Nature of Science - To be successful in science, students must know and be able to:
- Develop a testable question.
- Implement a scientific investigation using research.
- Compare findings and results from in class investigations.
- Devise an appropriate hypothesis that provides an answer to a testable question.
- Identify the independent and the dependent variables.
- Explain what makes a variable either dependent or independent.
- Design a written procedure for a controlled experiment.
- Select and use an appropriate observation/measurement technique for data collection.
- Determine the variables that need to be controlled when planning for and conducting a scientific investigation.
- Justify the need to control certain factors when planning for and conducting various science investigations.
- Explain the need to control certain variables in an experiment.
- Identify the independent, dependent, controlled (constant) variables in a scientific study.
- Determine what makes a variable either dependent or independent.
- Demonstrate how to use the scientific method steps when investigating a scientific question.
- Identify and develop a testable question.
- Identify different methods to investigate scientific questions.
- Justify a methodology used to investigate a scientific question. (e.g., controlled experiments, collecting specimens, constructing models, researching scientific literature, etc.)
- Generate multiple explanations that reasonably describe the resulting data or observations from an investigation.
- Explain that alternative experimental designs can be used to investigate the same testable question.
- Explain the importance of using a standard unit of measure (metric system) when conducting scientific investigations and communicating findings, results, and conclusions.
- Identify the standard unit of measure (metric system) for length, mass, volume, temperature, density….
- Identify and use a light microscope
- Report on the findings of cell investigations
- Explain when it is appropriate to use a data table, bar graph, line graph, or diagrams.
- Create a bar graph and line graph given a data table.
- Demonstrate the appropriate use of data tables, bar and line graphs, and diagrams.
- Recognize patterns, trends, and/or facts from a data set.
- Generate inferences based on data patterns, trends, and/or facts.
- Formulate a logical conclusion based on inferences.
- Evaluate evidence generated by a scientific investigation to determine the extent at which a hypothesis is supported.
- Justify, using evidence, whether or not a hypothesis is supported.
- Demonstrate different ways to effectively communicate results of investigations. (e.g. oral presentations, visual presentations).
- Explain and demonstrate the appropriate use of a bar graph and line graph.
- Construct a bar and line graph from a data set.
21st Century Skills
Critical Thinking and Reasoning
Science requires students to analyze evidence and draw conclusions based on that evidence. Scientific investigation involves defining problems and designing studies to test hypotheses related to those problems. In science, students must justify and defend scientific explanations and distinguish between correlation and causation.
Information Literacy
Understanding science requires students to research current ideas about the natural world. Students must be able to distinguish fact from opinion and truth from fantasy. Science requires a degree of skepticism because the ideas of science are subject to change. Science students must be able to understand what constitutes reliable sources of information and how to validate those sources. One key to science is understanding that converging different lines of evidence from multiple sources strengthens a scientific conclusion.
Collaboration
Science students must be able to listen to others’ ideas, and engage in scientific dialogs that are based on evidence – not opinion. These types of conversations allow them to compare and evaluate the merit of different ideas. The peer review process helps to ensure the validity of scientific explanations.
Self-Direction
Students in science must have persistence and perseverance when exploring scientific concepts. Students must generate their own questions, and design investigations to find the answers. Students must be open to revising and redefining their thinking based on evidence.
Invention
Designing investigations and engineering new products involves a large degree of invention. Scientists and engineers often have to think “outside the box” as they push the limits of our current knowledge. They must learn from their failures to take the next steps in understanding. Science students also must integrate ideas from multiple disciplines to formulate an understanding of the natural world. In addition to using invention to design investigations, scientists also use findings from investigations to help them to invent new products. (Colorado 2010 Science Standards)
Science requires students to analyze evidence and draw conclusions based on that evidence. Scientific investigation involves defining problems and designing studies to test hypotheses related to those problems. In science, students must justify and defend scientific explanations and distinguish between correlation and causation.
Information Literacy
Understanding science requires students to research current ideas about the natural world. Students must be able to distinguish fact from opinion and truth from fantasy. Science requires a degree of skepticism because the ideas of science are subject to change. Science students must be able to understand what constitutes reliable sources of information and how to validate those sources. One key to science is understanding that converging different lines of evidence from multiple sources strengthens a scientific conclusion.
Collaboration
Science students must be able to listen to others’ ideas, and engage in scientific dialogs that are based on evidence – not opinion. These types of conversations allow them to compare and evaluate the merit of different ideas. The peer review process helps to ensure the validity of scientific explanations.
Self-Direction
Students in science must have persistence and perseverance when exploring scientific concepts. Students must generate their own questions, and design investigations to find the answers. Students must be open to revising and redefining their thinking based on evidence.
Invention
Designing investigations and engineering new products involves a large degree of invention. Scientists and engineers often have to think “outside the box” as they push the limits of our current knowledge. They must learn from their failures to take the next steps in understanding. Science students also must integrate ideas from multiple disciplines to formulate an understanding of the natural world. In addition to using invention to design investigations, scientists also use findings from investigations to help them to invent new products. (Colorado 2010 Science Standards)