The goal of the Essential Standards for Science in grades K-12 is to achieve an understanding of scientific concepts and processes required for scientific decision-making.  The end goal is the achievement of scientific literacy for all students. The instructional program in the North Carolina public schools is designed to merge unifying concepts of science, strands, content goals, and objectives. The unifying concepts are as follows:

• Systems, Order, and Organization
• Evidence, Models, and Explanation
• Constancy, Change, and Measurement
• Evolution and Equilibrium
• Form and Function

The strands are as follows:

• Physical Science
• Earth Science
• Life Science

Curriculum documents for grades 9-12 can be accessed by clicking the links below:

High School Science Curriculum

Biology
Chemistry
Earth and Environmental Science
Physical Science
Physics