This curriculum is designed to meet the following specific benchmarks for science education, as adopted by the Oregon Department of Education.

- Identify and describe the factors that influence or change the balance of populations in their environment.

- Explain the structure of the Earth.

- Analyze evidence of ongoing evolution of the Earth system.

- Ask questions or form hypotheses that are based on observations and scientific concepts that can be tested through scientific investigations.

- Collect and organize sufficient data by using methods and procedures that support analysis.

- Analyze data and evaluate sources of error or bias.

- Propose explanations that are supported by data and knowledge of science concepts and principles.