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NSDL Scientific Literacy Maps
This is a backup of the contents of the now defunct NSDL "strandmaps" website. It is shared here for educational purposes only. Each link is a downloadable PDF. [Right-click, Save As...]
How To Use: Map pages are read from the bottom-up. The arrows show logical connections between concepts. The numbers on the left-side show the grade levels in which those concepts are usually learned. The grade levels are grouped into 3-4 year blocks that are separated by lines across the page. Main ideas are in a row at the very top and divide the page into columns. In other words, all concepts that are aligned horizontally are learned around the same time and all concepts that are aligned vertically have the same underlying idea behind them. Research pages give a few references and provide extra commentary. Please note that not every Map page has a corresponding Research page.
1 - The Nature of Science
Evidence and Resoning in Inquiry [Map; Research]
• lines of reasoning
• observations and evidence
Scientific Investigations [Map; Research]
• control and conditions
• reliability of results
• record-keeping
• kinds of investigations
Scientific Theories [Map; Research]
• making sense of evidence
• alternative explanations
• theory modification
Avoiding Bias in Science [Map; Research]
• reliability of results
• safeguards
• expectations and explanations
The Scientific Community [Map; Research]
• disciplines
• employment and funding
• people
• scientific communication
Science and Society [Map; Research]
• ethics in research
• society affects science
• science affects society
Scientific World View [Map; Research]
• limits of science
• investigating a knowable world
• continuity and change
2 - The Nature of Mathematics
Mathematical Processes [Map; Research]
• studying patterns
• representation and abstraction
• computation and operations
Mathematical Models [Map; Research]
• representation and modeling
• correspondence
• choices in mathematics
• interpreting results
Nature of Mathematics [Map; Research]
• universal language for describing things
• connections to science and technology
• study of patterns
3 - The Nature of Technology
Design Constraints [Map]
• trade-offs in design
• physical constraints
• social constraints
Designed Systems [Map]
• feedback and control
• interacting parts
• failure
Interaction of Technology and Society [Map]
• valuing technology
• society influences technology
• technology influences society
Decisions about Using Technology [Map; Research]
• trade-offs
• costs and benefits
• risks and side-effects
• valuing technology
Technology and Science [Map; Research]
• effect of technology on science
• effect of science on technology
• effect on society
4 - The Physical Setting
Changes in the Earth's Surface [Map; Research]
• earthquakes and volcanoes
• rates of change
• weathering and erosion
• rocks and sediments
Plate Tectonics [Map]
• the earth's interior
• evidence of plates
• earthquakes and volcanoes
Solar System [Map; Research]
• relative motion
• phases of the moon
• observations of the sky
• the planets
• telescopes
Stars [Map; Research]
• the sun and stars
• observations of the sky
• telescopes
Galaxies and the Universe [Map]
• telescopes
• light
• galaxies
Gravity [Map; Research]
• relative motion
• observations of the sky
• the earth's gravity
• forces and motion
Atoms and Molecules [Map; Research]
• invisibly tiny pieces
• basic ingredients
Conservation of Matter [Map; Research]
• changes of state
• changing vs. constant properties
• parts and wholes
• keeping track
States of Matter [Map; Research]
• emergent properties
• heat energy
• changes of state
Chemical Reactions [Map; Research]
• basic ingredients
• changing properties
• reaction rates
Laws of Motion [Map; Research]
• relative motion
• forces and motion
Waves [Map; Research]
• light
• wave motion
• vibrations
Weather and Climate [Map; Research]
• temperature and winds
• water cycle
• atmosphere
• climate change
Use of Earth's Resources [Map]
• use of energy resources
• needs of organisms for Earth's resources
• human impact on the environment
• use of material resources
Energy Transformations [Map; Research]
• forms of energy
• conservation
• dissipation
Electricity and Magnetism [Map; Research]
• effects at the atomic level
• electric charge
• electric currents
• electromagnetism
5 - The Living Environment
DNA and Inherited Characteristics [Map; Research]
• mechanism of inheritance
• sexual reproduction
• cells and development
Variation in Inherited Characteristics [Map]
• variation
• sexual reproduction
• mechanism of inheritance
Biological Evolution [Map; Research]
• evidence from existing organisms
• fossil evidence
Natural Selection [Map; Research]
• changing environments
• variation and advantage
• inherited characteristics
• artificial selection
Flow of Energy in Ecosystems [Map; Research]
• energy in living things
• plants making food
• food web
Flow of Matter in Ecosystems [Map; Research]
• plants making food
• food web
• matter cycles
Cell Functions [Map; Research]
• basic needs
• basic functions
• structures
Cells and Organs [Map]
• cell differentiation
• structure
• division of labor
• functions of organs
Diversity of Life [Map; Research]
• classification
• similarities and differences
• diversity and survival
Interdependence of Life [Map; Research]
• interactions among organisms
• dynamic nature of ecosystems
• dependence of organisms on their environment
• human impact
6 - The Human Organism
Disease [Map; Research]
• genetic problems
• the body's defenses
• infection
Maintaining Good Health [Map; Research]
• diet and exercise
• harmful substances
• conditions for health
Coping With Mental Distress [Map]
• mind/body
• different responses
• different standards
Diagnosis and Treatment of Mental Disorders [Map]
• mind/body
• getting help
• self-awareness
Human Identity [Map; Research]
• similarity to other species
• physical attributes of the human species
• behavioral attributes of the human species
• use of technology
Human Development [Map; Research]
• risks and survival
• growth and development
• cell differentiation
• fertilization and contraception
Basic Functions [Map; Research]
• deriving energy from food
• defense
• coordination
• reproduction
7 - Human Society
Influences on Social Change [Map; Research]
• rules and government
• internal influences on change
• external influences on change
Social Decisions [Map]
• consequences of decisions
• costs, benefits, and alternatives
• personal interests
• rules and government
Heredity and Experience Shape Behavior [Map]
• learning from others
• beliefs and biases
• learning from experience
• effects of heredity
Culture Affects Behavior [Map; Research]
• groups and subcultures
• cultural influences
• learning from others
• reward and punishment
Group Behavior [Map; Research]
• group identity
• group action
Political and Economic Systems [Map; Research]
• politics
• economics
Social Conflict [Map; Research]
• reasons for conflict
• resolving conflict
Global Interdependence [Map]
• communication and transportation technologies
• trade
• treaties
8 - The Designed World
Materials Science [Map; Research]
• physical properties
• synthesis and use of materials
• resource depletion and recycling
Agricultural Technology [Map]
• controlling characteristics
• producing food
• transporting food
• effects on society
Communication Technology [Map]
• devices and media
• coding and decoding
• quality of communication
Computers [Map]
• digital coding
• storing and processing information
• calculating and modeling
Manufacturing [Map]
• materials
• manipulation skills
• manufacturing
• societal implications
Health Technology [Map]
• diagnosis
• treatment
• prevention
Energy Resources [Map; Research]
• resources
• efficient use
• societal and environmental implications
9 - The Mathematical World
Graphic Representation [Map; Research]
• locating points
• graphic displays
• related changes
• alternative representations
Symbolic Representation [Map; Research]
• alternative representations
• symbols and equations
• working with equations
Ratios and Proportionality [Map; Research]
• parts and wholes
• description and comparison
• computation
Describing Change [Map; Research]
• related changes
• kinds of change
• invariance
Averages and Comparisons [Map; Research]
• control and conditions
• comparing groups
• averages and spreads
Correlation [Map; Research]
• control and conditions
• related changes
Statistical Reasoning [Map; Research]
• probability
• prediction
• sampling
Numbers [Map; Research]
• number operations
• describing quantities
Shapes [Map; Research]
• shapes in the real world
• properties of shapes and their relationships
Reasoning [Map; Research]
• use of deductive logic in reasoning
• use of evidence in reasoning
• use of inductive logic in reasoning
• use of analogies in reasoning
10 - Historical Perspectives
The Copernican Revolution [Map]
• determining the structure of the solar system
• nature of science
Classical Mechanics [Map]
• historical development and influence
• nature of science
Relativity [Map]
• mass and energy equivalence
• theory development by Einstein
• nature of science
The Chemical Revolution [Map]
• scientific understanding
• history of development
• nature of science
Moving the Continents [Map]
• scientific ideas about plate tectonics
• development of scientific understanding of the motion of continents
• determining the age of the earth
• nature of science
Splitting the Atom [Map]
• scientific understanding
• history of development
• nature of science
Explaining Evolution [Map]
• scientific ideas about evolution
• development and acceptance of scientific ideas about evolution
• determining the age of the earth
• nature of science
Discovering Germs [Map]
• development of germ theory
• nature of science
The Industrial Revolution [Map]
• technological understanding
• nature of technology
• history of development
11 - Common Themes
Systems [Map; Research]
• boundaries
• interacting parts
• emergent properties
• complexity
Models [Map; Research]
• uses of models
• limitations of models
Constancy [Map; Research]
• conservation
• equilibrium
Patterns of Change [Map; Research]
• directional change
• predicting change
• cyclic change
• monitoring change
Scale [Map]
• effect of size on properties
• variety of magnitudes in nature
• describing extremes
12 - Habits of Mind
Values in Science [Map]
• values particular to science
• common values as applied in science
Public Perception of Science [Map]
• ethics in research
• value and limits of science
• value and limits of technology
Computation and Estimation [Map; Research]
• estimation
• computation
Using Tools and Devices [Map; Research]
• making accurate measurements
• working with tools and troubleshooting
• recording and organizing information
Communication Skills [Map]
• mathematical communication
• visual communication
• oral and written communication
Detecting Flaws in Arguments [Map; Research]
• detecting bias
• detecting misuse of numbers
• detecting overgeneralization
• detecting unfair comparisons
• detecting flawed reasoning
• detecting alternative explanations
• detecting unsupported claims