Science, Grade 9 (Senior 1)

Unit 1: Scientific Skills and Inquiry

The senior-years doing of science in Senior 1 - selecting methods and tools for collecting data, measuring accurately in SI units, and recording and displaying data.

• Select and use appropriate methods and tools for collecting
• Estimate and measure accurately using Système International (SI) and
• Record, organize, and display data using an appropriate format.

Unit 2: Reproduction

Mitosis and meiosis, asexual and sexual reproduction, human reproductive systems and development, single-trait inheritance, DNA and genes, and biotechnology issues.

• Illustrate and explain the process of mitotic cell division
• Observe and explain the dynamic nature of cell division
• Describe various types of asexual reproduction that occur in
• Investigate and describe agricultural applications of asexual reproduction
• Illustrate and explain the production of male and female

• Compare and contrast the functions of mitosis to that
• Compare sexual and asexual reproduction in terms of their
• Investigate and explain adaptations of plant and animal species
• Describe the structure and function of the male and
• Outline human development from conception through birth. Include: X

• Observe, collect, and analyze class data of single trait
• Differentiate between dominant and recessive genes. Include: genotype, phenotype
• Describe the relationship among DNA, chromosomes, genes, and the
• Explain the inheritance of sex-linked traits in humans and
• Investigate and describe environmental factors and personal choices that

• Investigate Canadian and international contributions to research and technological
• Discuss current and potential applications and implications of biotechnologies
• Use the decision-making process to address a current biotechnology

Unit 3: Atoms and Elements

Historical models of matter and the atom, elements and symbols, atomic structure, Bohr models, the periodic table, metals and non-metals, compounds and formulas, and chemical change.

• Describe how historical ideas and models furthered our understanding
• Investigate the historical progression of the atomic model. Include:
• Define element and identify symbols of some common elements.
• Explain the atomic structure of an atom in terms
• Assemble or draw Bohr atomic models for the first

• Investigate the development of the periodic table as a
• Investigate the characteristic properties of metals, non-metals, and metalloids
• Relate the reactivity and stability of different families of
• Compare elements to compounds. Include: atoms, molecules
• Interpret chemical formulas of elements and compounds in terms

• Investigate properties of substances and explain the importance of
• Differentiate between physical and chemical changes
• Experiment to determine indicators of chemical change
• Investigate technologies and natural phenomena that demonstrate chemical change

Unit 4: Nature of Electricity

Two types of charge, the particle model of electricity, electrostatics, current, voltage and resistance, circuits, household wiring and safety, electrical power, and energy conservation.

• Demonstrate evidence for the existence of two types of
• Discuss early models of electricity to support the premise
• Explain how a discrepant event can be used to
• Relate the particle model of electricity to atomic structure
• Investigate and explain electrostatic phenomena using the particle model

• Investigate common electrostatic technologies and phenomena and describe measures
• Construct one or more electrostatic apparatus and explain how
• Demonstrate and explain the like nature of electrostatics and
• Define electric current as charge per unit time and
• Define voltage (electric potential difference) as the energy per

• Identify the five sources of electrical energy and some
• Describe resistance in terms of the particle model of
• Construct electric circuits using schematic diagrams. Include: series, parallel
• Use appropriate instruments and units to measure voltage (electric
• Compare and contrast voltage and current in series and

• Investigate and describe qualitatively the relationship among current, voltage
• Relate the energy dissipated in a circuit to the
• Explain the parallel circuits, the components, and the safety
• Explain safety considerations of some common household electrical appliances
• Define electrical power as energy per unit time, and

• Develop a formula for domestic power consumption costs, and
• Analyze the electrical energy consumption of a household appliance.
• Recognize and explain the importance of incorporating principles of
• Use the decision-making process to address an issue associated

Unit 5: Exploration of the Universe

Locating celestial objects, apparent motion, historical Earth-space models, astronomical distances, components of the universe, and space technologies.

• Use a coordinate system to locate visible celestial objects,
• Observe the motion of visible celestial objects and organize
• Investigate how various cultures used knowledge of the position
• Compare and contrast historical perspectives on the relationship between
• Explain reasons for the apparent motion of the Sun,

• Differentiate between units of measure used for astronomical distances,
• Compare and contrast scientific and cultural perspectives on the
• Differentiate between the major components of the universe. Include:
• Explain how various technologies have extended our ability to
• Investigate ways in which Canada participates in space research

• Evaluate the impact of space science and technologies in