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Physics & Earth Science

A middle-school science track for motion, forces, energy, waves, Earth systems, weather, climate, astronomy, and human impact using models and evidence.

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Middle school physical and earth science / NY grades 6-8 science / Regents bridge

Physics & Earth Science

A middle-school science track for motion, forces, energy, waves, Earth systems, weather, climate, astronomy, and human impact using models and evidence.

5 units400 checked answers5 units, 10-14 weeks science cycle
Outcomes
  • Explain motion, force, energy, and waves with diagrams, data, and units.
  • Use Earth-system models to connect rocks, water, atmosphere, weather, climate, and space.
  • Write evidence-based science explanations instead of memorized definitions.

Study links

Middle school Earth and space science - NGSSMiddle school physics - NGSSNYS Grades 3-8 Science Learning StandardsNYS P-12 Learning Standards by Content AreaCollege Physics for AP Courses 2eOpenStax ScienceFlexBook textbooks and concepts
Source index

Unit sequence

Start at unit 1. Move forward only after the checks are clean.

  1. 01

    Motion, forces, and graph evidence

    80 checks
    • Use position, speed, velocity, acceleration, and force correctly.
    • Read motion graphs and connect slope to meaning.

    Practice: Analyze a motion graph and write what the object is doing in each interval.

    Open practice checks
    Sequenced original practice checks

    Move in order: foundation, transfer, analysis, timed readiness, then metacognitive repair.

    6 shown / 80 checked answers
    Exercise path
    Foundation: 25Developing: 25Proficient: 24Advanced: 6

    Start the next sequenced check: #1 Speed. Do not jump ahead until this one is correct.

    Learning analysis
    0/80
    Tried
    0
    Correct
    0%
    Mastery

    Weakest facet: Concept

    #1SpeedFluencyfoundationNext

    Set 2: an object travels 28 m in 4 s. What is its speed?

    #2AccelerationFluencydeveloping

    Set 2: speed changes from 7 m/s to 12 m/s in 5 s. What is acceleration?

    #3SpeedFluencyfoundation

    Set 1: an object travels 12 m in 2 s. What is its speed?

    #4AccelerationFluencydeveloping

    Set 1: speed changes from 6 m/s to 9 m/s in 3 s. What is acceleration?

    #5ForceApplicationdeveloping

    Set 1: mass 6 kg, acceleration 4 m/s^2. What is net force?

    #6Wave speedApplicationdeveloping

    Set 1: frequency 5 Hz, wavelength 6 m. What is wave speed?

  2. 02

    Energy, waves, and transfers

    80 checks
    • Track kinetic, potential, thermal, sound, and light energy transfers.
    • Describe wave properties and interactions.

    Practice: Build an energy-transfer diagram for one everyday system and label evidence for each transfer.

    Open practice checks
    Sequenced original practice checks

    Move in order: foundation, transfer, analysis, timed readiness, then metacognitive repair.

    6 shown / 80 checked answers
    Exercise path
    Proficient: 24Developing: 25Foundation: 25Advanced: 6

    Start the next sequenced check: #1 Climate. Do not jump ahead until this one is correct.

    Learning analysis
    0/80
    Tried
    0
    Correct
    0%
    Mastery

    Weakest facet: Concept

    #1ClimateAnalysisproficientNext

    Set 3: which evidence best supports a climate claim?

    #2Moon cycleApplicationdeveloping

    Set 3: about how many days are in 5 lunar cycles if one cycle is 29 days?

    #3ForceApplicationdeveloping

    Set 1: mass 7 kg, acceleration 4 m/s^2. What is net force?

    #4Wave speedApplicationdeveloping

    Set 1: frequency 5 Hz, wavelength 7 m. What is wave speed?

    #5Energy transferConceptfoundation

    Set 2: a lamp changing electrical energy into light and thermal energy shows:

    #6Scale modelExam Readinessadvanced

    Set 2: a model uses 1 cm for 8 km. How many km does 5 cm represent?

  3. 03

    Earth systems, rocks, and geologic change

    80 checks
    • Model the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere as interacting systems.
    • Explain rocks, plate motion, erosion, and geologic time with evidence.

    Practice: Create a systems diagram for one Earth process and annotate cause-effect arrows.

    Open practice checks
    Sequenced original practice checks

    Move in order: foundation, transfer, analysis, timed readiness, then metacognitive repair.

    6 shown / 80 checked answers
    Exercise path
    Proficient: 24Foundation: 25Developing: 25Advanced: 6

    Start the next sequenced check: #1 Potential energy. Do not jump ahead until this one is correct.

    Learning analysis
    0/80
    Tried
    0
    Correct
    0%
    Mastery

    Weakest facet: Concept

    #1Potential energyFluencyproficientNext

    Set 5: using g = 10, what is mgh for mass 4 kg and height 12 m?

    #2Graph slopeConceptfoundation

    Set 5: on a position-time graph, a steeper line means:

    #3Potential energyFluencyproficient

    Set 1: using g = 10, what is mgh for mass 6 kg and height 8 m?

    #4Graph slopeConceptfoundation

    Set 1: on a position-time graph, a steeper line means:

    #5Erosion rateApplicationproficient

    Set 4: a river erodes 44 cm over 4 years. What is the yearly rate?

    #6Weather averageAnalysisproficient

    Set 4: temperatures are 71, 73, 75. What is the average?

  4. 04

    Weather, climate, and human impact

    80 checks
    • Use atmosphere, water cycle, ocean, and climate data to explain patterns.
    • Separate weather observations from climate trends.

    Practice: Compare two weather or climate data displays and write a claim with one limitation.

    Open practice checks
    Sequenced original practice checks

    Move in order: foundation, transfer, analysis, timed readiness, then metacognitive repair.

    6 shown / 80 checked answers
    Exercise path
    Foundation: 25Developing: 25Proficient: 24Advanced: 6

    Start the next sequenced check: #1 Speed. Do not jump ahead until this one is correct.

    Learning analysis
    0/80
    Tried
    0
    Correct
    0%
    Mastery

    Weakest facet: Concept

    #1SpeedFluencyfoundationNext

    Set 7: an object travels 60 m in 4 s. What is its speed?

    #2AccelerationFluencydeveloping

    Set 7: speed changes from 15 m/s to 20 m/s in 5 s. What is acceleration?

    #3Erosion rateApplicationproficient

    Set 1: a river erodes 27 cm over 3 years. What is the yearly rate?

    #4Weather averageAnalysisproficient

    Set 1: temperatures are 69, 71, 73. What is the average?

    #5ForceApplicationdeveloping

    Set 6: mass 14 kg, acceleration 4 m/s^2. What is net force?

    #6Wave speedApplicationdeveloping

    Set 6: frequency 5 Hz, wavelength 14 m. What is wave speed?

  5. 05

    Astronomy and science explanation portfolio

    80 checks
    • Use scale, gravity, seasons, moon phases, and solar-system models.
    • Write complete explanations using models, data, and uncertainty.

    Practice: Submit a science portfolio with one physics explanation and one Earth/space explanation.

    Open practice checks
    Sequenced original practice checks

    Move in order: foundation, transfer, analysis, timed readiness, then metacognitive repair.

    6 shown / 80 checked answers
    Exercise path
    Proficient: 24Developing: 25Foundation: 25Advanced: 6

    Start the next sequenced check: #1 Climate. Do not jump ahead until this one is correct.

    Learning analysis
    0/80
    Tried
    0
    Correct
    0%
    Mastery

    Weakest facet: Concept

    #1ClimateAnalysisproficientNext

    Set 8: which evidence best supports a climate claim?

    #2Moon cycleApplicationdeveloping

    Set 8: about how many days are in 5 lunar cycles if one cycle is 29 days?

    #3ClimateAnalysisproficient

    Set 1: which evidence best supports a climate claim?

    #4Moon cycleApplicationdeveloping

    Set 1: about how many days are in 6 lunar cycles if one cycle is 29 days?

    #5Energy transferConceptfoundation

    Set 7: a lamp changing electrical energy into light and thermal energy shows:

    #6Scale modelExam Readinessadvanced

    Set 7: a model uses 1 cm for 16 km. How many km does 5 cm represent?

Physics & Earth Science curriculum · PeerTutor