Constructing explanations and designing solutions in K–2 builds on prior experiences and progresses to the use of evidence and ideas in constructing evidence-based accounts of natural phenomena and designing solutions.   

• Make observations (firsthand or from media) to construct an evidence-based account for natural phenomena.   

• Use tools and/or materials to design and/or build a device that solves a specific problem or a solution to a specific problem.  

• Generate and/or compare multiple solutions to a problem. 

Constructing explanations and designing solutions in 3–5 builds on K–2 experiences and progresses to the use of evidence in constructing explanations that specify variables that describe and predict phenomena and in designing multiple solutions to design problems.  

• Construct an explanation of observed relationships (e.g., the distribution of plants in the backyard).  

• Use evidence (e.g., measurements, observations, patterns) to construct or support an explanation or design a solution to a problem.  

• Identify the evidence that supports particular points in an explanation.  

• Apply scientific ideas to solve design problems.  

• Generate and compare multiple solutions to a problem based on how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the design solution. 

Constructing explanations and designing solutions in 6–8 builds on K5 experiences and progresses to include constructing explanations and designing solutions supported by multiple sources of evidence consistent with scientific ideas, principles, and theories.  

• Construct an explanation that includes qualitative or quantitative relationships between variables that predict(s) and/or describe(s) phenomena.  

• Construct an explanation using models or representations.   

• Construct a scientific explanation based on valid and reliable evidence obtained from sources (including the students’ own experiments) and the assumption that theories and laws that describe the natural world operate today as they did in the past and will continue to do so in the future.  

• Apply scientific ideas, principles, and/or evidence to construct, revise, and/or use an explanation for real-world phenomena, examples, or events.   

• Apply scientific reasoning to show why the data or evidence is adequate for the explanation or conclusion. 

•  Apply scientific ideas or principles to design, construct, and/or test a design of an object, tool, process or system. 

• Undertake a design project, engaging in the design cycle, to construct and/or implement a solution that meets specific design criteria and constraints.  

• Optimize performance of a design by prioritizing criteria, making tradeoffs, testing, revising, and retesting.