United States · Common Core State Standards
4th Grade Science
Students investigate the physical world through hands on inquiry into energy transfer, biological adaptations, and the shifting surface of the Earth. This curriculum emphasizes the use of evidence to explain natural phenomena and the design of solutions to engineering challenges.
01Energy in Motion
Students explore how energy is transferred between objects and converted from one form to another through collisions and circuits.
Investigate the relationship between the speed of an object and the amount of energy it possesses through hands-on experiments.
Observe and explain how energy moves from one object to another during physical contact, focusing on sound and heat.
Construct basic circuits to demonstrate how electrical energy can be transformed into light, heat, or sound.
Experiment with various materials to classify them as conductors or insulators of electricity.
Identify and explain various energy transformations observed in common household devices and natural phenomena.
Apply understanding of energy transfer to design and build a simple device that demonstrates energy conversion.
02Waves and Information
An exploration of how light and sound waves move through space and how they are used to communicate information.
Analyze the patterns of amplitude and wavelength in water and sound waves through observation and experimentation.
Examine how light reflects off objects and enters the eye to allow humans to see, using mirrors and light sources.
Investigate how sound waves are produced, travel through different mediums, and are perceived by the ear.
Compare different ways that localized patterns can be used to send messages over distances, including digital and analog signals.
Design and implement simple codes to send and receive messages using light or sound patterns.
03Structure, Function, and Information Processing
Students investigate how internal and external structures of plants and animals support survival and how organisms process sensory information.
Identify specific structures in plants that function to support growth, survival, and reproduction.
Identify specific external and internal structures in animals that function to support growth, survival, and reproduction.
Model how animals receive different types of information through their senses and process it in their brain.
Investigate how different animals have evolved specialized sensory organs and brain structures to process information relevant to their survival.
Explore how plants respond to environmental stimuli such as light, water, and gravity to ensure survival and growth.
Apply understanding of plant and animal structures and functions to design solutions for human problems (biomimicry).
04Earth's Changing Surface
Students study the effects of weathering and erosion and analyze patterns in Earth's features to understand its history.
Identify the effects of water, ice, wind, and vegetation on the breaking down of rocks and landforms.
Investigate how water, ice, wind, and gravity transport weathered materials, shaping Earth's surface.
Analyze maps to identify patterns in the locations of mountain ranges, deep ocean trenches, and volcanoes.
Examine fossil remains to explain how landscapes and life forms change over millions of years.
Examine patterns in rock layers to understand the sequence of events and changes in Earth's history.
Design and test solutions to prevent or reduce the effects of weathering and erosion in a given scenario.
05Energy, Natural Hazards, and the Environment
Students explore how humans use natural resources for energy and how we can mitigate the impact of natural Earth processes.
Evaluate the origins of different energy sources and their effects on the environment.
Investigate how human use of natural resources affects the environment and explore sustainable practices.
Identify and describe various natural Earth processes that pose hazards to humans and the environment.
Design and test solutions to reduce the impact of natural Earth processes like earthquakes or floods.
Apply the engineering design process to develop solutions for environmental challenges related to resource use or natural hazards.
06Ecosystems and Interdependence
Students explore the components of ecosystems, how organisms interact with each other and their environment, and the flow of energy.
Identify and classify biotic and abiotic components within various ecosystems.
Trace the flow of energy through food chains and food webs, identifying producers, consumers, and decomposers.
Investigate various types of interactions between organisms, including competition, predation, and symbiosis.
Examine how plants and animals develop specific adaptations to survive and thrive in their particular environments.
Explore how human activities can impact ecosystems and discuss ways to minimize negative effects.
07States of Matter and Their Changes
Students investigate the properties of solids, liquids, and gases and explore how matter changes state.
Observe and describe the distinct properties of matter in its solid, liquid, and gaseous states.
Investigate how adding or removing heat energy affects the temperature and state of matter.
Observe and explain the processes of melting and freezing, focusing on the role of temperature.
Explore the processes of evaporation and condensation and their role in the water cycle.
Differentiate between mixtures and solutions and investigate methods for separating them.
08The Water Cycle and Weather
Students investigate the continuous movement of water on Earth and how it influences weather patterns.
Construct models to demonstrate the continuous movement of water through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.
Explore how clouds form and the different types of precipitation that result from the water cycle.
Learn to use simple instruments to measure and record various weather conditions like temperature, wind, and precipitation.
Analyze local weather patterns and use data to make simple weather predictions.
Differentiate between weather and climate and explore factors that influence regional climates.