Earth’s Place in the Universe
Engineering Design
Links Among Engineering, Technology, Science, and Society
From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits
100

Why does the sun appear brighter than other stars?

What is the sun is the brightest star to the earth because it is the closest? 

100

What is the first step in solving an engineering problem?

What is to thoroughly define and understand the "problem" by identifying the issue in context , and the desired outcome? 

100

Name a tool that helps us observe things we cannot see with the naked eye.

What is a microscope? 

100

What is an instinctual response in animals?

What is a bird migrate to another location? What is animals taking care of their young? What is nesting birds begging for food from their mother?


It has never been learned before. 

100

What is an inherited characteristic?

What is a feature or quality passed down from parents to their offspring through genes? ex. brown hair, height

200

 Where is the Earth located within the Milky Way galaxy?

What is orion spur( also called orion arm) roughly two -thirds of the way from the galactic center to the outer edge?

200

Why is it important to test and re-test a prototype?

What is the early identification of " flaws, it meets the users needs, allows for refinement for a more successful product? 

200

How have satellites improved our ability to study Earth?

What is global monitoring of weather, climate, and environmental changes providing data on land, oceans and atmosphere, and showing us early warnings for disasters? 

200

How do animals use their senses to guide their actions?

What is sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch to gather information about their surroundings? 

ex. sight- animals use sight to find food

ex. hearing- helps animals to detect predators

200

How can the environment influence an organism's traits?

Ex. What is bad nutrition and it is related to stunt in growth height,  and helps strength in motor skills? 


300

Name three types of bodies in our solar system and describe one physical property of each.

What are planets, dwaf planets, asteroids, comets, meteoroids, and moons? 

Any 3 answers

300

How can failure help in finding a solution?

What is identifying problems, redirection/ innovation( trying a new sport), learning to adapt to the situation, build resilience, fostering growth/ new mindset, strengthening professionalism, identifying failure points, and finding lessons( lesson learned)? 

300

Give an example of a scientific discovery that led to a new technology

ex. What are x-rays and they helped us to see into the human body and lead to CT scans or MRI's? 

ex. personal communicator in 1992(make phone calls, send faxes, and send emails) to smartphones 


300

Compare an instinctual response to a learned response.

What is instinct? What is when a bird migrates to another location in the winter. 

What is a learned response? Learned how to walk, talk, spin, stick out your tongue( like Ms. Maloney) lol. 

300

Give an example of a trait that is influenced by both inheritance and the environment.

What is height and exposures to nutrition, healthcare, toxins, or other diseases will effect a person's height? 

400

What causes a solar eclipse?

What is when the moon passes between the sun and earth casting a shadow on Earth that either partially or fully blocks the sun's light in some areas? 

400

What should you consider when planning tests on a prototype?

What is defining clear goals, identifying the target audience, choosing the right testing method, and successful metrics(key questions, tests)? 

400

 What is the purpose of using measuring tools in constructing a prototype?

What is accuracy, repeatability, validity, and reliability on a protype? 

400

 Give an example of an animal behavior that is learned.

What is a dog "sitting" or " stay" on command? 

400

How do plants inherit traits from their parents?

What is through their genes which are passed down from the parents to offsprings via chromosomes? 

500

 How does the tilt of the Earth's axis affect the seasons?

What is "as the Earth orbits different hemispheres receive more direct sunlight leading to warmer temperatures during the summer and cooler temperatures during the winter"? 

500

Describe a situation where redesigning a prototype was necessary.

What is testing a product before it is approved for manufacturing? 


Ex. developing a smart home security system where the user is allowed to test it early to give feedback. 

500

How do X-ray cameras help in medical science?

What is the image of bones, organs, and tissues allowing doctors to detect problems like fractures, tumors, and other conditions? 

500

 How do memories help animals in their actions?

What is an dog " sitting" or "staying" on command? They remember the training of the person who speaks to them. They will either listen or not listen. 

What is predator avoidance, enabling them to learn, adapt to environment, remembering past experiences( good/ bad)? 

500

Why do variations in traits exist among similar organisms?

What is genetic mutations, genetic recombination from the parents to the offspring?  What is the environment that can also play a part in traits?