Ohio's Academic Content Standards in Science

By the end of grade 2

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Earth and Space Sciences
Students demonstrate an understanding about how Earth systems and processes interact in the geosphere resulting in the habitability of Earth. This includes demonstrating an understanding of the composition of the Universe, the Solar System and Earth. In addition, it includes understanding the properties and the interconnected nature of Earth's systems, processes that shape Earth and Earth's history. Students also demonstrate an understanding of how the concepts and principles of energy, matter, motion and forces explain Earth systems, the Solar System, and the Universe. Finally, they grasp an understanding of the historical perspectives, scientific approaches and emerging scientific issues associated with Earth and space sciences. Indicators for grade 2 1. Recognize that there are more stars in the sky than anyone can easily count. (ORC Resources) 2. Observe and describe how the Sun, Moon and stars all appear to move slowly across the sky. (ORC Resources) 3. Observe and describe how the Moon appears a little different every day but looks nearly the same again about every four weeks. (ORC Resources) 4. Observe and describe that some weather changes occur throughout the day and some changes occur in a repeating seasonal pattern. (ORC Resources) 5. Describe weather by measurable quantities such as temperature and precipitation. (ORC Resources)

Life Sciences
Students demonstrate an understanding of how living systems function and how they interact with the physical environment. This includes an understanding of the cycling of matter and flow of energy in living systems. An understanding of the characteristics, structure, and function of cells, of organisms and of living systems are developed as well as a deeper understanding of the principles of heredity, biological evolution, and the diversity and interdependence of life. Students also demonstrate an understanding of different historical perspectives, scientific approaches and emerging scientific issues associated with the life sciences. Indicators for grade 2 1. Explain that animals, including people, need air, water, food, living space and shelter, and plants need air, water, nutrients (e.g., minerals), living space and light to survive. (ORC Resources) 2. Identify that there are many distinct environments that support different kinds of organisms. (ORC Resources) 3. Explain why organisms can survive only in environments that meet their needs (e.g., organisms that once lived on Earth have disappeared for different reasons such as natural forces or human-caused effects). (ORC Resources) 4. Compare similarities and differences among individuals of the same kind of plants and animals, including people. (ORC Resources) 5. Explain that food is a basic need of plants and animals (e.g., plants need sunlight to make food and to grow, animals eat plants and/or other animals for food, food chain) and is important because it is a source of energy (e.g., energy used to play, ride bicycles, read, etc.). (ORC Resources) 6. Investigate the different structures of plants and animals that help them live in different environments (e.g., lungs, gills, leaves and roots). (ORC Resources) 7. Compare the habitats of many different kinds of Ohio plants and animals and some of the ways animals depend on plants and each other. (ORC Resources) 8. Compare the activities of Ohio's common animals (e.g., squirrels, chipmunks, deer, butterflies, bees, ants, bats and frogs) during the different seasons by describing changes in their behaviors and body covering. (ORC Resources) 9. Compare Ohio plants during the different seasons by describing changes in their appearance. (ORC Resources)

Physical Sciences
Students demonstrate an understanding of the composition of physical systems and the concepts and principles that describe and predict physical interactions and events in the natural world. This includes demonstrating an understanding of the structure and properties of matter, the properties of materials and objects, chemical reactions and the conservation of matter. In addition, it includes understanding the nature, transfer and conservation of energy, as well as motion and the forces affecting motion, the nature of waves and interactions of matter and energy. Students also demonstrate an understanding of the historical perspectives, scientific approaches and emerging scientific issues associated with the physical sciences. Indicators for grade 2 1. Explore how things make sound (e.g., rubber bands, tuning fork, strings). (ORC Resources) 2. Explore and describe sounds (e.g., high, low, soft, loud) produced by vibrating objects. (ORC Resources) 3. Explore with flashlights and shadows that light travels in a straight line until it strikes an object. (ORC Resources)

Science and Technology
Students should recognize that science and technology are interconnected and that using technology involves assessment of the benefits, risks, and costs. Students should build scientific and technological knowledge, as well as the skill required to design and construct devices. In addition, they should develop the processes to solve problems and to understand that problems may be solved in several ways. Indicators for grade 2 1. Explain that developing and using technology involves benefits and risks. (ORC Resources) 2. Investigate why people make new products or invent new ways to meet their individual wants and needs. (ORC Resources) 3. Predict how building or trying something new might affect other people and the environment. (ORC Resources) 4. Communicate orally, pictorially, or in written form the design process used to make something. (ORC Resources)

Scientific Inquiry
Students develop scientific habits of mind as they use the processes of scientific inquiry to ask valid questions, and to gather and analyze information. They understand how to develop hypotheses and make predictions. They are able to reflect on scientific practices as they develop plans of action to create and evaluate a variety of conclusions. Students are also able to demonstrate the ability to communicate their findings to others. Indicators for grade 2 1. Ask "how can I/we" questions. (ORC Resources) 2. Ask "how do you know" questions (not "why" questions) in appropriate situations and attempt to give reasonable answers when others ask questions. (ORC Resources) 3. Explore and pursue student-generated "how" questions. (ORC Resources) 4. Use appropriate safety procedures when completing scientific investigations. (ORC Resources) 5. Use evidence to develop explanations of scientific investigations. (What do you think? How do you know?) (ORC Resources) 6. Recognize that explanations are generated in response to observations, events and phenomena. (ORC Resources) 7. Use appropriate tools and simple equipment/instruments to safely gather scientific data (e.g., magnifiers, non-breakable thermometers, timers, rulers, balances, calculators and other appropriate tools). (ORC Resources) 8. Measure properties of objects using tools such as rulers, balances and thermometers. (ORC Resources) 9. Use whole numbers to order, count, identify, measure and describe things and experiences. (ORC Resources) 10. Share explanations with others to provide opportunities to ask questions, examine evidence and suggest alternative explanations. (ORC Resources)

Scientific Ways of Knowing
Students realize that the current body of scientific knowledge must be based on evidence, be predictive, logical, subject to modification, and limited to the natural world. This includes demonstrating an understanding that scientific knowledge grows and advances as new evidence is discovered to support or modify existing theories, as well as to encourage the development of new theories. Students are able to reflect on ethical scientific practices and demonstrate an understanding of how the current body of scientific knowledge reflects the historical and cultural contributions of women and men who provide us with a more reliable and comprehensive understanding of the natural world. Indicators for grade 2 1. Describe that scientific investigations generally work the same way under the same conditions. (ORC Resources) 2. Explain why scientists review and ask questions about the results of other scientists' work. (ORC Resources) 3. Describe ways in which using the solution to a problem might affect other people and the environment. (ORC Resources) 4. Demonstrate that in science it is helpful to work with a team and share findings with others. (ORC Resources)