Science 9

Unit 1: Reproduction

From the genetic information in a cell's nucleus to how organisms reproduce - genes and chromosomes, the history of genetics, mitosis and meiosis, cell growth, sexual versus asexual reproduction, flowers and plant reproduction, mutations, and the ethics and technology of genetics.

• The nucleus and genetic information
• Using the terms gene and chromosome
• Major shifts in understanding genetics
• Mitosis and meiosis
• Graphing cell growth rate

• Distinguishing sexual and asexual reproduction
• Advantages of each reproduction type
• Investigable questions on plant reproduction
• Investigating flower structure safely
• Communicating investigation results

• Genetic conditions we cannot yet cure
• Factors that change genetic information
• Evaluating evidence on genetics
• Technologies from cellular knowledge
• Canadian contributions to genetics

Unit 2: Atoms and Elements

The nature of matter - changing ideas about matter, lab safety, physical properties and change, atomic theory and models up to the Bohr model, the periodic table and classification, elements and chemical formulas, and the technologies chemistry has made possible.

• Changing conceptions of matter
• WHMIS and safe lab technique
• Investigating physical properties
• Displaying property data
• Changes from chemical reactions
• Physical versus chemical change
• New questions from investigations

• Atomic theory up to the Bohr model
• Modelling atomic structure
• Technologies enabling chemistry research
• Chemistry in individual and group settings
• Using the terms law and theory

• Common elements and their atomic structure
• How the periodic table developed
• Using a classification key
• Reading a chemical formula
• Chemistry and commercial materials
• Limited resources and efficient extraction

Unit 3: Characteristics of Electricity

From static charge to the electricity that powers our homes - static electricity, current and circuits, Ohm's Law and resistance, measuring with ammeters and voltmeters, electrical energy and cost, efficiency, energy transfer from station to home, and the choices behind electrical energy production.

• Properties of static charge
• Producing static charge
• Technologies from static electricity
• Careers related to electricity
• Charge flow and resistance in a circuit
• Static electricity versus electric current

• Framing testable circuit questions
• Measuring with ammeters and voltmeters
• Sources of error in meter readings
• Explaining discrepancies in data
• Graphing circuit data
• Ohm's Law in series and parallel circuits

• Electrical energy and power costs
• Interpreting EnerGuide labels and utility bills
• Past and current electrical technologies
• Efficiency of an electrical appliance
• Energy transfer from station to home
• Evaluating electrical energy sources
• Using recent data on energy problems
• Reducing electrical energy use
• Development of alternative energy sources

Unit 4: Space Exploration

From the sky above to the edge of the universe - the apparent motion of celestial bodies, the formation and composition of the solar system, solar phenomena, the origin and structure of the universe, cosmic distances, space technologies, and space-related careers.

• Apparent motion of celestial bodies
• Formation of the solar system
• Composition of the solar system
• Testing theories about the solar system
• Canadian space research involvement
• Taking a position on space exploration

• Solar phenomena and their effects on Earth
• Designing a model space station
• Origin and evolution of the universe
• Major components of the universe
• Calculating travel time to a star
• How technology reveals the universe
• Comparing stars and building a model
• Space exploration careers in Canada
• New questions from studying space
• The science behind space technologies