including the cell wall, cell membrane, nucleus, ribosomes, genetic material, mitochondria, and chloroplasts

Unit Goal

Students explore the chemical structure, function, and reactions of Earth-based life, seeking common biochemical threads that provide clues to aid in the search for existing and past life on other worlds.

Topics Covered

Introductory chemistry, Biomacromolecules, Metabolism, Aerobic and anaerobic respiration, Oxygenic and anoxygenic photosynthesis, DNA structure, Mitosis, Meiosis, Binary fission, DNA replication, DNA transcription, Translation

Unit Standards

• Identify structures and components of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells including the nucleus, ribosomes, genetic material, mitochondria, and chloroplasts
• Identify and distinguish the structure and function of the four major classes of macromolecules used by biological systems: proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids
• Describe the process and outcomes of mitosis
• Define the concepts of atoms, molecules, chemical bonding, pH, and the polar nature of water as they apply to the structure and function of biological molecules
• Describe and apply the tenets of cell theory: all cells come from other cells, all life is made of cells, cells are the basic units of life
• Identify various forms of energy in the physical world and biology using proper units of measure (J, cal, kcal)
• Outline the process of aerobic respiration including cycles/processes involved, input and waste molecules, and key electron carriers
• Outline the processes of fermentation and anaerobic respiration including cycles/processes involved, input and waste molecules, and key electron carriers
• Outline the process of photosynthesis including cycles/processes involved, input and waste molecules, and key electron carriers
• Define the general steps of meiosis, its outcomes, and its relationship to sexual reproduction
• Identify and describe the structure of DNA as well as the relationship between DNA structure and replication of the molecule
• Describe and demonstrate the processes of transcription and translation
• Identify and describe the structure of RNA as well as some of its roles within the cell.
• Compare the outcomes and roles of mitosis and meiosis
• Contrast the processes of mitosis and binary fission
• Apply the concept of the central dogma of biology in the context of various mutations and predict the general effect of the mutation on the finished protein
• Apply concepts of genetic information and mutation to evolution

Unit Goal

Students investigate the changes in Earth’s climate over the recent past, comparing those changes to historical data to identify trends and project impacts, then design a plan to reduce the impact of the present observed warming trend.

Topics Covered

Greenhouse effect, Carbon cycle, Historical and present causes and effects of climate change, Ecological consequences of climate change

Unit Standards

• Define, from observation and data, the roles of various components of the atmosphere as they influence climate
• Describe and evaluate patterns of global climate change revealed through data, including the role of natural and anthropogenic processes
• Analyze paleobiological and geological evidence from past global-scale warming and apply observed patterns to the current observed warming trend and evidence.
• Identify natural and anthropogenic sources and sinks of carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere.
• Construct and use a model of anthropogenic effects on atmospheric carbon dioxide levels to evaluate possible future scenarios.

Unit Goal

Students design a crewed mission to Mars, exploring what we currently know about how prolonged spaceflight affects the muscular, skeletal and cardiovascular systems and then deciding how to counteract these challenges by selecting their crew and equipment, and designing diet and exercise plans for the mission.

Topics Covered

Anatomy and physiology, Homeostasis, Energy balance

Unit Standards

• Identify and distinguish the major components of the muscular, skeletal, cardiovascular systems in humans
• Compare the state of anatomical and physiological systems under stress to their normal state and analyze the long-term effects of remaining in the stressed state
• Describe the structure and nature of positive and negative feedback in biological systems using at least two model systems and including disruptions to the normal state of those systems
• Describe the physiological mechanisms of glucose regulation as a homeostatic system, and analyze failure of that regulation as it relates to diabetes
• Perform an energy balance of an organism