Three Course Model Physics Curriculum Frameworks

Model Course Mapping for Physics in the Universe

Teachers and educators are strongly advised to review the introductory chapters of this framework, including the chapter on Instructional Strategies.

A primary goal of this section is to provide an example of how to bundle the PEs into related groups that can form the basis for the instructional segments. There are six instructional segments in this course, so each would correspond to a bit more than one month of classroom instruction in a traditional school calendar year, though the instructional segments are not equal in duration.

Within this document, an explicit description is provided of how each PE in an instructional segment relates to one another. Ensuring that the scientific concepts smoothly transition from one to the next emphasizes the fact that these topics build on one another.

Table 1. Summary table for a model course integrating physics and Earth & space science in High School

Instructional segment 1: Forces and Motion	Performance Expectations Addressed
	HS-PS2-1, HS-PS2-2, HS-PS2-3*, HS-ETS1-1, HS-ETS1-4
	Highlighted SEP	Highlighted DCI	Highlighted CCC
	Analyzing and interpreting data Mathematics and computational thinking Developing and using models Planning and carrying out investigations Defining problems Designing solutions	PS2.A – Forces and Motion ETS1.A – Defining and Delimiting Engineering Problems ETS1.B – Developing Possible Solutions	Cause and effect Systems, and system models
	Summary of DCI
	Force is equal the product of mass and acceleration. In a closed system, the total momentum is constant.

Instructional segment 2: Forces at a distance	Performance Expectations Addressed
	HS-PS2-4, HS-PS2-5, HS-PS2-6*, HS- ETS1-1
	Highlighted SEP	Highlighted DCI	Highlighted CCC
	Developing and using models Mathematics and computational thinking Planning and carrying out investigations Analyzing and interpreting data Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering) Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information	PS2.B – Types of Interaction ETS1.A – Defining and Delimiting Engineering Problems	Cause and effect Structure and function
	Summary of DCI
	The inverse square law applies to gravity and electromagnetic interactions. Flowing electrons produce a magnetic field, and spinning magnets cause electric currents to flow.

Instructional segment 3: Energy conversion	Performance Expectations Addressed
	HS-PS1-8, HS-PS3-2, HS-PS3-5, HS-PS3-3*, HS-ETS1-2HS-ESS1-5HS-ESS2-3
	Highlighted SEP	Highlighted DCI	Highlighted CCC
	Developing and using models	PS3.D ­– Energy in Chemical Processes and Everyday Life PS3.A – Definitions of Energy PS3.B – Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer PS3.C – Relationship Between Energy and Forces ESS1.C,ESS2.A	Energy and matter: Flows, cycles and conservation
	Summary of DCI
	Energy exists in a variety of forms. Humans depend on the ability to convert these forms from one in our bodies and our technologies.

Instructional segment 4: Nuclear processes	Performance Expectations addressed
	HS-PS1-8, HS-ESS1-5, HS-ESS1-6, HS-ESS2-1
	Highlighted SEP	Highlighted DCI	Highlighted CCC
	Developing and using models Analyzing and interpreting data	PS1.C – Nuclear Processes PS1.C – The History of Planet Earth ESS2.B – Plate Tectonics and Large-Scale System Interactions	Energy & matter Stability & change
	Summary of DCI
	Changes to atomic nuclei release energy and change atoms from one element to another.

Instructional segment 5: Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation	Performance Expectations addressed
	HS-PS4-1, HS-PS4-3, HS-PS4-4, HS-PS4-5*, HS-PS4-2, HS- ETS1-1
	Highlighted SEP	Highlighted DCI	Highlighted CCC
	Asking questions Using mathematics and computational thinking Engaging in argument from evidence Obtaining, evaluating and communicating information	PS4.A – Wave Properties PS4.B – Electromagnetic Radiation PS4.C – Information Technologies and Instrumentation PS3.D – Energy in ETS1.A – Defining and Delimiting Engineering Problems	Energy & matter Cause & effect Systems & system models Stability and change
	Summary of DCI
	Electromagnetic radiation has many applications, and can be modeled as a wave of changing electric and magnetic fields or as particles called photons.

Instructional segment 6: Stars and the Origins of the Universe	Performance Expectations addressed
	HS-ESS1-1, HS-ESS1-2, HS-ESS1-3
	Highlighted SEP	Highlighted DCI	Highlighted CCC
	Developing and using models Constructing explanations	ESS1.A – The Universe and Its Stars PS1.C – Nuclear processes	Energy & Matter Patterns Cause & effect Scale, proportion, & quantity
	Summary of DCI
	The light from stars tells us about their composition and how they are moving away from us.