PENNSYLVANIATHE KEYSTONE STATE
Pennsylvania Grade 3 Science Online Center
Pennsylvania tests science in grades 5 and 8, not in grade 3, so third grade is the year to build the ideas PSSA Science will ask about later. Practice tests, skill quizzes, flashcards, and every Pennsylvania science standard for this grade, free.
Standards source: State Academic Standards, Pennsylvania State Board of Education.
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Pennsylvania Science by Grade
Every Pennsylvania science center, grade 1 through grade 8.
Start With a Practice Test
Six full, timed grade 3 science practice tests, 25 questions each, instant scoring, and a written explanation for every question. Pennsylvania does not test science this year, so use these to find gaps early. Each one opens right here.
Pennsylvania Grade 3 Science Practice Test 1
A full diagnostic across every science area for this grade.
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Pennsylvania Grade 3 Science Practice Test 2
Fresh questions and new phenomena to build accuracy.
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Pennsylvania Grade 3 Science Practice Test 3
New problems that push reading of data, models, and evidence.
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Pennsylvania Grade 3 Science Practice Test 4
Another complete, timed exam to build pacing and stamina.
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Pennsylvania Grade 3 Science Practice Test 5
A brand-new mixed set to test how ready you are.
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Pennsylvania Grade 3 Science Practice Test 6
A final full-length simulation to confirm you are ready.
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Grade 3 Science Skill Quizzes
Pick one science area, answer 10 questions, and see exactly where the idea broke down. Each quiz opens right here.
Matter and Its Properties
A quick 10-question check on matter and its properties, with instant scoring and a full explanation for every answer.
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Forces and Motion
A quick 10-question check on forces and motion, with instant scoring and a full explanation for every answer.
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Energy
A quick 10-question check on energy, with instant scoring and a full explanation for every answer.
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Waves and Information
A quick 10-question check on waves and information, with instant scoring and a full explanation for every answer.
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Cells, Structures and Life Processes
A quick 10-question check on cells, structures and life processes, with instant scoring and a full explanation for every answer.
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Ecosystems and Heredity
A quick 10-question check on ecosystems and heredity, with instant scoring and a full explanation for every answer.
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Evolution, Fossils and Adaptation
A quick 10-question check on evolution, fossils and adaptation, with instant scoring and a full explanation for every answer.
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Earth and Space Systems
A quick 10-question check on earth and space systems, with instant scoring and a full explanation for every answer.
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Earth, Human Activity and Engineering
A quick 10-question check on earth, human activity and engineering, with instant scoring and a full explanation for every answer.
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Grade 3 Science Study Tools
A few minutes of review between practice tests. Both open right here.
Grade 3 Science Flashcards
All 145 terms this grade is expected to know. Search the deck, filter by science area, star the hard ones, and mark off what you have down.
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Grade 3 Science Quick Review
Every must-know idea for this grade on one page, grouped by science area, with the vocabulary for each one.
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Study with a clearer next step
This Pennsylvania grade 3 science center is part of the Effortless Math library. Practice tests, skill quizzes, flashcards, and the state's own standards are connected so a student always has a clear next step instead of a wall of links.
Effortless Math is an independent educational publisher. Test names, state exams, standards names, and trademarks are used only to identify the relevant study topic; their owners do not sponsor, endorse, or approve this page.
Pennsylvania Grade 3 Science Snapshot
Pennsylvania Grade 3 Science Topics
These are the 49 science standards Pennsylvania sets for grade 3, from the Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy & Sustainability Standards (STEELS), grouped and ordered exactly the way the state's own standards document groups them. Each one is tagged with its official code so you can trace it straight back to the state document.
Pennsylvania standard codes
3.1 Life Science
- 3.1.3.A3.1.3.B3.1.3.C3.1.3.E3.1.3.G3.1.3.HOrganism Needs, Structures, and Life Cycles
- 3.1.3.DCells, Body Systems, and Genetics
- 3.1.3.FEvidence Explanation Variations Characteristics Among Individuals Same Species
3.2 Physical Science
- 3.2.3.AScientific Questions, Investigations, and Evidence
- 3.2.3.B3.2.3.CForces, Motion, and Interactions
- 3.2.3.DSimple Problem Solved Applying Scientific Ideas About Magnets
3.3 Earth and Space Science
- 3.3.3.A3.3.3.BWater Cycle, Weather, Climate, and Atmosphere
- 3.3.3.CEngineering Design and Solution Evaluation
3.5 Technology and Engineering
- 3.5.3-5.A3.5.3-5.H3.5.3-5.DD3.5.3-5.HHPatterns, Systems, Cause and Effect, and Change
- 3.5.3-5.B3.5.3-5.K3.5.3-5.M3.5.3-5.P3.5.3-5.Q3.5.3-5.S+6Engineering Design and Solution Evaluation
- 3.5.3-5.CFollow Directions Complete Technological Task
- 3.5.3-5.NWhy Product System Not Working Properly Solve Problems
- 3.5.3-5.DCertain Aspects Daily Lives Would Different Without Given
- 3.5.3-5.E3.5.3-5.F3.5.3-5.FF3.5.3-5.GGNatural Resources and Human Impacts
- 3.5.3-5.GHelpful Harmful Effects Technology
- 3.5.3-5.JTechnologies Developed Adapted When Individual Societal Needs Wants
- 3.5.3-5.RTools Techniques Materials Safe Manner Part Process
- 3.5.3-5.XVarious Relationships Exist Between Technology Engineering Other Content
- 3.5.3-5.LTools Machines Extend Human Capabilities Holding Lifting Carrying
- 3.5.3-5.WMaterial Properties and Uses
- 3.5.3-5.YResources Needed Get Technical Job Done People Materials
- 3.5.3-5.ZNew Product Improves Someone'S Life Solve Problems Magnets
- 3.5.3-5.BBWhen Parts System Missing May Not Work Planned
- 3.5.3-5.CCSubsystem System Operates Part Another Larger System
- 3.5.3-5.AARepresentations Tools People Made They Cultivated Provide Food
Grouped and ordered from the state's own standards document.
Pennsylvania Grade 3 Science Standards
The full text of every grade 3 science standard in the Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy & Sustainability Standards (STEELS). If your Pennsylvania classroom or report card mentions a code, you will find it here.
3.1 Life Science
- 3.1.3.AOrganism Needs, Structures, and Life CyclesDevelop models to describe that organisms have unique and diverse life cycles but all have in common birth, growth, reproduction, and death
- 3.1.3.BOrganism Needs, Structures, and Life CyclesConstruct an argument that some animals form groups that help members survive
- 3.1.3.COrganism Needs, Structures, and Life CyclesAnalyze and interpret data to provide evidence that plants and animals have traits inherited from parents and that variation of these traits exists in a group of similar organisms
- 3.1.3.DCells, Body Systems, and GeneticsUse evidence to support the explanation that traits can be influenced by the environment
- 3.1.3.EOrganism Needs, Structures, and Life CyclesAnalyze and interpret data from fossils to provide evidence of the organisms and the environments in which they lived long ago
- 3.1.3.FEvidence Explanation Variations Characteristics Among Individuals Same SpeciesUse evidence to construct an explanation for how the variations in characteristics among individuals of the same species may provide advantages in surviving, finding mates, and reproducing
- 3.1.3.GOrganism Needs, Structures, and Life CyclesConstruct an argument with evidence that in a particular habitat some organisms can survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all
- 3.1.3.HOrganism Needs, Structures, and Life CyclesMake a claim supported by evidence about the merit of a solution to a problem caused when the environment changes and the types of plants and animals that live there may change
3.2 Physical Science
- 3.2.3.AScientific Questions, Investigations, and EvidenceMake and communicate observations and/or measurements of an object's motion to provide evidence that a pattern can be used to predict future motion
- 3.2.3.BForces, Motion, and InteractionsPlan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object
- 3.2.3.CForces, Motion, and InteractionsAsk questions to determine cause and effect relationships of electric or magnetic interactions between two objects not in contact with each other
- 3.2.3.DSimple Problem Solved Applying Scientific Ideas About MagnetsDefine a simple design problem that can be solved by applying scientific ideas about magnets
3.3 Earth and Space Science
- 3.3.3.AWater Cycle, Weather, Climate, and AtmosphereRepresent data in tables and graphical displays to describe typical weather conditions expected during a particular season
- 3.3.3.BWater Cycle, Weather, Climate, and AtmosphereObtain and combine information to describe climates in different regions of the world
- 3.3.3.CEngineering Design and Solution EvaluationMake a claim supported by evidence about the merit of a design solution that reduces the impacts of a weather-related hazard
3.5 Technology and Engineering
- 3.5.3-5.APatterns, Systems, Cause and Effect, and ChangeUse appropriate symbols, numbers and words to communicate key ideas about technological products and systems
- 3.5.3-5.BEngineering Design and Solution EvaluationExamine information to assess the trade-offs of using a product or system
- 3.5.3-5.CFollow Directions Complete Technological TaskFollow directions to complete a technological task
- 3.5.3-5.NWhy Product System Not Working Properly Solve ProblemsIdentify why a product or system is not working properly
- 3.5.3-5.DCertain Aspects Daily Lives Would Different Without GivenPredict how certain aspects of their daily lives would be different without given technologies
- 3.5.3-5.ENatural Resources and Human ImpactsExplain why responsible use of technology requires sustainable management of resources
- 3.5.3-5.FNatural Resources and Human ImpactsClassify resources used to create technologies as either renewable or nonrenewable
- 3.5.3-5.GHelpful Harmful Effects TechnologyDescribe the helpful and harmful effects of technology
- 3.5.3-5.KEngineering Design and Solution EvaluationJudge technologies to determine the best one to use to complete a given task or meet a need
- 3.5.3-5.HPatterns, Systems, Cause and Effect, and ChangeDetermine factors that influence changes in a society's technological systems or infrastructure
- 3.5.3-5.JTechnologies Developed Adapted When Individual Societal Needs WantsExplain how technologies are developed or adapted when individual or societal needs and wants change
- 3.5.3-5.MEngineering Design and Solution EvaluationDemonstrate essential skills of the engineering design process
- 3.5.3-5.PEngineering Design and Solution EvaluationEvaluate the strengths and weaknesses of existing design solutions, including their own solutions
- 3.5.3-5.QEngineering Design and Solution EvaluationPractice successful design skills
- 3.5.3-5.RTools Techniques Materials Safe Manner Part ProcessApply tools, techniques, and materials in a safe manner as part of the design process
- 3.5.3-5.SEngineering Design and Solution EvaluationIllustrate that there are multiple approaches to design
- 3.5.3-5.TEngineering Design and Solution EvaluationApply universal principles and elements of design
- 3.5.3-5.UEngineering Design and Solution EvaluationEvaluate designs based on criteria, constraints, and standards
- 3.5.3-5.VEngineering Design and Solution EvaluationInterpret how good design improves the human condition
- 3.5.3-5.XVarious Relationships Exist Between Technology Engineering Other ContentExplain how various relationships can exist between technology and engineering and other content areas
- 3.5.3-5.DDPatterns, Systems, Cause and Effect, and ChangeDemonstrate how simple technologies are often combined to form more complex systems
- 3.5.3-5.IEngineering Design and Solution EvaluationDesign solutions by safely using tools, materials, and skills
- 3.5.3-5.EEEngineering Design and Solution EvaluationExplain how solutions to problems are shaped by economic, political, and cultural forces
- 3.5.3-5.FFNatural Resources and Human ImpactsCompare how things found in nature differ from things that are human-made, noting differences and similarities in how they are produced and used
- 3.5.3-5.GGNatural Resources and Human ImpactsDescribe the unique relationship between science and technology, and how the natural world can contribute to the human-made world to encourage innovation
- 3.5.3-5.HHPatterns, Systems, Cause and Effect, and ChangeDifferentiate between the role of scientists, engineers, technologists, and others in creating and maintaining technological systems
- 3.5.3-5.LTools Machines Extend Human Capabilities Holding Lifting CarryingDemonstrate how tools and machines extend human capabilities, such as holding, lifting, carrying, fastening, separating, and computing
- 3.5.3-5.OEngineering Design and Solution EvaluationDescribe requirements of designing or making a product or system
- 3.5.3-5.WMaterial Properties and UsesDescribe the properties of different materials
- 3.5.3-5.YResources Needed Get Technical Job Done People MaterialsIdentify the resources needed to get a technical job done, such as people, materials, capital, tools, machines, knowledge, energy, and time
- 3.5.3-5.ZNew Product Improves Someone'S Life Solve Problems MagnetsCreate a new product that improves someone's life
- 3.5.3-5.BBWhen Parts System Missing May Not Work PlannedIllustrate how, when parts of a system are missing, it may not work as planned
- 3.5.3-5.CCSubsystem System Operates Part Another Larger SystemDescribe how a subsystem is a system that operates as a part of another larger system
- 3.5.3-5.AARepresentations Tools People Made They Cultivated Provide FoodCreate representations of the tools people made, how they cultivated to provide food, made clothing, and built shelters to protect themselves
Source: Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy and Sustainability (STEELS) Standards. Always check the current official document before relying on a code for placement or reporting.
Pennsylvania Grade 3: Math and English Too
Science is one of three Pennsylvania grade 3 centers. Same format, same standards-first approach, for the other two subjects.
Pennsylvania Grade 3 Math
Six full practice tests, printable worksheets, step-by-step lessons, and every Pennsylvania grade 3 math standard.
Pennsylvania Grade 3 English
Reading, writing, and language standards for Pennsylvania grade 3, broken into short skill targets with practice for each one.
Pennsylvania Grade 3 Science FAQ
Does Pennsylvania test science in grade 3?
No. Pennsylvania gives PSSA Science in grades 5 and 8, so grade 3 students do not sit a state science test this year. Pennsylvania also gives the high school biology Keystone exam. The standards on this page are still the ones grade 3 teachers teach, and they are what the next science test builds on.
Which standards does grade 3 science in Pennsylvania follow?
Pennsylvania follows the Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy & Sustainability Standards (STEELS), published by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. All 49 of this grade's standards are listed further down the page with their official codes.
How long are the practice tests?
Each of the six practice tests has 25 questions and a 45-minute timer. The timer auto-submits at zero and you get your score, a breakdown by science area, and a written explanation for every question.
Is any of this free?
Yes, every practice test, quiz, and flashcard set on this page is free and needs no login. Your progress is saved in your own browser and nowhere else.
What is the fastest way to use this page?
Take practice test 1 cold. Look at the topic breakdown, pick the weakest science area, and do that skill quiz. Then read the quick review for that area and come back for practice test 2.
Grade 3 Science in Other States
Standards, practice tests, and quizzes for grade 3 science in every state and Washington, D.C.
Start With One Practice Test
Grade 3 is a building year for science in Pennsylvania. Take a timed test, see which area is thinnest, and fix that one before it compounds.