Grade 6 Science Ontario Curriculum Standards

Science

Stem Skills and Connections

STEM Investigation and Communication Skills: use a scientific research process, a scientific experimentation process, and an engineering design process to conduct investigations, following appropriate health and safety procedures

use a scientific research process and associated skills to conduct investigations

use a scientific experimentation process and associated skills to conduct investigations

use an engineering design process and associated skills to design, build, and test devices, models, structures, and/or systems

follow established health and safety procedures during science and technology investigations, including wearing appropriate protective equipment and clothing and safely using tools, instruments, and materials

communicate their findings, using science and technology vocabulary and formats that are appropriate for specific audiences and purposes

Coding and Emerging Technologies: use coding in investigations and to model concepts, and assess the impact of coding and of emerging technologies on everyday life and in STEM-related fields

write and execute code in investigations and when modelling concepts, with a focus on obtaining input in different ways for a variety of purposes

identify and describe impacts of coding and of emerging technologies on everyday life, including skilled trades

Applications, Connections, and Contributions: demonstrate an understanding of the practical applications of science and technology, and of contributions to science and technology from people with diverse lived experiences

describe practical applications of science and technology concepts in various occupations, including skilled trades, and how these applications address real-world problems

investigate how science and technology can be used with other subject areas to address real-world problems

analyse contributions to science and technology from various communities

Life Systems

Relating Science and Technology to Our Changing World: assess the importance of biodiversity, and describe ways of protecting biodiversity

assess the benefits of biodiversity and the consequences of the diminishing of biodiversity

analyse a local issue related to biodiversity while considering different perspectives; plan a course of action in response to the issue; and act on their plan

Exploring and Understanding Concepts: demonstrate an understanding of biodiversity, its contributions to the stability of natural systems, and its benefits to humans

describe the distinguishing characteristics of different groups of organisms, and use these characteristics to further classify these organisms using a classification system

demonstrate an understanding of biodiversity as the diversity of life on Earth, including the diversity of organisms within species, among species in a community, and among communities and the habitats that support them

describe ways in which biodiversity within species is essential for their survival

describe ways in which biodiversity within and among communities is essential for maintaining the resilience of these communities

describe interrelationships within species, between species, and between species and their natural environment, and explain how these interrelationships sustain biodiversity

explain how invasive species reduce biodiversity in local environments

explain how climate change contributes to a loss of biodiversity, and describe the impact of this loss

describe the importance of biodiversity in supporting agriculture, including Indigenous agriculture around the world

Matter and Energy

Relating Science and Technology to Our Changing World: evaluate the impact of the use and generation of electrical energy on society and the environment, and suggest ways to use electrical energy responsibly

assess the short- and long-term impacts of electrical energy generation technologies in Canada on society and the environment, including impacts on First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities, and on climate change

assess choices that reduce personal use of electrical energy from both renewable and non-renewable sources, and advocate for the responsible use of electrical energy by the school community

Exploring and Understanding Concepts: demonstrate an understanding of the principles of electrical energy and its transformation into and from other forms of energy

explain commonly observed electrostatic phenomena, using the principles of static electricity

describe current electricity, and compare and contrast current electricity with static electricity

identify materials that are good conductors of electric current and materials that are good insulators

describe how technologies transform various forms of energy into electrical energy

describe ways in which electrical energy is transformed into other forms of energy

explain the functions of the components of a simple electrical circuit

distinguish between series and parallel circuits, and identify common uses of each type of circuit

Structures and Mechanisms

Relating Science and Technology to Our Changing World: assess the environmental impacts of flying machines

assess the impacts on society of aviation technologies, while considering both local and global perspectives

Exploring and Understanding Concepts: demonstrate an understanding of the ways in which properties of air can be applied to the principles of flight and flying machines

identify flight-related applications of the properties of air

describe the relationships between the four forces of flight – lift, weight, thrust, and drag – that make flight possible

describe ways in which flying machines and various organisms use balanced and unbalanced forces to control their flight

describe ways in which the four forces of flight can be altered

describe characteristics and adaptations that enable organisms to fly

Earth and Space Systems

Relating Science and Technology to Our Changing World: assess the impact of space exploration on humans, society, and the environment

analyse the impact that conditions in space have on humans engaged in space exploration, and explain how humans meet their social, emotional, and physiological needs in space

assess the role of space exploration technology in observing and understanding environmental changes on Earth, including climate change

evaluate the social and environmental impacts of space exploration, while taking various perspectives into consideration

Exploring and Understanding Concepts: demonstrate an understanding of the solar system, the phenomena that result from the movement of different bodies within it, and the technologies used in space exploration

identify components of the solar system, including the Sun, Earth and other planets, natural satellites, comets, asteroids, and meteoroids, and describe their main physical characteristics

distinguish between the concepts of mass and weight

describe the relationship between the force of gravity and the weight of a body

identify the types of bodies in space that emit light and those that reflect light

describe various effects of the relative positions and motions of Earth, the Moon, and the Sun

identify various technologies used in space exploration, and describe how technological innovations have contributed to our understanding of space