Michigan Partners


GLOBE Correlation to the Michigan Curriculum Framework


Constructing Benchmarks



Middle School

High School

1. Generate reasonable questions about the world based on observation.

1. Generate scientific questions about the world based on observation.

1. Develop questions or problems for investigation that can be answered empirically.

2. Develop solutions to unfamiliar problems through reasoning, observation, and/or experiment.

2. Design and conduct simple investigations.

2. Suggest empirical tests of hypotheses.


3. Design and conduct scientific investigations.

4. Use simple measurement devices to make metric measurement.

4. Use measurement devices to provide consistency in an investigation.

6. Recognize and explain the limitations of measuring devices.

5. Develop strategies and skills for information gathering and problem solving.

5. Use sources of information to help solve problems.

7. Gather and synthesize information from books and other sources of information.

6. Construct charts and graphs and prepare summaries of observations.

6. Write and follow procedures in the form of step-by-step instructions, recipes, formulas, flow diagrams, and sketches.

8. Discuss topics in groups by being able to restate or summarize what others have said, ask for clarification or elaboration, and take alternative perspectives.


Reflecting Benchmarks


1. Develop an awareness of the need for evidence in making decisions scientifically.

1. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of claims, arguments, or data.

1. Justify plans or explanations on a theoretical or empirical basis.


2. Describe limitations in personal knowledge.

2. Describe some general limitations of scientific knowledge.

2. Show how science concepts can be interpreted through creative expression such as language arts and fine arts.

3. Show how common themes of science, mathematics and technology apply in real-world contexts.

3. Show how common themes of science, mathematics, and technology apply in real-world contexts.

3. Describe ways in which technology is used in everyday life.

4. Describe the advantages and risks of new technologies.


4. Develop an awareness of and sensitivity to the natural world.


5. Develop an awareness of contributions made to science by people of diverse backgrounds.

5. Recognize the contributions made in science by cultures and individuals of diverse backgrounds.

6. Describe the historical, political, and social factors affecting developments in science.




2. Explain common patterns of interdependence and interrelation-ships of living things.

1. Describe common patterns of relationships among populations.

1. Describe common ecological relationships among species.

5. Describe positive and negative effects of humans on the environment.

6. Describe ways in which humans alter the environment.

6. Explain the effects of agriculture and other human activities on selected ecosystems.





1. Describe major features of the Earth's surface.

1. Describe and identify surface features using maps.

1. Explain the surface features of the Great Lakes region using Ice Age theory.

2. Recognize and describe different types of earth materials.


4. Describe natural changes in the Earth's surface.

4. Explain how rocks are broken down, how soil is formed and how surface features change.




1. Describe how water exists on Earth in three states.

1. Describe various forms that water takes on the earth's surface and conditions under which they exist.


Atmosphere and Weather


1. Describe the atmosphere.

1. Describe the composition and characteristics of the atmosphere.

1. Describe patterns of air movement in the atmosphere and how they affect weather conditions.

2. Describe weather conditions and climates.

2. Describe patterns of changing weather and how they are measured.


3. Describe seasonal changes in weather.


Space Science


2. Describe the motions of the Earth and moon around the sun.

2. Describe, compare, and explain the motions of planets, moons, and comets in the solar system.

3. Describe the position and motion of our solar system in the universe.


3. Describe and explain common observations of the day and night skies.

4. Explain why seasons occur on earth.


Matter and Energy


1. Classify common objects and substances according to observable attributes: color, size, shape, smell, hardness, texture, flexibility, length, weight, buoyancy, states of matter, or magnetic properties.

1. Measure physical properties of objects or substances (mass, weight, area, temperature, dimensions, volume).

1. Describe and compare objects in terms of mass, volume, and density.

2. Measure weight, dimensions, and temperature of appropriate objects and materials.

2. Describe when length, mass, weight, area, or volume are appropriate to describe the size of an object or the amount of a substance.

2. Explain how families of elements are related by common properties.


3. Classify substances as elements, compounds, or mixtures.

3. Analyze properties of common household and agricultural materialsin terms of risk/benefit balance.