There are twelve Key Ideas for MST Standard Four, encompassing the following topics:

Physical Setting

1.   The Earth and celestial phenomena can be described by principles of relative motion and perspective.

2.     Many of the phenomena that we observe on Earth involve interactions among components of air, water, and land.

3.     Matter is made up of particles whose properties determine the observable characteristics of matter and its reactivity.

4.     Energy exists in many forms, and when these forms change energy is conserved.

5.     Energy and matter interact through forces that result in changes in motion.

The Living Environment

6.     Living things are both similar to and different from each other and nonliving things.

7.     Organisms inherit genetic information in a variety of ways that result in continuity of structure and function between parents and offspring.

8.     Individual organisms and species change over time.

9.   The continuity of life is sustained through reproduction and development.

10. Organisms maintain a dynamic equilibrium that sustains life.

11. Plants and animals depend on each other and their physical environment.