Page 16 - Science - Grade 9, DE-STREAMED COURSE (SNC1W)

Systems and Interactions
Fundamental Concepts
Matter
Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space. Matter has particular structural and behavioural characteristics.
Energy comes in many forms, and can change forms. Energy is required to make things happen (to do work). Work is done when a force causes movement.
A system is a collection of living and/or non-living things and processes that interact to perform some function. A system includes inputs, outputs, and relationships among system components. Natural and human-made systems develop in response to, and are limited by, a variety of environmental factors.
Energy
Structure and Function
This concept focuses on the interrelationship between the function or use of a natural or human-made object and the form that the object takes.
Sustainability and Stewardship
Sustainability is the concept of meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Stewardship involves understanding that we need to use and care for the natural environment in a responsible way and making the effort to pass on to future generations no less than what we have access to ourselves. Values that are central to responsible stewardship are as follows: using non-renewable resources with care; reusing and recycling what we can; and switching to renewable resources where possible.
Change and Continuity
Change is the process of becoming different over time, and can be quantified.
Continuity represents consistency and connectedness within and among systems over time. Interactions within and among systems result in change and variations in consistency.
In this course, “big ideas” describe the aspects of the fundamental concepts that are addressed in each strand. Developing an understanding of the big ideas requires students to consider and apply STEM skills as they engage in investigative processes and make connections between related scientific concepts, between science and other disciplines, and between science and everyday life.
The relationships between the fundamental concepts, STEM skills and connections, big ideas, goals of the science program, and overall and specific expectations of this curriculum are indicated in the following chart.
15