Prince Edward Island · Grade 9
Science, Grade 9
Prince Edward Island’s Grade 9 science course, from Working Like a Scientist to Understanding Electricity.
- Units
- 4
- Lessons
- 9
- Skills
- 30
- Provincial exam
- None
- Official curriculum
- princeedwardisland.ca
Unit by unit
Every skill in the course, numbered by unit.
Unit 1 · 12 skills
Working Like a Scientist
Science as a Way of Knowing
Science as a unique way of knowing
I can explain what makes science a unique way of knowing.
Skill 1.1
Evaluating whether a claim is reasonable
I can judge, with support, whether a reported claim is scientifically reasonable.
Skill 1.2
Reading, Investigating, and Communicating Science
Making meaning from science text
I can make meaning from a piece of science informational text.
Skill 1.3
Communicating scientific thinking in writing
I can write a clear report or argument that communicates my scientific thinking.
Skill 1.4
Designing an investigation
I can design a fair investigation to examine a relationship between two variables.
Skill 1.5
The engineering design process
I can use the engineering design process to build a solution to a real need.
Skill 1.6
Investigating safely to collect data
I can safely carry out an investigation and collect useful data.
Skill 1.7
Analysing data for patterns
I can analyse data to find patterns, trends, and causal relationships.
Skill 1.8
Evaluating the strength of evidence
I can evaluate, with support, how strong the evidence from an investigation is.
Skill 1.9
Science, Society, and Choices
Benefits and risks of developments
I can examine the benefits and risks of a scientific or technological development.
Skill 1.10
Defending a decision from multiple perspectives
I can defend a decision on a science issue while considering multiple perspectives.
Skill 1.11
Connecting to science careers
I can connect my own skills and interests to opportunities in science careers.
Skill 1.12
The official wording · 12 outcomes
- 1.1
- Understand science as a unique way of knowing.
- 1.2
- Evaluate, with support, if a reported idea or claim is scientifically reasonable.
- 1.3
- Construct meaning from science-based informational text.
- 1.4
- Compose written reports and arguments to effectively communicate scientific thinking.
- 1.5
- Design an investigation to examine a relationship between variables.
- 1.6
- Apply the engineering design process to develop a technical solution that addresses a need.
- 1.7
- Conduct investigations safely to collect data that can be used to answer questions or learn scientific concepts.
- 1.8
- Analyze data to determine patterns, trends, and causal relationships.
- 1.9
- Evaluate, with support, the strength of evidence resulting from a scientific investigation.
- 1.10
- Examine the benefits and risks of scientific and technological developments.
- 1.11
- Defend decisions or judgments regarding scientific or technological issues, with consideration of multiple perspectives.
- 1.12
- Reflect on personal characteristics, skills, and opportunities that connect to a career in science.
Key ideas
Science explains the natural world using empirical evidence - things we can observe and measure.
Science text often packs a lot of information into few words.
New developments bring benefits and also carry risks.
Scientific ideas are tested and can change when new evidence appears.
Diagrams, labels, and captions carry meaning alongside the words.
Watch out for
- Thinking science is a fixed set of facts - it is a process, and its explanations can change with evidence.
- Thinking you must read science text once, quickly, like a story - it often needs slow, repeated reading.
- Thinking a technology is purely good or purely bad - most have both benefits and risks.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 2 · 7 skills
Sustainability of Ecosystems
Sustainable Ecosystems: Matter and Energy
Vocabulary of sustainable ecosystems
I can use the key vocabulary of sustainable ecosystems correctly.
Skill 2.1
Photosynthesis and respiration as opposite reactions
I can explain why photosynthesis and respiration are opposite reactions and vital to life.
Skill 2.2
Matter cycles and why they matter
I can explain how matter cycles work and predict the effect of changing one part.
Skill 2.3
Energy flow through trophic levels
I can explain how energy flows through trophic levels and why it decreases at each level.
Skill 2.4
Populations, Carrying Capacity, and Biodiversity
Population changes and carrying capacity
I can analyse how limiting factors shape a population and its carrying capacity.
Skill 2.5
Human activity and invasive species
I can describe human activities that reduce biodiversity, including invasive species.
Skill 2.6
Biodiversity and ecosystem health
I can explain how biodiversity affects the health and resilience of an ecosystem.
Skill 2.7
The official wording · 7 outcomes
- 2.1
- sustainability of life, biodiversity, population size, and cycling of matter and energy
- 2.2
- sustainability of life
- 2.3
- cycling of matter and energy
- 2.4
- cycling of matter and energy
- 2.5
- population size
- 2.6
- biodiversity
- 2.7
- biodiversity
Key ideas
Biotic factors are living; abiotic factors are non-living parts of an ecosystem.
Population size depends on births, deaths, immigration, and emigration.
A sustainable ecosystem maintains balance (equilibrium) over time.
Limiting factors (food, space, competition, disease) cap how many can be supported.
Biodiversity is the variety of species and of individuals within a population.
Watch out for
- Thinking 'ecosystem' means only the animals - it includes non-living factors too.
- Thinking a population can grow forever - limiting factors set a ceiling.
- Thinking biodiversity just means 'more animals' - it includes variety within and between species.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 3 · 6 skills
Atoms, Elements, and Compounds
Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table
Atomic vocabulary and subatomic particles
I can name the subatomic particles and describe their location, charge, and size.
Skill 3.1
Physical and chemical properties
I can distinguish physical from chemical properties and give examples of each.
Skill 3.2
Patterns in the periodic table
I can find patterns in the periodic table and predict an element's properties from its position.
Skill 3.3
Ions and Compounds
Atoms, ions, and chemical change
I can explain how an atom becomes an ion and how chemical change rearranges atoms.
Skill 3.4
Ionic and molecular compounds
I can distinguish ionic from molecular compounds and how each forms.
Skill 3.5
Chemical formulas and ratios
I can read a chemical formula for the type and ratio of atoms and tell pure substances from mixtures.
Skill 3.6
The official wording · 6 outcomes
- 3.1
- structure and properties of atoms and their elements
- 3.2
- properties of atoms and their elements
- 3.3
- patterns in the structure and properties of atoms and their elements
- 3.4
- composition of ionic and molecular compounds
- 3.5
- ionic and molecular compounds
- 3.6
- composition of ionic and molecular compounds
Key ideas
An atom has a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, with electrons outside.
An ion is an atom that has lost or gained valence electrons and carries a charge.
Protons have a +1 charge, electrons a -1 charge, and neutrons no charge.
Losing electrons gives a positive ion; gaining electrons gives a negative ion.
Protons and neutrons are far more massive than electrons.
Watch out for
- Thinking electrons are inside the nucleus - they are outside it.
- Thinking ions form by changing the number of protons - only electrons change.
- Thinking all particles have the same mass - electrons are far lighter.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 4 · 5 skills
Understanding Electricity
Charge and Static Electricity
Electricity vocabulary and charge
I can use electricity vocabulary and relate charge to forces between charged particles.
Skill 4.1
Static electricity and electron movement
I can explain static electricity in terms of electron movement, charge, and grounding.
Skill 4.2
Current Electricity, Circuits, and Ohm's Law
Circuit components and current
I can identify circuit components and trace how current flows through a circuit.
Skill 4.3
Energy conservation and electrical safety
I can apply conservation of energy to circuits and assess electrical risk.
Skill 4.4
Ohm's law: voltage, current, and resistance
I can use Ohm's law to relate voltage, current, and resistance.
Skill 4.5
The official wording · 5 outcomes
- 4.1
- principles of electricity
- 4.2
- principles of electricity
- 4.3
- principles of electricity
- 4.4
- principles of electricity
- 4.5
- principles of electricity
Key ideas
Electric charge comes from charged particles: negative electrons and positive protons.
Current is the flow of electrons through a conductor.
A neutral object has equal positive and negative charge.
A circuit needs a source, a load, wires, and usually a switch and fuse.
A charged object has an imbalance of positive and negative charge.
Watch out for
- Thinking charge is created from nothing - it comes from moving electrons.
- Thinking electricity flows without a complete circuit - it needs a full path.
- Thinking neutral means 'no charge at all' - it means equal positive and negative charge.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Plan the term
Pick your term and the days you study. Each unit gets its share of the weeks and comes back a week later for a review. The last two weeks go over the whole course.
The official curriculum
This page follows Prince Edward Island’s own curriculum for Science, Grade 9.
Textbooks
The textbooks PEI Department of Education and Early Years lists for Science, Grade 9:
- Pearson Investigating Science 9
From Intermediate Program of Studies and Authorized Materials, 2026-2027, read October 27, 2026. princeedwardisland.ca
Study it in MapleMind
MapleMind teaches Science, Grade 9 one skill at a time. Each skill gets a short lesson, practice as you go and a check worth up to three stars. It remembers where you stopped.
Course Companion
Your year in one workbook
A fun way to keep Science, Grade 9 organized, get to know your child better and see early when they need a hand. Fill it in on a screen, or print it.
- Pages
- 29
- Fillable fields
- 1,411
- Price
- $4.99
Questions about Science, Grade 9
What is Science, Grade 9?
Prince Edward Island’s Grade 9 science course: 4 units and 30 skills, from Working Like a Scientist to Understanding Electricity.
What units are in Science, Grade 9?
1. Working Like a Scientist, 2. Sustainability of Ecosystems, 3. Atoms, Elements, and Compounds and 4. Understanding Electricity.
Is there a provincial exam for Science, Grade 9?
No. Prince Edward Island gives no provincial exam for Science, Grade 9.
What textbook does Science, Grade 9 use?
The textbooks PEI Department of Education and Early Years lists for Science, Grade 9: Pearson Investigating Science 9, Pearson Education Canada.
What comes after Science, Grade 9?
Science 10 (SCI401A) and Science 10 Academic (SCI421A).
Can MapleMind help with Science, Grade 9?
Yes. MapleMind teaches every skill of Science, Grade 9, step by step, with practice and checks, and its tutor answers questions about any of them. It’s free with daily limits, on iPhone, Android and the web.
Get ready for Science, Grade 9
Practise every skill of Science, Grade 9 in MapleMind, free with daily limits.
