Science, Grade 7

Unit 1: Scientific Skills and Inquiry

The hands-on doing of Grade 7 science - selecting tools to observe and measure, constructing and evaluating graphs, and building a prototype.

• Construct a prototype
• Construct graphs to display data, and interpret and evaluate
• Select and use tools to observe, measure, and construct.
• Estimate and measure accurately using SI and other standard

Unit 2: Interactions Within Ecosystems

Ecosystems and the biosphere, abiotic and biotic factors, ecological succession, photosynthesis and respiration, food webs and ecological pyramids, and micro-organisms.

• Use appropriate vocabulary related to their investigations of interactions
• Define ecosystem, and describe various examples that range from
• Identify abiotic and biotic components of ecosystems that allow
• Describe ecological succession and identify signs of succession in

• Identify and describe positive and negative examples of human
• Identify environmental, social, and economic factors that should be
• Propose a course of action to protect the habitat
• Compare photosynthesis to cellular respiration, and explain how both

• Analyze food webs, using ecological pyramids, to show energy
• Analyze, using ecological pyramids, the implications of the loss
• Explain, using ecological pyramids, the potential for bioaccumulation within
• Provide examples of scavengers and decomposers, and describe their

• Demonstrate proper use and care of the microscope to
• Identify beneficial and harmful roles played by micro-organisms
• Research and describe human food production or preservation techniques

Unit 3: Particle Theory of Matter

The particle theory, heat and temperature, heat transfer, pure substances and mixtures, solutions and solubility, and separating mixtures.

• Use appropriate vocabulary related to their investigations of the
• Evaluate different types of thermometers using the design process
• Demonstrate the effects of heating and cooling on the
• Compare the boiling and melting points of a variety

• Explain what scientific theories are, and provide some examples.
• Describe the particle theory of matter and use it
• Differentiate between the concept of temperature and the concept
• Demonstrate how heat can be transmitted through solids, liquids,

• Plan an experiment to identify materials that are good
• Use the design process to construct a prototype that
• Recognize that heat energy is the most common by-product
• Identify different forms of energy that can be transformed

• Differentiate between pure substances and mixtures by using the
• Differentiate between the two types of mixtures, solutions and
• Classify a variety of substances used in daily life
• Demonstrate the difference between saturated and unsaturated solutions

• Discuss the potential harmful effects of some substances on
• Identify solutes and solvents in common solid, liquid, and
• Describe solutions by using the particle theory of matter.
• Demonstrate different methods of separating the components of both

• Identify a separation technique used in industry, and explain
• Experiment to determine factors that affect solubility. Include: agitation,
• Describe the concentration of a solution in qualitative and

Unit 4: Forces and Structures

Frame, shell, and solid structures, centre of gravity and stability, internal and external forces, structural strength, and designing structures.

• Use appropriate vocabulary related to their investigations of forces
• Classify natural and human-built structures found locally and around
• Identify the centre of gravity in a model structure,
• Identify internal forces acting on a structure, and describe

• Identify external forces acting on a structure, and describe
• Recognize that internal and external forces apply stress to
• Investigate to determine that the effect of a force
• Describe, using diagrams, how common structural shapes and components

• Describe and demonstrate methods to increase the strength of
• Determine the efficiency of a structure by comparing its
• Evaluate a structure to determine the appropriateness of its
• Use the design process to construct a structure that

Unit 5: Earth’s Crust

Earth's layers, rock and mineral formation, weathering and erosion, the rock cycle, geological resources, and plate tectonics.

• Use appropriate vocabulary related to their investigations of the
• Describe the Earth’s structure. Include: crust, mantle, outer core,
• Describe the geological processes involved in rock and mineral
• Investigate and describe the processes of weathering and erosion,

• Explain how rocks on the Earth constantly undergo a
• Identify geological resources that are used by humans as
• Identify geological resources that are present in Manitoba and
• Identify environmental impacts of geological resource extraction, and describe

• Recognize that soil is a natural resource, and explain
• Describe methods used to control soil erosion, and recognize
• Identify environmental, social, and economic factors that should be
• Describe evidence used to support the continental drift theory,

• Describe evidence used to support the theory of plate
• Explain geological processes and events using the theory of
• Identify specialized careers involving the study of the Earth’s