Our nation is slowly revising the national science frameworks. Here is a draft report from the summer:

http://teachscience4all.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/standards_framework_preliminary_public_draft.pdf

PS1.A: The Structure of Matter

Sub-question: What makes up everything around us?

All substances are made up of atoms that are in constant motion. These particles are too small to be seen even with a light microscope. Atoms have substructure that determines how they combine, arrange and interact to form all of the substances around us.

Atoms have substructure. The patterns of the periodic table can be related to the patterns of the outermost electrons in the atom, which are those that are involved in chemical bonding.

Models of electrical attractions and repulsions involving electrons and atomic nuclei help explain the structure and many properties.

Type of assessment: In what ways do the building blocks (atoms) combine to create all of the substances and structures in the universe?