Progressing
Examples of mastery at this level: recognize causes of pollution; identify characteristics of mammals; record simple observations; demonstrate magnetic force; list the physical properties of the moon; apply information from life experiences; identify effects of erosion; identify types of forces; identify the effects of the rotation of Earth.

Nearing Proficiency
Examples of mastery at this level: position objects relative to others; describe a 4-step food chain; complete a bar graph; identify naturally occurring resources; describe simple solutions to posed problems; list basic survival techniques of small animals; illustrate changes in states of water; describe the life cycle of plants.

Proficient
Examples of mastery at this level: explain the water cycle; identify causes of physical changes in Earth’s crust; connect science to everyday life; explain the difference between stars and planets; interpret the moon and sun rotation/revolving cycles; describe electrostatic force; interpret data and draw conclusions; describe the life cycle of animals.

Advanced
Examples of mastery at this level: interpret Earth, moon, and sun rotation and revolving cycles; describe the characteristics of sound; analyze simple real-world problems; describe weather-related phenomena; identify producer/consumer relationships; use words, pictures, models, and numbers to effectively communicate science concepts; interpret charts; describe the effects of heat on matter; name the types of forces and how they affect objects.

Grade 7

Step 1
Examples of mastery at this level: interpret the food pyramid and a food web; apply knowledge from life experiences; describe how plants reproduce; record information in simple charts; explain producer/consumer/decomposer relationship; name forms of energy; explain about animal niches; illustrate how living things adapt to environment.

Progressing
Examples of mastery at this level: interpret the action-reaction law; create tables to record data; connect science concepts to everyday life; read simple charts, graphs, and tables; describe simple relationships; relate properties of Earth that sustain life; utilize basic properties of light; explain the use of insulators and conductors; identify the basic patterns of movement of the Solar System.

Nearing Proficiency
Examples of mastery at this level: describe the transmission and prevention of diseases; compare renewable vs. non-renewable resources; create simple charts and tables; describe the effects of earthquakes on Earth’s crust; design simple investigations; describe natural processes in written form; draw inferences from data; compare asexual vs. sexual reproduction; compare scientific theories vs. laws.

Proficient
Examples of mastery at this level:  explain how substances expand and contract; interpret complex diagrams and abstract models; identify causes of the greenhouse effect; use technical terms to describe scientific relationships; identify the cause of acid rain and describe its effects; design a repeatable experiment to produce reliable data; identify and control variables in an experiment; list some natural resources of Missouri; describe effects of UV light; identify survival characteristics of mammals.

Advanced
Examples of mastery at this level: explain the moon phases; use science concepts to infer, predict, and draw conclusions; compare distance relationships in the Solar System; use patterns in data to extrapolate information; survey the electrical resistance of common objects; describe pressure/temperature relationships; control multiple variables in experiments; analyze impact of technology and human activity on the environment.

Grade 10

Step 1
Examples of mastery at this level: contrast the life-cycles of gymnosperms and angiosperms; read simple tables and diagrams; identify the resources of oceans; describe causes of population decreases; apply the properties of light; recognize effects of science and technology on society; identify components of experiments; cite advantages and disadvantages of proposed solutions; provide support for conclusions drawn from a set of data.

Progressing
Examples of mastery at this level: describe the effects of population increases on water supplies; describe the uses of energy transfer; interpret tables, graphs, and diagrams; cite some benefits of the space program; summarize data charts; identify landfill contamination; apply basic science concepts to everyday life; utilize the properties of solutions; investigate models of genetic frequencies.

Nearing Proficiency
Examples of mastery at this level: illustrate seismic waves of earthquakes; design repeatable investigations; formulate conclusions supported by data; explain how vaccines work; use the inquiry method of investigation; explain the relationship between velocity and acceleration; describe the role of red blood cells; identify flaws in experimental design; define tectonic plate movement; compare meiosis and mitosis; propose and evaluate solutions to real-world problems; utilize the properties of sound.

Proficient
Examples of mastery at this level: define the half-life of radioactive elements; illustrate the transfer of heat energy; demonstrate a working knowledge of science concepts and abstract models; weigh advantages vs. disadvantages in making decisions; organize and analyze data; explain the conservation of momentum; make use of mechanical energy/work; communicate the reasoning and data used to justify conclusions; explain how energy flows through trophic levels; relate the development of the plate tectonic theory.

Advanced
Examples of mastery at this level: explain how transfer of heat takes place on the molecular level; derive chemical formulas for compounds using the Periodic Table; demonstrate the relationship between air pressure and density; effectively organize and communicate knowledge through detailed explanations; calculate the efficiency of simple machines; describe the life cycle of a star; propose, evaluate, and defend solutions to solve real-world problems; demonstrate the Doppler Effect; compare the relationship of force and mass to acceleration; explain concept of rotational motion.