We have so many exciting things to learn this year! I'll do my best to sum it up. This year you'll learn:
To describe the constant interaction of matter and energy in nature.
To explore how matter is arranged into either simple or complex substances. The strands emphasize how substances store and transfer energy, which can cause them to interact physically and chemically, provide energy to living organisms, or be harnessed and used by humans.
That matter and energy cycle and change in ecosystems through processes that occur during photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
Additionally, substances that provide a benefit to organisms, including humans, are unevenly distributed on Earth due to geologic and atmospheric systems.
Some resources form quickly, allowing them to be renewable, while other resources are nonrenewable.
Evidence reveals that Earth systems change and affect ecosystems and organisms in positive and negative ways.
You will become an energy-literate person! This means: -you can trace energy flows and think in terms of energy systems; -you'll know how much energy you use, for what, and where the energy comes from; -you can assess the credibility of information about energy; -you can communicate about energy and energy use in meaningful ways; -you are able to make informed energy and energy use decisions based on an understanding of impacts and consequences; -you continue to learn about energy through your life
According to the US Department of Energy, “Energy literacy is an understanding of the nature and role of energy in the universe and in our lives. Energy literacy is also the ability to apply this understanding to answer questions and solve problems.”
Our first unit of study will be Storing and Transferring Energy. Objects can store and transfer energy within systems. Energy can be transferred between objects, which involves changes in the object’s energy. There is a direct relationship between an object’s energy, mass, and velocity. Energy can travel in waves and may be harnessed to transmit information.
Our next unit will be focused on Matter and Energy. The physical world is made of atoms and molecules. Even large objects can be viewed as a combination of small particles. Energy causes particles to move and interact physically or chemically. Those interactions create a variety of substances. As molecules undergo a chemical or physical change, the number of atoms in that system remains constant. Humans use energy to refine natural resources into synthetic materials.
Next, we'll learn about Life Systems. Living things use energy from their environment to rearrange matter to sustain life. Photosynthetic organisms are able to transfer light energy to chemical energy. Consumers can break down complex food molecules to utilize the stored energy and use the particles to form new, life-sustaining molecules. Ecosystems are examples of how energy can flow while matter cycles through the living and nonliving components of systems.
Our final unit will be on Natural Resources. Interactions of matter and energy through geologic processes have led to the uneven distribution of natural resources. Many of these resources are nonrenewable and per-capita use can cause positive or negative consequences. As energy flows through the physical world, natural disasters can occur which affect human life. Humans can study patterns in natural systems to anticipate and forecast future disasters and work to mitigate the outcomes.