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January 06, 2009
Curriculum Companions
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Grades 5-8: Science as Inquiry - Content Standard A
[ Kit Connections ]
Note: The following excerpts are from the
National Science Education Standards, © 1995, National
Academy of Sciences.
As a result of the activities in grades 5-8, all students
should develop
- Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
- Understanding about scientific inquiry
DEVELOPING STUDENT UNDERSTANDING
...In a full inquiry students begin with a question,
design an investigation, gather
evidence, formulate an answer to the original question,
and communicate the investigative
process and results. In partial inquiries, they develop
abilities and understanding of selected
aspects of the inquiry process...
GUIDE TO THE CONTENT STANDARD
ABILITIES NECESSARY TO DO SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY
- IDENTIFY QUESTIONS THAT CAN BE ANSWERED THROUGH
SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS.
- DESIGN AND CONDUCT A SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION.
- USE APPROPRIATE TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES TO GATHER, ANALYZE,
AND INTERPRET DATA.
- DEVELOP DESCRIPTIONS, EXPLANATIONS, PREDICTIONS, AND
MODELS USING EVIDENCE.
- THINK CRITICALLY AND LOGICALLY TO MAKE THE RELATIONSHIPS
BETWEEN EVIDENCE AND EXPLANATIONS.
- RECOGNIZE AND ANALYZE ALTERNATIVE EXPLANATIONS AND
PREDICTIONS.
- COMMUNICATE SCIENTIFIC PROCEDURES AND EXPLANATIONS.
- USE MATHEMATICS IN ALL ASPECTS OF SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY.
UNDERSTANDINGS ABOUT SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY
- Different kinds of questions suggest different kinds of
scientific investigations. Some investigations involve
observing and describing
objects, organisms, or events; some involve collecting
specimens; some involve experiments; some involve seeking
more information; some involve discovery of new objects and
phenomena; and some involve making models.
- Science advances through legitimate skepticism. Asking
questions and querying other scientists' explanations is
part of scientific
inquiry. Scientists evaluate the explanations proposed by
other scientists by examining evidence, comparing evidence,
identifying faulty reasoning, pointing out statements that
go beyond the evidence, and suggesting alternative
explanations for the same observations.
- Scientific investigations sometimes result in new ideas
and phenomena for study, generate
new methods or procedures for an investigation, or
develop new technologies to improve
the collection of data. All of these results can
lead to new investigations.
Kit-Specific Curriculum Connections
Note: Generally, all kits meet Content
Standard A. Below are just a few specific examples of where
the standard is met.
Science and Technology for Children
Note: The following excerpts are © National Academy of Sciences.
Grade 6: Magnets and Motors
Skills
- Observing, describing, and recording the results of
experiments.
- Predicting and testing how changing a variable affects
the outcome of an experiment.
- Interpreting the results of experiments to draw
conclusions.
- Communicating results through writing, drawing, and
discussion.
Insights
Note: The following excerpts are © Education Development Center, Inc. and Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company.
"Circuits and Pathways"
Summary of Learning Experiences
4. Students observe the inner structure of the bulb and
trace the pathway of the electric circuit.
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What is...a circuit [ Read comments | Post comments ]
"Sound"
Summary of Learning Experiences
- 4. Students generate and observe vibrations and sound
using tuning forks, rubber bands, and homemade drums.
- 5. Students explore the relationship between pitch and
tension as they are challenged to make four drums that have
different pitches.
- 6. Students continue to explore the relationship between
pitch and tensions using the rubber bands, pegboards, and
golf tees from Learning Experience 4.
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Sound - Wired@School [ Read comments | Post comments ]
-
Speed of Sound Activities [ Read comments | Post comments ]
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