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Tennessee Science Standards

Tennessee Standard 1.1a - Observing is a process used to develop an awareness of the surrounding environment.

   Benchmarks: 3-5

Awareness of our surroundings is a result of individual observations and prior knowledge.

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   Benchmarks: 6-8

By incorporating prior knowledge with the process of observation, a better understanding of one's environment may develop.

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Tennessee Standard 2.3a - Natural phenomena display a wide variety of similarities and differences.

   Benchmarks: 3-5

There are variations among individuals within all systems. Things can be sorted into groups according to their similarities and differences.

NatureWorks Episodes

6. Marine Communities
7. Fresh Water Communities
8. Terrestrial Communities
9. The Wildlife Web I 
10. The Wildlife  Web II
11. Decomposers/Scavengers
13. Species Diversity
14. Niche
15. Invasive Species
   Benchmarks: 6-8

Similarities and differences can be observed from the most minute phenomena to the vastness of the universe.

NatureWorks Episodes

1. Adaptation
2. Coloration
3. Natural Communication
4. Migration
5. Habitat
6. Marine Communities
7. Fresh Water Communities
8. Terrestrial Communities
9. The Wildlife Web I 
10. The Wildlife  Web II
11. Decomposers/Scavengers
12. Population Dynamics
13. Species Diversity
14. Niche
15. Invasive Species
16. Life at Risk

Tennessee Standard 2.3b - Groupings are based on similarities related to structure and function.

   Benchmarks: 3-5

Organisms are separated into groups according to identifying characteristics. Some individuals operate independently of the system, while others operate as a collective group.

NatureWorks Episodes

6. Marine Communities
7. Fresh Water Communities
8. Terrestrial Communities
9. The Wildlife Web I 
10. The Wildlife  Web II
11. Decomposers/Scavengers
12. Population Dynamics
13. Species Diversity
14. Niche
15. Invasive Species
   Benchmarks: 6-8

Thinking about things as systems means looking for how every part relates to others. Many systems contain feedback mechanisms that serve to keep changes within specified limits. Different arrangements of atoms into groups compose all substances. A system can include processes as well as objects.

NatureWorks Episodes

6. Marine Communities
7. Fresh Water Communities
8. Terrestrial Communities
9. The Wildlife Web I 
10. The Wildlife  Web II
11. Decomposers/Scavengers
12. Population Dynamics
14. Niche
   

Tennessee Standard 2.4b - Interactions of matter and energy shape our world.

   Benchmarks: 3-5

Living things contribute energy to and take energy away from non-living surroundings causing changes in both. The interactions of matter and energy are subject to accepted physical laws.

NatureWorks Episodes

6. Marine Communities
7. Fresh Water Communities
8. Terrestrial Communities
9. The Wildlife Web I 
10. The Wildlife  Web II
11. Decomposers/Scavengers
12. Population Dynamics
14. Niche
   Benchmarks: 6-8

The cycling of water in and out of the atmosphere plays an important role in determining climatic patterns. Heat can be transferred either through materials by the collisions of atoms or across space by radiation. Electric currents and magnets can exert force on each other. In any particular environment, the growth and survival of organisms depend on the physical conditions. The relationships between two organisms may be competitive or mutually beneficial.

NatureWorks Episodes

6. Marine Communities
7. Fresh Water Communities
8. Terrestrial Communities
9. The Wildlife Web I 
10. The Wildlife  Web II
11. Decomposers/Scavengers
12. Population Dynamics
14. Niche
15. Invasive Species
16. Life at Risk

Tennessee Standard 2.5a - Everything is constantly changing; rates of change vary over a wide scale with a great variety in patterns of change.

   Benchmarks: 3-5

Things change in consistent, inconsistent and repetitive ways. Some features may stay the same while others change.

NatureWorks Episodes

1. Adaptation
2. Coloration
3. Natural Communication
4. Migration
5. Habitat
12. Population Dynamics
13. Species Diversity
14. Niche
15. Invasive Species
16. Life at Risk
   Benchmarks: 6-8

New information can modify existing scientific knowledge. Human activities have decreased the capacity of the environment to support some life forms. Selective breeding has resulted in new varieties of plants and domestic animals. Various changes occur as an organism progresses through its life cycle.

NatureWorks Episodes

1. Adaptation
2. Coloration
3. Natural Communication
4. Migration
5. Habitat
6. Marine Communities
7. Fresh Water Communities
8. Terrestrial Communities
12. Population Dynamics
13. Species Diversity
15. Invasive Species
16. Life at Risk


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