Fundamental Concepts and Principles Addressed (K-4)

Science as Inquiry

Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry

• Ask a question about objects, organisms, and events in the environment.
• Plan and conduct a simple investigation.
• Employ simple equipment and tools to gather data and extend the senses.
• Use data to construct a reasonable explanation.
• Communicate investigations and explanations.

Understandings about scientific inquiry

• Scientific investigations involve asking and answering a question and comparing the answer with what scientists already know about the world.
• Scientists use different kinds of investigations depending on the questions they are trying to answer.
• Simple instruments, like rulers, provide more information than scientists obtain using only their senses.
• Scientists develop explanations using observations and what they already know about the world.
• Scientists make the results of their investigations public.
• Scientists review and ask questions about the results of other scientists’ work.

Properties of objects and materials

• Objects are made from one or more materials and can be described by the materials from which they are made.

Position and motion of objects

• The position of an object can be described by locating it relative to another object.
• An object’s motion can be described by tracing and measuring its position over time.
• The position and motion of objects can be changed by pushing or pulling. The size of the change is related to the strength of the push or pull.

Abilities of technological design

• Identify a simple problem.
• Propose a solution.
• Implementing proposed solutions.
• Evaluate a product or design.
• Communicate a problem, design, and solution.

Understandings about science and technology

• Science is a way of answering questions.
• Scientists and engineers work in teams with different individuals doing different things.
• Tools help scientists make better observations.
• Women and men of all ages, backgrounds, and groups engage in the varieties of scientific and technological work.

Science and technology in local challenges

• People continue inventing new ways to do things, solving problems, and getting work done.
• Science and technology have greatly influenced transportation.

History and Nature of Science

Science as a human endeavor

• Science and technology have been practiced by people for a long time.
• Men and women have made a variety of contributions throughout the history of science and technology.
• Many people choose science as a career. Many people derive great pleasure from doing science.
• There is still much more to be understood about science.

Systems, order, and organization

Evidence, models, and explanation

Constancy, change, and measurement

Evolution and equilibrium

Form and function

Fundamental Concepts and Principles Addressed (5-8)

Science as Inquiry

Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry

• Identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigations.
• 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

• Scientists use different kinds of investigations, depending on the questions they are trying to answer.
• Mathematics is important in all aspects of scientific inquiry.
• Technology used to gather data enhances accuracy and allows scientists to quantify results.
• Scientific investigations sometimes result in new ideas for study or generate new methods for investigation.

Motions and forces

• The motion of an object can be described by its position, direction of motion, and speed. The motion can be represented on a graph.
• An object that is not being subjected to a force will continue to move at a constant speed in a straight line.
• If more than one force acts on an object along a straight line, then the forces will reinforce or cancel one another, depending on their direction and magnitude.

Transfer of energy

• Energy is a property of many substances and is associated with heat, light, electricity, mechanical motion, sound. Energy is transferred in many ways.

Abilities of technological design

• Identify appropriate problems for technological design.
• Design a solution or product.
• Implement a proposed solution.
• Evaluate completed technological designs or products.
• Communicate the process of technological design.

Understandings about science and technology

• Scientific inquiry and technological design have similarities and differences. Scientists propose explanations for questions; engineers propose solutions to problems and needs.
• Science and technology are reciprocal. Technology also provides tools for investigation, inquiry, and analysis.
• Perfectly designed solutions do not exist. All solutions have trade-offs, such as cost, efficiency, and appearance.
• Technological designs have constraints, such as properties of materials or friction. Other constraints limit choice in design.

Science and technology in society

• Technology influences society through its products and processes.
• Science and technology have advanced through contributions of many different people.
• Scientists and engineers work in many different settings.
• Science cannot answer all questions and technology cannot solve all problems or meet all needs.

Science as a human endeavor

• Women and men of various backgrounds engage in the activities of science. Some scientists work in teams and some work alone, but all communicate extensively with others.
• Science requires different abilities.

Nature of science

• Scientists formulate and test their explanations using observations, experiments, and mathematical models.
• It is part of scientific inquiry to evaluate the results of scientific investigations.

History of science

• Many individuals have contributed to the traditions of science.

Unifying Concepts and Processes

Systems, order, and organization

Evidence, models, and explanation

Constancy, change, and measurement

Evolution and equilibrium

Form and function