United States · Common Core State Standards
2nd Grade Science
Students investigate the physical and biological world through hands-on observation and experimentation. This curriculum emphasizes the interconnectedness of plants, animals, and the Earth's shifting landscapes through the lens of scientific inquiry.
01Matter and Its Mysteries
Students explore the properties of different materials and how they can be classified, combined, or changed through heating and cooling.
Students will observe and describe various properties of common materials using their senses and simple tools.
Students will classify materials into groups based on observable properties such as color, hardness, and absorbency.
Students will explore what happens when different materials are combined, observing if new materials are formed or if they retain their original properties.
Students will observe and describe how heating and cooling can change the state or properties of various materials.
Students will conduct experiments to observe and explain reversible changes like melting ice and freezing water.
Students will observe and discuss examples of irreversible changes, such as cooking food or burning paper, understanding that new materials are formed.
Students will disassemble common objects made of multiple pieces and then reconstruct them, or create new objects from the same pieces.
Students will use a given set of components to design and build a structure that serves a specific purpose, explaining their design choices.
Students will use standard and non-standard units to measure and compare the length, weight, and volume of various objects.
Students will investigate how pushes and pulls can change the motion or shape of objects through hands-on activities.
02The Secret Lives of Plants
An exploration of what plants need to grow and how they depend on animals for pollination and seed dispersal.
Students will observe and document the stages of a plant's life cycle, from seed to mature plant.
Students will conduct experiments to demonstrate the essential role of sunlight for plant growth and health.
Students will investigate how water is absorbed by plants and its importance for their survival and growth.
Students will identify and describe the functions of different plant parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers) through observation and diagrams.
Students will explore the role of animals, particularly insects, in the pollination process and how plants attract them.
Students will investigate various methods of seed dispersal (wind, water, animals) and how these strategies help plants spread.
Students will identify and describe characteristics of various land and water habitats, such as forests, deserts, ponds, and oceans.
Students will investigate how plants and animals are adapted to survive in their specific habitats.
Students will learn about simple food chains, identifying producers, consumers, and decomposers within an ecosystem.
Students will discuss ways humans impact habitats and explore simple actions to protect local environments.
03Earth's Shifting Surface
Investigating how the Earth changes over time through both slow processes like erosion and rapid events like volcanoes.
Students will identify and describe various landforms and bodies of water on Earth's surface using images and models.
Students will learn about sudden geological events like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and their immediate effects on the Earth's surface.
Students will investigate how weathering (breaking down rocks) slowly changes the Earth's surface over long periods.
Students will model how moving water carries away soil and rock, shaping valleys and canyons.
Students will explore how wind and ice also contribute to erosion, shaping landscapes in different environments.
Students will design and test solutions to prevent or reduce erosion in various scenarios, such as protecting a hillside from rain.
Students will learn to interpret simple maps and globes, identifying continents, oceans, and major landforms.
Students will investigate where water is found on Earth (oceans, rivers, lakes, ice) and its different states (liquid, solid, gas).
Students will explore the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.
Students will observe and record local weather conditions and discuss how weather changes over time, introducing basic weather prediction.
04The Inventor's Workshop
Applying engineering principles to solve real world problems by designing, testing, and refining prototypes.
Students will practice identifying problems in their environment or daily life that could be solved through engineering design.
Students will generate multiple possible solutions to a defined problem, encouraging creative and diverse ideas.
Students will use drawings, models, and verbal descriptions to communicate their design ideas to others.
Students will construct simple prototypes of their design solutions using various materials.
Students will conduct simple tests on their prototypes to determine if they effectively solve the identified problem.
Students will interpret the results of their tests to understand what worked well and what needs improvement in their design.
Students will use test results to identify areas for improvement and modify their prototypes to create a better solution.
Students will present their final designs and reflect on the engineering design process, including challenges and successes.
Students will explore how simple tools and machines (levers, pulleys, wheels) help people do work more easily.
Students will investigate different forms of energy, focusing on light and sound, and how they travel and interact with objects.