RPSEC Student Programs for
South Carolina & Georgia Schools

South Carolina Schools

Georgia Schools

Grade 3: SCSS 3.6, 3.8
Grade 4: SCSS 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
Grade 5: SCSS 3.1
Grade 8: SCSS 3.7, 4.1, 4.5

Grade 3 Science
Earth’s Materials and Changes
Standard 3-3: The student will demonstrate an understanding of Earth’s composition and the changes that occur to the features of Earth’s surface. (Earth Science)

Indicators:
3.6 Illustrate Earth’s land features (including volcanoes, mountains, valleys, canyons, caverns, and islands) by using models, pictures, diagrams, and maps.
3.8 Illustrate changes in Earth’s surface that are due to slow processes (including weathering, erosion, and deposition) and changes that are due to rapid processes (including landslides, volcanic eruptions, floods, and earthquakes)

Grade 4 Science
Astronomy
Standard 4-3: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the properties, movements, and locations of objects in the solar system. (Earth Science)

Indicators:
3.1 Recall that Earth is one of many planets in the solar system that orbit the Sun.
3.2 Compare the properties (including the type of surface and atmosphere) and the location of Earth to the Sun, which is a star, and the Moon.
3.3 Explain how the Sun affects Earth.
3.4 Explain how the tilt of Earth’s axis and the revolution around the Sun results in the seasons of the year.

Grade 5 Science
Landforms and Oceans
Standard 5-3: The student will demonstrate an understanding of features, processes, and changes in Earth’s land and oceans. (Earth Science)

Indicator:
3.1 Explain how natural processes (including weathering, erosion, deposition, landslides, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and floods) affect Earth’s oceans and land in constructive and destructive ways.

Grade 8 Science
Earth’s Structure and Processes
Standard 8-3: The student will demonstrate an understanding of materials that determine the structure of Earth and the processes that have altered this structure. (Earth Science)

Indicators:
3.7 Illustrate the creation and changing of landforms that have occurred through geologic processes (including volcanic eruptions and mountain-building forces).

Astronomy: Earth and Space Systems
Standard 8-4: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics, structure, and predictable motions of celestial bodies. (Earth Science)

Indicators:
4.1 Summarize the characteristics and movements of objects in the solar system (including planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and meteors).
4.5 Explain how the tilt of Earth’s axis affects the length of the day and the amount of heating on Earth’s surface, thus causing the seasons of the year.

Grade 4: S4E1 a, b, c, d / S4E2 a, b, c
Grade 6: S6E1 b, c, d, e / S6E2 a, b, c

Grade 4 Science
S4E1: Students will compare and contrast the physical attributes of stars, star patterns, and planets.

Indicators:
a. Recognize the physical attributes of stars in the night sky such as number, size, color and patterns.
b. Compare the similarities and differences of planets to the stars in appearance, position, and number in the night sky.
c. Explain why the pattern of stars in a constellation stays the same, but a planet can be seen in different locations at different times.
d. Identify how technology is used to observe distant objects in the sky.

S4E2: Students will model the position and motion of the earth in the solar system and will explain the role of relative position and motion in determining sequence of the phases of the moon.

Indicators:
a. Explain the day/night cycle of the earth using a model.
b. Explain the sequence of the phases of the moon.
c. Demonstrate the revolution of the earth around the sun and the earth’s tilt to explain the seasonal changes.

Grade 6 Science
S6E1: Students will explore current scientific views of the universe and how those views evolved.

Indicators:
b. Describe the position of the solar system in the Milky Way galaxy and the universe.
c. Compare and contrast the planets in terms of
Size relative to the earth
Surface and atmospheric features
Relative distance from the sun
Ability to support life
d. Explain the motion of objects in the day/night sky in terms of relative position.
e. Explain that gravity is the force that governs the motion in the solar system.

S6E2: Students will understand the effects of the relative positions of the earth, moon and sun.

Indicators:
a. Demonstrate the phases of the moon by showing the alignment of the earth, moon, and sun.
b. Explain the alignment of the earth, moon, and sun during solar and lunar eclipses.
c. Relate the tilt of the earth to the distribution of sunlight throughout the year and its effect on climate.