Standards

Questions

What types of questions and hypotheses can be answered by science?
What elements of design are critical in conducting a scientific investigation?
How can we ensure that scientific investigations are both safe and consistent with standard scientific practice?
How do we know whether scientific data are accurate?
How do we know whether the conclusions of a scientific investigation are valid?
How have science and technology affected the quality of life?
What is the difference between a scientific hypothesis, theory, and law and what makes science different from other disciplines such as philosophy, mathematics, or the humanities?

Standards

Students apply the processes of scientific investigation and design, safely conduct, communicate about and evaluate such investigations.

Relevance

The scientific process can be used in your daily life to gain an understanding of the world around you.
The ability to understand the nature of science will help you evaluate scientific reports, findings, and news.

Outcomes

Asks questions and states hypotheses using prior scientific knowledge to help design and guide development and implementation of a scientific investigation.
Designs and conducts scientific investigations.
Appropriately selects and safely uses tools (including laboratory materials, equipment, technology, and electronic resources) to conduct scientific investigations.
Identifies major sources of error or uncertainly within an investigation (e.g., particular measuring devices and experimental procedures).
Communicates and evaluates scientific thinking that leads to particular conclusions.
Understands interrelationships among science, technology, and human activity and how they can affect the world.
Explains the difference between a hypothesis and a theory and between a theory and a law, and understands that science involves a particular way of knowing, and understanding common themes among scientific disciplines.