The Carmel Valley Science Department strives to meet consistency across the curriculum in order to teach scientific literacy while addressing the CA State Science Standards.  The National Science Education Standards define scientific literacy as "the knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts and processes required for scientific decision making, participation in civic and cultural affairs, and economic productivity." The tenets of scientific literacy include the ability to:

·Find or determine answers to questions derived from everyday experiences.
·Describe, explain, and predict natural phenomena.
·Understand articles about science.
·Engage in non-technical conversation about the validity of conclusions.
·Identify scientific issues underlying national and local decisions.
·Pose explanations based on evidence derived from one's own work.