11th Grade Oklahoma Science Standards: Biology

• The Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science guide science education in Oklahoma, covering Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Earth and Space Sciences, Scientific Inquiry, and Engineering Design for 11th grade.

Biological Sciences

• Focuses on understanding life and living organisms, encompassing structure, function, growth, origins, evolution, distribution, and classification.
• Living organisms are composed of hierarchical levels of organization, from atoms and molecules to cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems.
• The cell is the fundamental unit of life, carrying out essential functions like energy processing, reproduction, and protein synthesis.
• Covers the structure and function of DNA and RNA, emphasizing their roles in storing and transmitting genetic information.
• Details the mechanisms of inheritance, including Mendelian genetics and chromosomal inheritance.
• Explores evolutionary processes, including natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow.
• Mechanisms lead to adaptation, speciation, and biodiversity.
• Explains ecological concepts, including population dynamics, community structure, ecosystem function, and biodiversity.
• Stresses interactions between organisms and their environment.
• Covers the flow of energy and cycling of matter in ecosystems.
• Emphasizes human impacts on the environment, including pollution, deforestation, climate change, and biodiversity loss.
• Promotes understanding of conservation efforts and sustainable practices.

Physical Sciences

• Focuses on the fundamental laws and principles governing the behavior of matter and energy.
• Covers mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, optics, and quantum mechanics.
• Explores the concepts of force, motion, energy, and momentum.
• Includes Newton's laws of motion, conservation laws, work, energy, and power.
• Examines thermal energy, heat transfer, specific heat, and phase changes.
• Covers the laws of thermodynamics and their implications for energy transformations and entropy.
• Explores electric charge, electric fields, electric potential, current, resistance, and circuits.
• Expands on magnetism, magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction, and electromagnetic waves.
• Includes understanding the properties and behavior of light, reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference, and polarization.
• Introduces quantum mechanics, including wave-particle duality, the uncertainty principle, and atomic structure.
• Covers nuclear physics, including radioactivity, nuclear reactions, and nuclear energy.
• Explores the nature of matter at the atomic and subatomic levels.
• Covers chemical reactions, stoichiometry, equilibrium, acids, bases, and redox reactions.
• Focuses on the properties and states of matter, including solids, liquids, gases, and plasma.
• Includes phase transitions and intermolecular forces.

Earth and Space Sciences

• Focuses on the study of Earth and its place in the universe, including geology, meteorology, oceanography, and astronomy.
• Covers Earth's structure, including the crust, mantle, and core, as well as the processes that shape Earth's surface, such as plate tectonics, volcanism, erosion, and sedimentation.
• Explores the rock cycle, mineral formation, and the formation of different types of rocks.
• Examining the composition and dynamics of the atmosphere, including weather patterns, climate, and atmospheric circulation.
• Covers the water cycle, ocean currents, tides, and marine ecosystems.
• Studies celestial objects, including stars, planets, galaxies, and the universe as a whole.
• Examines the formation and evolution of the solar system, the life cycle of stars, and the structure of galaxies.
• Includes the Big Bang theory, the expansion of the universe, and the search for extraterrestrial life.
• Focuses on the interactions between Earth's systems, including the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.
• Emphasizes the importance of Earth's resources and the need for sustainable management.
• Covers natural hazards, such as earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, and floods, and their impacts on society.
• Focuses on climate change, its causes and consequences, and mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Scientific Inquiry

• Requires students to develop the ability to ask testable questions, design experiments, collect and analyze data, and draw conclusions based on evidence.
• Focuses on the scientific method, including observation, hypothesis formation, experimental design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
• Emphasizes the importance of controlling variables, using appropriate sample sizes, and minimizing experimental error.
• Covers data analysis techniques, including descriptive statistics, graphical analysis, and statistical inference.
• Requires students to communicate scientific findings effectively through written reports, oral presentations, and visual displays.
• Includes critical thinking skills, such as evaluating evidence, identifying biases, and drawing logical conclusions.
• Focuses on the nature of science, including its limitations, assumptions, and ethical considerations.
• Requires students to differentiate between scientific and non-scientific claims.
• Covers the role of peer review in ensuring the validity and reliability of scientific knowledge.
• Emphasizes the importance of collaboration and communication in scientific research.

Engineering Design

• Involves applying scientific and mathematical knowledge to develop solutions to practical problems.
• Focuses on the engineering design process, including problem definition, brainstorming, design, prototyping, testing, and refinement.
• Requires students to consider constraints such as cost, time, materials, and environmental impact.
• Emphasizes the importance of creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills.
• Covers the use of computer-aided design (CAD) software, modeling, and simulation tools.
• Includes teamwork, communication, and project management skills.
• Focuses on the ethical and social implications of engineering solutions.
• Requires students to design and build prototypes, test their performance, and refine their designs based on feedback.
• Covers the role of engineering in addressing societal challenges, such as energy, transportation, healthcare, and environmental sustainability.
• Emphasizes the iterative nature of the design process and the importance of continuous improvement.