Curriculum is what a child is taught in school—what they learn, how they learn it, and the materials teachers use to help them succeed.
The curriculum shows grade-level Science units and pacing by quarter, aligned with Virginia’s Standards of Learning.
Kindergarten students in Prince William County Public Schools learn the Science Standards of Learning (SOL) set by the Virginia Department of Education. The 2018 SOL require the Scientific and Engineering Practices (SOL K.1 a-f) to be embedded throughout all units of study. Students will experience the following units in this course:
In this unit, students investigate how humans use their senses—sight, smell, hearing, touch, and taste—to gather and respond to different types of information about the world. Students connect each sense to an associated body structure, including eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin/hands, and use sensory descriptors to communicate observations. Students also investigate the physical properties of objects, including color, shape/form, texture/feel, relative size, and relative weight. Through hands-on investigations, they describe, compare, sequence, group, and identify objects based on observable properties.
Standards Covered: K.5a-b, K.3a-d
This unit focuses on developing a foundational understanding of light and shadows. Students will observe how light interacts with different objects to produce shadows and draw conclusions about the role of the sun and sunlight in heating objects.
Standards Covered: K. 8a-c
The revised unit guide will be available by October 12, 2026.
The revised unit guide will be available by December 21, 2026.
The revised unit guide will be available by March 22, 2027.
Grade 1 students in Prince William County Public Schools learn the 2018 Science Standards of Learning (SOL) set by the Virginia Department of Education. The 2018 SOL require the Scientific and Engineering Practices (SOL 1.1 a-f) to be embedded throughout all units of study. Students will experience the following units in this course:
In this unit, students will explore the sun and its importance to life on Earth. Students will learn that the sun’s energy provides light and warmth for Earth. This builds on their knowledge from Kindergarten that light influences temperature on Earth’s surfaces. Students will explore the sun's apparent position in the sky throughout the day and the resulting temperature change.
Standards Covered: 1.6a-b
In this unit, students will investigate and understand changes in weather and seasons. They will explore how temperature, light, and precipitation vary over time and identifying patterns in daily weather. They will also discover how these weather changes impact plants, animals, and humans. Students will begin to identify repeating patterns in nature that provide valuable clues to cause-and-effect relationships (including seasonal changes). By the end of the unit, students will develop the skills to anticipate weather conditions and apply this concept in their daily life. Note: As seasonal change requires observation over months, some concepts/skills may not be mastered during the approximately 12 days of core instruction in this unit.
Standards Covered: 1.7a-b
The revised unit guide will be available by October 12, 2026.
The revised unit guide will be available by December 21, 2026.
The revised unit guide will be available by March 22, 2027.
Grade 2 students in Prince William County Public Schools learn the 2018 Science Standards of Learning (SOL) set by the Virginia Department of Education. The 2018 SOL require the Scientific and Engineering Practices (SOL 2.1 a-f) to be embedded throughout all units of study. Students will experience the following units in this course:
This unit focuses on types of weather and weather patterns. Students will measure and record current weather data and will learn the purpose of tracking weather data over time. Students first observed weather in kindergarten; in grade 1, they learned that the sun is the source of energy on Earth and that precipitation affects people and other living things. In this unit, students will make more concrete connections between weather conditions and specific types of precipitation and storms.
Standards Covered: 2.6a-c
In this unit, students will explore the relationship between weather patterns, seasonal changes, and their impact on our surroundings. Students will investigate how weather and seasonal changes impact the growth and behavior of living things and learn about the effects of wind and weather on Earth’s surface. Students will distinguish between rapid changes, such as flooding, and gradual changes, like beach erosion, and will gain an understanding of how our environment transforms constantly.
Note: As seasonal change requires observation over months, some concepts/skills will not be mastered during the approx. 13 days of core instruction in this unit.
Standards Covered: 2.7a-c
The revised unit guide will be available by October 12, 2026.
The revised unit guide will be available by December 21, 2026.
The revised unit guide will be available by March 22, 2027.
Grade 3 students in Prince William County Public Schools learn the 2018 Science Standards of Learning (SOL) set by the Virginia Department of Education. The 2018 SOL require the Scientific and Engineering Practices (SOL 3.1 a-f) to be embedded throughout all units of study. Students will experience the following units in this course:
This unit builds on students’ study of matter in grade 2 and prepares them for further study in grade 5 by investigating how various substances interact with water. Students will learn that water dissolves more substances than any other liquid and that there are some solids that water cannot dissolve. They will conclude that substances that dissolve in water form a solution, and while the dissolved substance cannot be seen, it is still present.
Standards Covered:3.3a-b
Assessment Dates: 09/28 - 10/02/26
In this unit, students build on their previous study of Earth’s water by investigating the significance of water to all life on Earth. Students are introduced to the idea that water is essential to Earth's processes and that all living things need water to survive. Students explore the processes that make up the water cycle and end the unit with an understanding of its profound impact on Earth’s ecosystems.
Standards Covered: 3.7a-c
About 12 days
The revised unit guide will be available by October 12, 2026.
The revised unit guide will be available by December 21, 2026.
The revised unit guide will be available by March 22, 2027.
Grade 4 students in Prince William County Public Schools learn the 2018 Science Standards of Learning (SOL) set by the Virginia Department of Education. The 2018 SOL require the Scientific and Engineering Practices (SOL 4.1 a-f) to be embedded throughout all units of study. Students will experience the following units in this course:
This unit is foundational to the grade 4 year, which focuses on the theme “Our Place in the Solar System.” Our solar system is a vast place, and in this unit, students learn where Earth fits within it. Students investigate the solar system as a set of interrelated and interdependent elements connected through the flow of matter and energy. Students conclude that the characteristics of these elements, such as the planets, are determined by their composition, primarily due to their location within the solar system.
Standards Covered: 4.5a-c
Assessment Window: 9/21 - 9/25/26
This unit builds upon the previous unit in which students were introduced to our sun and the eight plants that revolve around it. The relationships between the Earth, moon, and sun leads to an understanding of seasons, tides, and phases of the moon. This unit focuses on an understanding of the relationships in the Earth, moon, and sun system. By the end of the unit students will understand the motions of this system, the results of our unique position in it, and how movements in the system affect important aspects of our daily lives.
Standards Covered: 4.6a-d
Assessment Window: 10/26 - 10/30/26
The revised unit guide will be available by October 12, 2026.
The revised unit guide will be available by December 21, 2026.
The revised unit guide will be available by March 22, 2027.
Grade 5 students in Prince William County Public Schools learn the 2018 Science Standards of Learning (SOL) set by the Virginia Department of Education. The 2018 SOL require the Scientific and Engineering Practices (SOL 5.1 a-f) to be embedded throughout all units of study. Students will experience the following units in this course:
This unit is foundational to the grade 5 year, which focuses on the theme “Transforming Energy and Matter.” In this unit, students are introduced to the concept that energy cannot be created or destroyed and explore four types of energy: thermal (heat), radiant (light), mechanical (motion and sound), and electrical (including magnetic fields). Students investigate the idea that energy occurs in different forms, is transferred from place to place by moving objects, and can change from one form to another through transformation.
Standards Covered: 5.2a-d
Assessment Window: 09/07 - 9/11/26
This unit continues students’ study of forms of energy and how they transfer and transform. In this unit, students will explore moving objects, beginning with the concept that moving objects possess kinetic energy (the energy of motion). They will learn that motion is characterized by both the direction and speed of an object, and how changes in motion are influenced by the net force acting on an object and its mass. Students will investigate the effect of collisions, the role of friction, and its importance to everyday life. These fundamental principles of motion, known as Newton’s Laws, will serve as a foundation for further exploration and learning in middle and high school.
Standards Covered: 5.3a-b
Assessment Window: 10/05 - 10/09/26
This unit is foundational to the grade 5 year, which focuses on the theme “Transforming Energy and Matter.” In this unit, students will come to understand that matter consists of atoms that have different properties, and these properties determine the interactions that can occur between different atoms. Therefore, different substances with different properties are best suited for different uses. Matter can change due to heating,
cooling, and mixing, resulting in matter maintaining or losing some of its original characteristics to become classified as mixtures and/or solutions
Standards Covered: 5.7a-c
Assessment Window: 11/02- 11/06/26
This unit is foundational to the grade 5 year, which focuses on the theme “Transforming Energy and Matter.” In this unit, students will come to understand that matter consists of atoms that have different properties, and these properties determine the interactions that can occur between different atoms. Therefore, different substances with different properties are best suited for different uses. Matter can change due to heating, cooling, and mixing, resulting in matter maintaining or losing some of its original characteristics to become classified as mixtures and/or solutions
Standards Covered: 5.7a-c
Assessment Window: 11/02 - 11/06/26
The revised unit guide will be available by October 12, 2026.
The revised unit guide will be available by December 21, 2026.
The revised unit guide will be available by March 22, 2027.
Grade 6 students in Prince William County Public Schools learn the 2018 Science Standards of Learning (SOL) set by the Virginia Department of Education. The 2018 SOL require the Scientific and Engineering Practices (SOL 6.1 a-f) to be embedded throughout all units of study. Students will experience the following units in this course:
Our Earth is in just the right spot in the solar system to support life. The solar system is made up of many different objects—like planets, moons, and asteroids—each with its own special features. These features are shaped by what the object is made of and the forces acting on it. One of the most important forces is gravity, which keeps the planets moving in orbits around the Sun and helps everything stay connected. Thanks to new technology, scientists are always learning more about the solar system, showing us that it’s full of surprises and constantly changing.
Standards Covered: 6.2a-d
Assessment Window: 09/28 - 10/02/26
Earth’s position in the solar system resulted in characteristics that support life. It’s unique properties, orientation within the solar system, tilt, rotation, and revolution create the hospitable planet we will on.
Standards Covered: 6.3a – 6.3e
Assessment Window: 10/26 - 10/30/26
The major source of energy on Earth is solar radiation.
Standards Covered: 6.4a – 6.4d
Assessment Window: 11/30 - 12/04/26
This unit introduces students to the foundational concepts of atomic structure and elemental composition. Students will explore how atoms, consisting of electrons, protons, and neutrons, form the building blocks of matter and how atoms of different elements have unique properties. The unit will cover the use of chemical symbols and formulas to represent elements and compounds and will explain how atoms bond to create new substances. Additionally, students will learn to model chemical changes with chemical equations and understand the prevalence of certain elements in the Earth’s crust, living organisms, oceans, and atmosphere.
Standards Covered: 6.5a – 6.5g
Assessment Window: 01/25 - 01/27/27
The revised unit guide will be available by December 21, 2026.
The revised unit guide will be available by March 22, 2027.
Grade 7 students in Prince William County Public Schools learn the 2018 Science Standards of Learning (SOL) set by the Virginia Department of Education. The 2018 SOL require the Scientific and Engineering Practices (SOL 7.1 a-f) to be embedded throughout all units of study. Students will experience the following units in this course:
All living things are composed of cells; these cells have different structures and organelles that support life processes. Cell theory describes the current understanding of cells. Theories and laws in science are used by scientists to describe natural phenomena. Theories and law are equal in terms of scientific validity.
Standards Covered: LS.2a-c
Assessment Window: 09/21 - 09/25/26
This unit explores the essential life processes and cellular organization, emphasizing the movement of materials via diffusion and osmosis, and the hierarchical structure of organisms from atoms to ecosystems. It highlights the universality of life functions and the specialized cellular systems that support growth, reproduction, and response in both unicellular and multicellular organisms.
Standards Covered: LS.2e, LS.2a LS.3b
Assessment Window: 10/19 – 10/23/26
This unit explores the fundamental processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration, which are essential for the flow of energy through living systems. It delves into how energy from the sun is harnessed by producers to create glucose, forming the basis of food webs, and how this energy is utilized and transformed within cells, highlighting the conservation of matter and energy in biological systems.
Standards Covered: LS.4a-b
Assessment Window: 11/09 – 11/13/26
This unit explores the fundamental processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration, which are essential for the flow of energy through living systems. It delves into how energy from the sun is harnessed by producers to create glucose, forming the basis of food webs, and how this energy is utilized and transformed within cells, highlighting the conservation of matter and energy in biological systems.
Standards Covered: LS.4a-b
Assessment Window: 11/09– 11/13/26
Reproduction is the vital biological process through which organisms pass on genetic information to their offspring, ensuring the continuity and diversity of life. This unit explores the mechanisms of cell division and genetic transfer, including mitosis for growth and repair, and meiosis for creating varied reproductive cells, underpinning the stability and evolution of species.
Standards Covered: LS.2d, LS.10b
Assessment Window: 12/14 - 12/18/26
DNA’s double helix structure is intricately connected to its function of coding for proteins, which are crucial for building and maintaining life. This unit delves into the relationship between DNA, genes, and chromosomes, the role of proteins in cellular functions, and the use of Punnett squares to predict genetic inheritance, emphasizing the distinction between inherited genetic traits and acquired characteristics.
Standards Covered: LS.10a, LS.10c
Assessment Window: 01/25 - 01/29/26
The revised unit guide will be available by December 21, 2026.
The revised unit guide will be available by March 22, 2027.
Grade 8 students in Prince William County Public Schools learn the 2018 Science Standards of Learning (SOL) set by the Virginia Department of Education. The 2018 SOL requires the Scientific and Engineering Practices (SOL 8.1 a-f) to be embedded throughout all units of study. Students will experience the following units in this course:
In this unit, students focus on understanding that all matter is composed of particles (atoms), which are in constant motion. Substances have unique, identifiable chemical and physical properties that affect how they behave. These characteristics can be used to identify an unknown substance by comparing its characteristics to a known substance through investigations. Atoms are composed of subatomic particles, each with its own location and characteristics. Matter exists as different substances that can be utilized based on their properties.
Standards Covered: PS.2c, 3a
Assessment Window: 09/14 - 09/18/26
Atoms are composed of subatomic particles, each with its own location and characteristics. Atomic structure and properties are reflected in the periodic table.
Standards Covered: PS.2a, PS.3b
Assessment Window: 10/12 - 10/16/26
The periodic table is a foundational organizational tool that outlines knowledge about matter in the discipline of chemistry. Memorizing information is not nearly as important as being able to use the tool to understand the interactions and nature of the elements that make up the natural world.
Standards Covered: PS.2b, PS.4a, PS.4b
Assessment Window: 11/09 - 11/13/26
The periodic table is a foundational organizational tool that outlines knowledge about matter in the discipline of chemistry. Memorizing information is not nearly as important as being able to use the tool to understand the interactions and nature of the elements that make up the natural world.
Standards Covered: PS.2b, PS.4a, PS.4b
Assessment Window: 11/09 - 11/13/26
Energy is a quantifiable property of a system that depends on the motion and interactions of matter and radiation within that system. That there is a single quantity called energy is due to the fact that a system’s total energy is conserved, even as, within the system, energy is continually transferred from one object to another between various forms.
Standards Covered: PS.3b, PS.3c, PS.3d
Assessment Window: 01/04 - 01/08/27
Energy is a quantifiable property of a system that depends on the motion and interactions of matter and radiation within that system. That there is a single quantity called energy is because a system’s total energy is conserved, even as, within the system, energy is continually transferred from one object to another between various forms.
Standards Covered: PS.5a, PS.5b, PS.5c
Assessment Window: 01/25 - 01/29/27
The revised unit guide will be available by December 21, 2026.
The revised unit guide will be available by March 22, 2027.
Biology 1 students in Prince William County Public Schools learn the 2018 Science Standards of Learning (SOL) set by the Virginia Department of Education. The 2018 SOL require the Scientific and Engineering Practices (SOL BIO.1 a-f) to be embedded throughout all units of study. Students will experience the following units in this course:
Organisms are complex systems that require energy and materials to support biochemical processes that maintain metabolism. Students learn how the physical and chemical properties of water contribute to metabolism, components of living cells, macromolecules and their functions, and the role enzymes play for living things.
Standards Covered: BIO.2a-c
Assessment Window: 09/20 - 09/19/26
All living things are composed of cells. Although there are many different types of cells in terms of size, structure, and function, all cells have certain characteristics in common. The cell theory encapsulated the current understanding of the cell. Both theory and laws describe nature phenomena and are equal in terms of scientific validity.
Standards Covered: BIO.3a, BIO.3b, BIO3d
Assessment Window: 10/19 - 10/23/26
In this unit, students learn about how biological systems utilize energy and matter to maintain organization, growth, and reproduction. They will explore the process of photosynthesis, understanding how it converts light energy into stored chemical energy. Students will also delve into the interconnected processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration, discovering how living organisms derive energy from sugar and oxygen to sustain life.
Standards Covered: BIO.2e
Assessment Window: 11/09 - 11/13/26
This unit explores the intricate structure and function of DNA, emphasizing its role in genetic information transfer and protein production. Students will compare various DNA models, understand the significance of DNA replication in cell division, and delve into the processes of transcription and translation in protein synthesis. This unit also covers synthetic biology, where students will evaluate genetic engineering tools and debate the ethical implications of altering genomes.
Standards Covered: BIO.2d, BIO.3c, BIO.5a, BIO.5b, BIO.5e
Assessment Window: 12/07 - 12/11/26
This unit on cell growth, division, and specialization explores the essential processes that sustain life. Students will model and describe the stages of the cell cycle and mitosis, emphasizing the critical role of DNA replication in cell division. They will investigate how cell specialization supports the life processes of both unicellular and multicellular organisms, demonstrating how a cell’s structure is intricately linked to its function. Additionally, the unit will cover meiosis, highlighting its importance in sexual reproduction and genetic diversity, and comparing it to mitosis to understand the conditions necessary for each process.
Standards Covered: BIO.3c, BIO.3e, BIO.5d
Assessment Window: 01/25 - 01/29/27
This unit on genetics and heredity introduces Mendelian and non-Mendelian genetics. Students will learn how genotypes determine phenotypes, use Punnett squares for genetic predictions, and understand the role of probability in genetic variation. The unit also covers the basics of DNA structure, reproduction, and the importance of genetic diversity.
Standards Covered: BIO.5c
Assessment Window: 02/15 - 02/19/27
This unit on genetics and heredity introduces Mendelian and non-Mendelian genetics. Students will learn how genotypes determine phenotypes, use Punnett squares for genetic predictions, and understand the role of probability in genetic variation. The unit also covers the basics of DNA structure, reproduction, and the importance of genetic diversity.
Standards Covered: BIO.5c
Assessment Window: 02/15 - 02/19/27
The remaining revised unit guide will be available by December 21, 2026.
The revised unit guide will be available by March 22, 2027.
Chemistry 1 students in Prince William County Public Schools learn the 2018 Science Standards of Learning (SOL) set by the Virginia Department of Education. The 2018 SOL require the Scientific and Engineering Practices (SOL CH.1 a-f) to be embedded throughout all units of study. Students will experience the following units in this course:
This unit will deepen understanding of atomic components, radioactivity, and the impact of changing these components. It will also explore electron behavior and the Quantum-mechanical model, our current representation of atoms.
Standards Covered: CH.2a, CH2.b, CH.2d, CH.2e
This unit will deepen understanding of the periodic table, how it is organized, and the different trends (atomic radius, electronegativity, ionization energy, and the shielding effect) present on the table. It will also explore an element's electron configuration and how those configurations help predict bonding.
Standards Covered: CH.2c-d
This unit will explore the fundamental concepts of chemical bonding, including the formation of covalent and ionic bonds. It will also investigate the significance of polar and non-polar bonds, molecular geometry prediction, and the role of key elements like carbon in biological systems.
Standards Covered: CH.3a-b, CH.3d-e
This unit will explore the fundamental concepts of chemical bonding, including the formation of covalent and ionic bonds. It will also investigate the significance of polar and non-polar bonds, molecular geometry prediction, and the role of key elements like carbon in biological systems.
Standards Covered: CH.3a-b, CH.3d-e
In this unit, students will explore the conservation of mass by writing and balancing chemical equations. Students will investigate to classify reaction types as one of six types and use that knowledge of reaction types to predict the products of single and double replacement reactions.
Standards Covered: CH.3c, CH.3f
In this unit, students will use Avogadro’s principle to understand the mole and perform mole conversions. Students will also determine the percent composition and empirical and molecular formula of a substance. This unit provides the foundational information required for the next unit, Stoichiometry.
Standards Covered: CH.4a, CH.4b
In this unit, students will use Avogadro’s principle to understand the mole and perform mole conversions. Students will also determine the percent composition and empirical and molecular formula of a substance. This unit provides the foundational information required for the next unit, Stoichiometry.
Standards Covered: CH.4a, CH.4b
The remaining revised unit guide will be available by December 21, 2026.
The revised unit guide will be available by March 22, 2027.
Earth Science I students in Prince William County Public Schools learn the 2018 Science Standards of Learning (SOL) set by the Virginia Department of Education. The 2018 SOL require the Scientific and Engineering Practices (SOL ES.1 a-f) to be embedded throughout all units of study. Students will experience the following units in this course:
This unit explores the big bang theory as the scientific explanation for the universe’s origins and how stars, star systems, and galaxies evolve over time. It will also investigate how the composition of celestial bodies influences their features, while recognizing the impact of space exploration on expanding our understanding of the universe’s structure and nature.
Standards Covered: ES.2a-d
In this unit, students will study the interactions between the Sun, Earth, and Moon, while exploring their roles in creating seasons, moon phases, eclipses, and tides. They will also practice map reading skills using latitude and longitude coordinates to understand the sun-Earth relationship.
Standards Covered: ES.3a-b
In this unit, students will examine the characteristics of minerals, including their chemical composition, crystal structure, and physical properties. They will also examine the diverse uses of minerals in agriculture, manufacturing, and construction. Furthermore, students will investigate the creation of minerals under different conditions, gaining insight into how energy transfer and chemical composition impact mineral formation.
Standards Covered: ES.4a-c
This unit will explore the formation and transformation of rocks through diverse processes, gaining insights on how rocks evolve over time, delving into the rock cycle. It will also look at the identification and classification of rocks based on composition, texture, and formation processes. Finally, this unit will investigate the profound impact of weathering, erosion, and deposition on Earth’s surface.
Standards Covered: ES.5a – ES.5d
This unit will explore the formation and transformation of rocks through diverse processes, gaining insights on how rocks evolve over time, delving into the rock cycle. It will also look at the identification and classification of rocks based on composition, texture, and formation processes. Finally, this unit will investigate the profound impact of weathering, erosion, and deposition on Earth’s surface.
Standards Covered: ES.5a – ES.5d
In this unit, students will explore the theory of plate tectonics and how it is central to many Earth Science concepts. It explains how the structure of the Earth’s crust and many associated phenomena result from the interaction of rigid lithospheric plates that move slowly over the underlying mantle.
Standards Covered: ES.7a – ES.7d
In this unit, students will explore water on Earth. Water is found everywhere on Earth, from the heights of the atmosphere to the depths of the mantle. Although 70% of the planet’s surface is covered in water, only 2.5% is in the form of freshwater. Water not only impacts geological processes, but the limited amount of freshwater indicates it is a resource that must be conserved.
Standards Covered: ES.8a – ES.8d
The revised unit guide will be available by December 21, 2026.
The revised unit guide will be available by March 22, 2027.
Environmental Science students in Prince William County Public Schools learn the 2025 Science Standards of Learning (SOL) set by the Virginia Department of Education. The 2025 SOL require the Scientific and Engineering Practices (SOL ENV.1 a-f) to be embedded throughout all units of study. Students will experience the following units in this course :
In this unit, students will explore how Earth functions as a dynamic system of interconnected spheres: the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere. Students will investigate how energy and matter move through Earth’s systems, the unique properties of water that support life, and the biogeochemical cycles that maintain balance within ecosystems. Students will also examine Earth’s energy budget and the role of solar energy and the greenhouse effect in sustaining life and influencing weather and climates.
Standards Covered: ENV.2a - 2d
In this unit, students explore how natural processes and human activities shape and reshape Earth’s surface over time. Through investigations and modeling, students examine weathering, erosion, soil formation, watersheds, the rock cycle, and tectonic activity. Students also evaluate how human actions impact Earth’s surface and ecosystems using scientific evidence and reasoning.
Standards Covered: ENV.3a - 3c
This unit examines how living organisms interact with each other and with their physical environment to maintain ecosystem equilibrium. Students explore ecosystem structure, energy flow, matter cycling, ecological roles, and succession while analyzing how invasive species, environmental pressures, and human activities affect biodiversity and ecosystem stability. Real-world examples, including Virginia ecosystems, are used to investigate ecosystem change over time.
Standards Covered: ENV.4a - 4i
This unit examines how living organisms interact with each other and with their physical environment to maintain ecosystem equilibrium. Students explore ecosystem structure, energy flow, matter cycling, ecological roles, and succession while analyzing how invasive species, environmental pressures, and human activities affect biodiversity and ecosystem stability. Real-world examples, including Virginia ecosystems, are used to investigate ecosystem change over time.
Standards Covered: ENV.4a - 4i
In this unit, students explore how populations change over time and how environmental factors influence population size, biodiversity, and ecosystem stability. Students will analyze population growth patterns, investigate limiting factors and carrying capacity and examine the role of genetic variation in species survival. They will also evaluate how environmental pressures and human population growth affect biodiversity and ecosystems, while exploring sustainable solutions to environmental challenges.
Standards Covered: ENV.5a - 5e
The revised unit guide will be available by December 21, 2026.
The revised unit guide will be available by March 22, 2027.
Physics I students in Prince William County Public Schools learn the 2018 Science Standards of Learning (SOL) set by the Virginia Department of Education. The 2018 SOL require the Scientific and Engineering Practices (SOL PH.1 a-f) to be embedded throughout all units of study. Students will experience the following units in this course:
In this unit, students expand on what they already know, beginning by exploring the concepts of distance, displacement, velocity, and speed, and how they are related. They will learn to master this terminology and solve simple problems using equations. Finally, they will continue to learn by exploring how to create visual models of motion and learn the basics of vectors.
Standards Covered: PH.2a-b
In this unit, students will expand on what they already know about acceleration. They will learn about uniform acceleration, gravity and free-fall, and continued graphical analysis of motion.
Standards Covered: PH.2a
This unit focuses on understanding the fundamental concepts of position, velocity, and acceleration, and their interrelation with time. Students will delve into solving problems involving uniform circular motion, two-dimensional vectors, and projectile motion, enabling them to analyze displacement, velocity, acceleration, and time in both one and two dimensions.
Standards Covered: PH.2c-d
This unit on forces will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles governing the motion of objects. Students will solve problems involving force, mass, and acceleration, will learn to use free-body diagrams to analyze forces, and explain motion using Newton’s laws.
Standards Covered: PH.3a, PH.3b
In this unit, students will explore the principles of momentum and its conservation in mechanical systems. They will investigate how momentum is transferred between objects, use mathematical representations to demonstrate conservation, and solve related problems. Additionally, students will apply scientific and engineering concepts to design devices that minimize force during collisions.
Standards Covered: PH.4a
This unit explores the fundamental concepts of energy, including its various forms and transformations in everyday life. Students will investigate the conservation of energy in mechanical systems and conduct experiments to understand the conservation of electric charge. Additionally, they will solve problems related to work and power, applying these concepts to real-world scenarios.
Standards Covered: PH.4b
The revised unit guide will be available by December 21, 2026.
The revised unit guide will be available by March 22, 2027.
These instructional materials have been reviewed and approved for Science instruction.
Mystery Science (Grades K-5)
FOSS Modules (Grades 3-5)
Scholastic SuperSTEM (Grades 4-5)
Gizmos (Grades 3-12)
Newsela
| Course/Grade | Publisher | Title |
|---|---|---|
| K-5 | Exploring Science All Around Us Series | Five Ponds Press |
| Course/Grade | Publisher | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 6 | Virginia Elevate Science Grade 6 | Savvas Learning Company LLC |
| Grade 7 | STEMscopes Life Science | Accelerate Learning, Inc. |
| Grade 8 | STEMscopes Physical Science | Accelerate Learning, Inc. |
| Course/Grade | Publisher | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | Virginia Biology | Savvas Learning Company LLC |
| Chemistry | Pearson Chemistry | Savvas Learning Company LLC |
| Earth Science | National Geographic Earth and Space Science | National Geographic/Cengage |
| Environmental Science | Environmental Science: Sustaining Your World | National Geographic/Cengage |
| Physics | Essential Physics | PASCO Scientific |
Science resources to support your child at home.