Nature of Science

Suggested time: 17 days & throughout the year

Objectives

Students will:

• explain that some types of scientific investigations are conducted to collect and analyze data without forming an initial hypothesis;

• discuss the benefits of these types of investigations, including not requiring a preconceived notion (hypothesis) and collecting a variety of data;

• explain that an investigation may lead to an experiment;

• explain that an experiment tests a hypothesis;

• discuss that an experiment can be conducted only after some research, thought, and reasoning have been put into forming a hypothesis; and discuss the benefits of conducting experiments, including answering a specific question and collecting more focused data.

• recognize that there are different methods for data collection;

• compare and contrast different methods, results, and explanations of investigations conducted by different groups of students; and discuss that common results will most likely be obtained in properly conducted investigations despite differences in methods.

• describe how scientific activities are based on factual and testable evidence; and discuss that scientific activities require objectivity and limited bias, in contrast with other activities that may involve subjective thought and considerable bias.

• define theory as a scientific explanation for an observation of a phenomenon or pattern in the natural world; discuss the process of careful and repeated data collection necessary for a theory to be valid; acknowledge that a theory may change based on new evidence; and give examples of some well-known theories, such as the Big Bang theory, cell theory, and plate tectonic theory.

• discuss that laws are based on numerous experiments pertaining to natural phenomena

• define a scientific model as a visual representation that helps people gain a greater understanding of a scientific concept; explain how models can be used to study things that are too large or too small to see; apply knowledge to discuss the benefits and limitations of using models to study science.

Benchmarks Covered:

• SC.6.N.1.1

• Define a problem from the sixth grade curriculum, use appropriate reference materials to support scientific understanding, plan and carry out scientific investigation of various types, such as systematic observations or experiments, identify variables, collect and organize data, interpret data in charts, tables, and graphics, analyze information, make predictions, and defend conclusions.

• SC.6.N.1.2

• Explain why scientific investigations should be replicable.

• SC.6.N.1.3

• Explain the difference between an experiment and other types of scientific investigation, and explain the relative benefits and limitations of each.

• SC.6.N.1.4

• Discuss, compare, and negotiate methods used, results obtained, and explanations among groups of students conducting the same investigation.

• SC.6.N.1.5

• Recognize that science involves creativity, not just in designing experiments, but also in creating explanations that fit evidence.

• SC.6.N.2.1

• Distinguish science from other activities involving thought.

• SC.6.N.2.2

• Explain that scientific knowledge is durable because it is open to change as new evidence or interpretations are encountered.

• SC.6.N.3.1

• Recognize and explain that a scientific theory is a well-supported and widely accepted explanation of nature and is not simply a claim posed by an individual. Thus, the use of the term theory in science is very different than how it is used in everyday life.

• SC.6.N.3.2

• Recognize and explain that a scientific law is a description of a specific relationship under given conditions in the natural world. Thus, scientific laws are different from societal laws.

• SC.6.N.3.3

• Give several examples of scientific laws.

• SC.6.N.3.4

• Identify the role of models in the context of the sixth-grade science benchmarks.