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The Hero Academy · Science

The Alchemist's Compendium

Observation becomes investigation. The proposed sequence connects living systems, matter, energy, Earth, space, and engineering through evidence and carefully stated explanations.

Proposed K–12 pathway · initial section available
Read & downloadView the learning sequence
The Alchemist's Compendium illustrated curriculum cover

Available section · SCI-K-01

Observing and comparing

The learner communicates observations through speech, pointing, drawing, or an accessible alternative. An adult reads the text.

  1. SCI-K-01-L01

    Observations describe what is noticed

    Distinguish an observable feature from a personal preference.

    Companion activity: SCI-K-01-W01
  2. SCI-K-01-L02

    Comparisons use the same feature

    Compare two objects by a named observable property.

    Companion activity: SCI-K-01-W02
  3. SCI-K-01-L03

    A record separates observations from explanations

    Record an observation and a question without inventing an answer.

    Companion activity: SCI-K-01-W03

A proposed path from K through 12

The learning sequence

Levels organize increasing complexity. They are not age deadlines. Detailed standards coverage, prerequisites, and topic research remain in development beyond the starter section.

Kindergarten entry

Adult-supported observation, communication, and access adaptations; no independent reading required

  1. SCI-K-01Observing and comparingIntroductory section available; further strand coverage in development
  2. SCI-K-02Pushes and pullsPlanned · research and writing pending
  3. SCI-K-03Plants, animals, and needsPlanned · research and writing pending
  4. SCI-K-04Weather and local environmentsPlanned · research and writing pending

Proposed demonstrations

  • Record an observation, distinguish it from a preference, and ask a checkable question
  • Compare the effects of simple pushes and pulls using an adult-guided test
  • Use observations to describe organism needs and patterns in local weather

These are proposed targets, not a complete assessment or verified standards checklist.

Level 1

Demonstrated prerequisite skills from level K; placement is skill-based

  1. SCI-1-01Light and soundPlanned · research and writing pending
  2. SCI-1-02Plant and animal structuresPlanned · research and writing pending
  3. SCI-1-03Parents and offspringPlanned · research and writing pending
  4. SCI-1-04Patterns in the skyPlanned · research and writing pending

Proposed demonstrations

  • Use observations to explain selected relationships among light, vibration, and sound
  • Compare structures of plants and animals and describe similarities between parents and offspring
  • Record repeated sky observations and identify a pattern without inventing missing data

These are proposed targets, not a complete assessment or verified standards checklist.

Level 2

Demonstrated prerequisite skills from level 1; placement is skill-based

  1. SCI-2-01Materials and their propertiesPlanned · research and writing pending
  2. SCI-2-02Living things and habitatsPlanned · research and writing pending
  3. SCI-2-03Landforms and waterPlanned · research and writing pending
  4. SCI-2-04Designing and testing solutionsPlanned · research and writing pending

Proposed demonstrations

  • Classify materials by observed properties and justify a choice for a simple purpose
  • Compare habitats using recorded evidence about living things
  • Model landforms and water and compare designs using stated criteria

These are proposed targets, not a complete assessment or verified standards checklist.

Level 3

Demonstrated prerequisite skills from level 2; placement is skill-based

  1. SCI-3-01Forces and magnetsPlanned · research and writing pending
  2. SCI-3-02Life cycles and inherited traitsPlanned · research and writing pending
  3. SCI-3-03Ecosystems and survivalPlanned · research and writing pending
  4. SCI-3-04Weather patterns and hazardsPlanned · research and writing pending

Proposed demonstrations

  • Use a controlled comparison to describe selected force and magnetic interactions
  • Represent life cycles and distinguish inherited traits from environmental influences
  • Use evidence to compare habitat suitability and weather-related solutions

These are proposed targets, not a complete assessment or verified standards checklist.

Level 4

Demonstrated prerequisite skills from level 3; placement is skill-based

  1. SCI-4-01Energy and transferPlanned · research and writing pending
  2. SCI-4-02Waves and informationPlanned · research and writing pending
  3. SCI-4-03Structures, senses, and responsePlanned · research and writing pending
  4. SCI-4-04Earth processes and landscapesPlanned · research and writing pending

Proposed demonstrations

  • Describe energy transfers using observations and an explicitly bounded model
  • Use wave patterns to explain a simple information-transfer design
  • Explain how organism structures and Earth processes relate to observable functions or changes

These are proposed targets, not a complete assessment or verified standards checklist.

Level 5

Demonstrated prerequisite skills from level 4; placement is skill-based

  1. SCI-5-01Matter and conservationPlanned · research and writing pending
  2. SCI-5-02Food, organisms, and ecosystemsPlanned · research and writing pending
  3. SCI-5-03Earth systems and waterPlanned · research and writing pending
  4. SCI-5-04Stars, shadows, and spacePlanned · research and writing pending

Proposed demonstrations

  • Use measurements to test a claim about conserved matter in a suitable closed activity
  • Model movement of matter among organisms and their environment
  • Represent connected Earth-water systems and interpret repeated shadow or sky observations

These are proposed targets, not a complete assessment or verified standards checklist.

Level 6

Demonstrated prerequisite skills from level 5; placement is skill-based

  1. SCI-6-01Measurement, particles, and mixturesPlanned · research and writing pending
  2. SCI-6-02Cells and body systemsPlanned · research and writing pending
  3. SCI-6-03Earth materials and plate tectonicsPlanned · research and writing pending
  4. SCI-6-04Engineering investigationsPlanned · research and writing pending

Proposed demonstrations

  • Choose units and record measurements to compare matter, particles, and mixtures
  • Use a model to connect cells with selected body-system functions
  • Explain a plate-tectonic pattern and compare engineering solutions using evidence

These are proposed targets, not a complete assessment or verified standards checklist.

Level 7

Demonstrated prerequisite skills from level 6; placement is skill-based

  1. SCI-7-01Reactions and energyPlanned · research and writing pending
  2. SCI-7-02Reproduction and heredityPlanned · research and writing pending
  3. SCI-7-03Ecosystems and populationsPlanned · research and writing pending
  4. SCI-7-04Weather, climate, and resourcesPlanned · research and writing pending

Proposed demonstrations

  • Use evidence to distinguish selected chemical reactions and describe energy changes
  • Model inheritance and explain interactions affecting ecosystem populations
  • Analyze weather or climate data and evaluate a resource-use claim with limitations stated

These are proposed targets, not a complete assessment or verified standards checklist.

Level 8

Demonstrated prerequisite skills from level 7; placement is skill-based

  1. SCI-8-01Motion, forces, and fieldsPlanned · research and writing pending
  2. SCI-8-02Waves and information technologiesPlanned · research and writing pending
  3. SCI-8-03Natural selection and evidencePlanned · research and writing pending
  4. SCI-8-04Solar system and Earth historyPlanned · research and writing pending

Proposed demonstrations

  • Use models and data to explain motion, forces, fields, and wave behavior
  • Explain natural selection using variation, inheritance, and differences in reproductive success
  • Interpret evidence about the solar system and the relative sequence of Earth events

These are proposed targets, not a complete assessment or verified standards checklist.

Level 9

Demonstrated prerequisite skills from level 8; placement is skill-based

  1. SCI-9-01Cells, metabolism, and homeostasisPlanned · research and writing pending
  2. SCI-9-02Genetics and biotechnologyPlanned · research and writing pending
  3. SCI-9-03Evolution and biological diversityPlanned · research and writing pending
  4. SCI-9-04Ecology and environmental systemsPlanned · research and writing pending

Proposed demonstrations

  • Connect cellular processes with organism regulation using a bounded model
  • Interpret inheritance evidence and explain the limits of a biotechnology example
  • Use evidence to explain biological diversity and analyze ecosystem interactions

These are proposed targets, not a complete assessment or verified standards checklist.

Level 10

Demonstrated prerequisite skills from level 9; placement is skill-based

  1. SCI-10-01Atomic structure and periodic patternsPlanned · research and writing pending
  2. SCI-10-02Bonding, quantities, and reactionsPlanned · research and writing pending
  3. SCI-10-03Solutions, acids, and basesPlanned · research and writing pending
  4. SCI-10-04Energy, rates, and equilibriumPlanned · research and writing pending

Proposed demonstrations

  • Use atomic and bonding models to explain selected material properties
  • Represent chemical quantities and reactions while conserving atoms and checking units
  • Interpret solution, acid-base, energy, rate, and equilibrium evidence within model limits

These are proposed targets, not a complete assessment or verified standards checklist.

Level 11

Demonstrated prerequisite skills from level 10; placement is skill-based

  1. SCI-11-01Kinematics and Newtonian mechanicsPlanned · research and writing pending
  2. SCI-11-02Energy and momentumPlanned · research and writing pending
  3. SCI-11-03Electricity and magnetismPlanned · research and writing pending
  4. SCI-11-04Waves, optics, and modern physicsPlanned · research and writing pending

Proposed demonstrations

  • Analyze motion data using appropriate Newtonian models and stated assumptions
  • Apply energy and momentum relationships to bounded systems
  • Interpret electrical, magnetic, wave, and optical phenomena with suitable representations

These are proposed targets, not a complete assessment or verified standards checklist.

Level 12

Demonstrated prerequisite skills from level 11; placement is skill-based

  1. SCI-12-01Astronomy and cosmologyPlanned · research and writing pending
  2. SCI-12-02Geology, oceans, and climate evidencePlanned · research and writing pending
  3. SCI-12-03Agriculture, materials, and engineeringPlanned · research and writing pending
  4. SCI-12-04Computing, data, and research capstonePlanned · research and writing pending

Proposed demonstrations

  • Evaluate astronomical and Earth-system explanations using identified evidence
  • Compare environmental or engineering options against stated criteria and uncertainty
  • Develop a reproducible computing or data investigation and communicate its limitations

These are proposed targets, not a complete assessment or verified standards checklist.

Subject strands inside this book

  • Scientific Inquiry and Lab Skills
  • Biology: Cells and Microorganisms, Plants and Botany, Animals and Zoology, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Genetics and Heredity, Ecology and Ecosystems
  • Chemistry: Atoms and Elements, Compounds and Chemical Bonds, Mixtures and Solutions, Chemical Reactions, Acids and Bases
  • Physics: Matter, Motion, Force, Energy, Waves and Sound, Light and Optics, Electricity and Magnetism
  • Earth Science: Astronomy, Geology, Meteorology, Oceanography
  • Engineering: Engineering Design, Structures and Materials, Machines and Robotics, Computer Science
  • Applied Science: Environmental Science, Agricultural Science, Everyday Technology

Evidence and scope

Introduction to observing, comparing, recording, and asking testable questions. This is preparation for later NGSS investigations, not completion of a performance expectation.

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