Earth
Third planet from the Sun; largest of the terrestrial planets in the Solar System in diameter, mass and density. Supports life (hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere)
Solar system
Solar system
The Solar System; the Sun and all the objects in orbit around it. Any collection of heavenly bodies including a star or binary star, and any lighter stars, brown dwarfs, planets, and other objects in orbit.
Sun
The Sun is a huge, glowing ball at the center of our solar system. The sun provides light, heat, and other energy to Earth. The sun is made up entirely of gas. The energy of the sun comes from nuclear fusion reactions that occur deep inside the sun's core.
Solar wind
Solar wind
A continuous stream of charged particles emitted from the Sun;can reach speeds 800 kilometers per second.
Solar flares
Solar flares
Magnetic storms on the Sun's surface which show up as a sudden increase in brightness.
Axis
The point upon which a planet turns
Day
When the surface of earth faces the sun
Night
When the surface of earth points away from the sun
Tides
Daily changes in ocean height due to gravitational attraction between the Earth and the moon.
Lunar eclipse
Lunar eclipse
The Moon goes out of view as it moves into the Earth's shadow; occurs during the Full Moon phase.
Solar eclipse
Solar eclipse
Event in which the view of the Sun is blocked by the Moon during a New Moon phase, when the Moon's shadow reaches the Earth.
Atmosphere
The gas layer surrounding the Earth
Convection
A type of motion in gas or liquid when there is a temperature difference between separate regions. Warm air rises cool air sinks, this allows heat exchange.
Conduction
The transfer of heat through gas through direct contact, (ex. Heating water bottom of pot is hot.)
Radiation
The transfer of energy through a vacuum; the way in which the Sun supplies the Earth with energy.
Cumulus clouds
Cumulus clouds
Puffy, cotton-like clouds formed by rising air.
Stratus clouds
Stratus clouds
Layered, sheet-like clouds, usually associated with warm fronts and found at lower altitudes.
Cirrus clouds
Cirrus clouds
Very high clouds formed by ice crystals; look like feathers; usually associated with fair weather.
Air masses
Air masses
Large masses of air at the surface of the Earth with similar characteristics of temperature and humidity throughout the mass.
Front
The boundary between two air masses.
Weather
The short term state of the atmosphere at a specific time and place, including the temperature, humidity, cloud cover, precipitation, wind, etc.
Maritime Effect
The effect that large ocean bodies have on the climate of locations or regions. This effect results in a lower range in surface air temperature at both daily and annual scales.
Climate
The overall temperature, precipitation, and weather conditions for an area.
Jet stream
Band of fast-moving air in the upper troposphere.
Weather maps
Weather maps
Maps that shows the weather in a specific area at a specific point in time.
Weather forecasting
Weather forecasting
The application of science and technology to predict the state of the atmosphere for a future time and a given location
Earth systems
Lithosphere (the rocks of the earth), hydrosphere (the waters of the Earth); the atmosphere (the gases that surround the Earth); and, the biosphere (the life on Earth).
Fossil fuels
Nonrenewable energy sources, such as oil, gas, or coal, derived from fossils; consist primarily of hydrocarbons.
Renewable resources
Renewable resources
Energy sources or other natural resources that are replenished shortly after being used.
Nonrenewable resources
Nonrenewable resources
Natural resources that cannot be replenished for millions of years, if at all.
Ecosystems
Systems formed from the interactions between communities and their physical environments.
Land use management
The use of zones of land for specific needs. (farming, industry, reserve) aims to alleviate pollution.
Water conservation
The wise use of water with methods ranging from more efficient practices in farm, home and industry to capturing water for use through water storage or conservation projects.
Pollution
Substances that harm living organisms or the environment.
Interacting systems
The hydrologic system, working with terrestrial systems, working with atmospheric systems.
Global warming
An overall increase in world temperatures which may be caused by additional heat being trapped by greenhouse gases.
MSDS
A material safety data sheet is a form with data regarding the properties of a particular substance.
NABT
National Associations of Biology Teachers
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms with the exception of some viruses. The main role of DNA molecules is the long-term storage of information. DNA is often compared to a set of blueprints, like a recipe or a code, since it contains the instructions needed to construct other components of cells, such as proteins and RNA molecules.
NIH
National Institute of Health is an organization that provides money for science research.
Corona
Corona
Outermost layer surrounding the Sun.
Asteroid
Asteroid
A small celestial body composed of rock and metal that moves around the sun; it has increasingly come to particularly refer to the small rocky and metallic bodies of the inner Solar System and out to the orbit of Jupiter.
Comet
Comet
A mass of frozen gases, ice, and rock that orbits the Sun.
Meteoroid
Meteoroid
A rock fragment orbiting in the solar system.
Trajectory
Trajectory
The curved path of movement an object follows as it travels through space.
Scientific Method
Scientific Method
The scientific method is a widely recognized series of steps that a scientist undertakes to answer a question and acquire knowledge about nature.
Kinetic Energy
Kinetic Energy
The energy of an object in motion
Potential Energy
Potential Energy
The stored energy of an object. The stored energy can be a result of position or height above the Earth's surface, the amount of stretching or compression of an elastic object like a spring or rubber band.
Mechanical Energy
Mechanical Energy
Mechanical energy is the sum of kinetic energy and potential energy of an object
Chemical energy
Chemical energy
The energy that occurs as a result of the bonds of chemicals. An excellent source of chemical energy is food.
Thermal Energy
Thermal Energy
Also known as heat, is the energy that occurs as a result in temperature difference.
Sound Energy
Sound Energy
The energy that occurs as a result of sound
Light Energy
Light Energy
The energy that occurs as a result of light
Solar Energy
Solar Energy
The energy that occurs as a result of the sun
Electrical Energy
Electrical Energy
Energy that occurs as a direct result of moving electric charges
Cells
Cells
Basic structure of living things that represents the primary level of organization in multicellular organism
Tissues
Tissues
Groups of similar cells that perform specific functions
Organs
Organs
Group of tissues that perform specific functions
Organ Systems
Organ Systems
Groups of organs that work together to perform specific functions
Cognitive Process
Cognitive Process
It refers to the ways of processing information and developing self awareness as it relates to the exploration of the environment though movement, sight, sound, and taste.
Diseases
Are abnormal conditions of the body or mind that cause discomfort or distress to a body part, an organ, or the entire system.
Landforms
Features that make up the earth's surface such as a plain, mountain, or valley.
Water Forms
Features that make up the earth's surface such as oceans, rivers, lakes, tides and so on.
Earth's Atmosphere
Earth's Atmosphere
Listed from earth up: (1) troposphere (2) stratosphere (3) mesosphere (4) ionosphere (5) thermosphere
Water Cycles
Water Cycles
(1)cooling causes precipitation (rain, sleet, snow, hail) to fall (2)water collects in lakes, streams, rivers, oceans, etc. (3)evaporation due to heat
Planets of the Solar System
Planets of the Solar System
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto. Here's a way to help you remember the order of the planets: My very elegant mother just served us nine pizzas.
Sections of the Earth
Sections of the Earth
Inner core, outer core, mantle, crust.
Traits of Mammal
Traits of Mammal
Mammary glands, lungs, hair, high metabolic rate/high body temperature.
Type of Tissues
Type of Tissues
Muscle, nerve, epithelial, connective, blood.
Body Systems
Body Systems
Digestive, circulatory, respiratory, excretory, nervous, reproductive, endocrine, skin , skeletal, muscular.
Transpiration
Transpiration
Plants go through a process of evaporation through their stomata in their leaves of excess water.
Capillary Action
Capillary Action
The method that plants use to transport various materials within themselves.
Five Kingdoms
Five Kingdoms
Animals, plants, protista (viruses and slime molds), monera (bacteria and algae), fungi.
Classification system for living things
Classification system for living things
Kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species.
Forms of Energy
Kinetic, potential, thermal or heat energy, chemical energy, electrical, electrochemical, electromagnetic (light), sound, nuclear.
Visible Spectrum
Visible Spectrum
Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet.
Work
The work done by an agent exerting a constant force along the direction of the displacement and causing a displacement; equals force x (times) distance the object moves.
Metamorphosis of the Butterfly
Metamorphosis of the Butterfly
It takes place through a four-stage process: egg, larva (also called a caterpillar), pupa, and adult.
Synapse
Synapse
The point at which a nerve impulse passes from an axon of one neuron to dendrite of another neuron
Axon
Axon
The core of a nerve fiber that sends out messages from a neuron
Dendrite
Dendrite
A thread-like projection of a neuron that receives incoming messages
Neuron
Neuron
A nerve cell
(2-pan) Balance Scale
(2-pan) Balance Scale
Best scale for helping students understand the concept of mass
Omnivores
Omnivores
Species that eat both plants and animals as their primary food source
Carnivores
Carnivores
Species that eat animals as their primary food source
Herbivore
Herbivore
Species that eat plants as their primary food source
The tilt of the Earth's axis
The tilt of the Earth's axis
The factor that most influences the change of seasons
The process of respiration
The process of respiration
Through the process of respiration, animals benefit the ecosystem by providing carbon dioxide needed by plants.
The Inquiry Method
The Inquiry Method
One of the main goals of using the inquiry method in science education is to encourage students to understand the process by which scientific hypothese are generated and tested.
Pungent Square
Pungent Square
A grid-like diagram used to help predict the results of genetic crosses
Gene
Gene
A unit of heredity located on chromosomes; determines what will be passed on by heredity.
Chromosomes
Chromosomes
A body in the cell nucleus that is a bearer of genetic information
Genetics
Genetics
The study of inheritable characteristics
Heredity
Heredity
The transmission of characteristics from parents to offspring
Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis
The process by which green plants use sunlight as a source of energy to convert carbon dioxide and water in the presence of chlorophyll to sugar with oxygen as a byproduct.
Center of Gravity
Center of Gravity
The point at which the mass of an object appears to be concentrated and the gravitational forces are balanced.
Simple Machines
Simple Machines
Any of the basic mechanical devices for applying a force
System
A collection of cycles, structures, and processes that interact
Informal Observation
To identify which aspects of a new science topic are most difficult for students to understand, it is best to use informal observations and interviews; not surprise quizzes or peer reviews.
Before starting an experiment
Preview activities with students to identify potential hazards and discuss ways to prevent injury (it is best to reinforce appropriate safety procedures than reminding students of science safety rules or posting them in a prominent place).
Constructivism theory
Teaches that children have to build their own scientific knowledge and understanding and that, at each step of science learning, they have to interpret new knowledge in the context of what they already understand.
Scientific Process
Includes asking well-defined questions, formulating testable hypotheses, using appropriate tools and techniques to gather data, analyzing and interpreting information to construct reasonable explanations from direct and indirect evidence, and communicating valid conclusions.
Deserts
Deserts
Deserts are characterized by generally high temperatures (although they may be cold during nights and winters), low precipitation, and many adaptations to drought conditions.
Realism
The representation of objects according to how they appear in nature without idealization.
Three types of rocks
Three types of rocks
Igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic.
Mohs Scale
Mohs Scale
Rates hardness of rock.
Glaciers
Glaciers
Large deposits of ice (sometimes many miles across) that can move across an area leaving deep gashes in the earth.
Plate tectonics
Plate tectonics
Theory that the Earth's surface consists of about 20 plates that move, causing earthquakes, mountain formation, and spreading of areas.
Adapted to and Modified
When people settle new areas they often change their way of doing things in response to new geographic factors or they modify the landscape to suit their needs. As the number of people moving to Texas increased, the settlements spread west. The immigrants built homes of material readily available, including logs or sun-baked mud, thus adapting their lifestyles to match their environment
Annexation
Annexation is the process of adding something. Representatives of the Republic of Texas recognized several advantages the young nation could gain if it gave up its status as an independent nation and agreed to annexation by the United States. The U.S. Congress passed a resolution to allow annexation on February 28, 1845, with several conditions including the need for Texans to hold a convention and an election to approve annexation and to write and adopt a new state constitution