|
Scientific Investigation
The student demonstrates scientific competence by completing projects
drawn from the following kinds of investigation, including at least one
full investigation each year and, over the course of high school, investigations
that integrate several aspects of Science Standards 1 to 7 and represent
all four of the kinds of investigation:
 a
Controlled experiment.
b
Fieldwork.
c
Design.
d
Explains a scientific concept or procedure
to other students.
e
Secondary research.
A single project may draw on more than one type of investigation.
A full investigation includes:
- Questions that can be studied using the resources available.
- Procedures that are safe, humane, and ethical; and that respect privacy
and property rights.
- Data that have been collected and recorded (see also Science Standard
6) in ways that others can verify, and analyzed using skills expected
at this grade level (see also Mathematics Standard 4).
- Data and results that have been represented (see also Science Standard
7) in ways that fit the context.
- Recommendations, decisions, and conclusions based on evidence.
- Acknowledgment of references and contributions of others.
- Results that are communicated appropriately to audiences.
- Reflection and defense of conclusions and recommendations from other
sources and peer review.
Examples of projects through which students might demonstrate competence
in scientific investigation include:
- Investigate the effectiveness of common household cleaners on bacterial
growth. 8a, 1c, 2a, 4c
- Conduct research to determine if the incidence of asthma is related
to weather. 8b, 3a, 4c
- Conduct a study of the geology of an area near the school and describe
the likely history of the region, using observations and reference materials.
8b, 8d, 3c, 6d
- Compare and contrast the designs of different sports shoes and evaluate
the designs considering the varying demands of different sports. 8c
- Conduct an investigation to determine if the shape of a stereo speaker
container affects sound quality. 8c, 1f
- Study the distribution of a species in the region or state and discuss
the likelihood of it becoming endangered. 8d,
2c, 5c, 6c
Standard 1 Analysis, Inquiry, and Design
Scientific Inquiry
- The central purpose of scientific inquiry is to develop explanations
of natural phenomena in a continuing, creative process.
- Beyond the use of reasoning and consensus, scientific inquiry involves
the testing of proposed explanations involving the use of conventional
techniques and procedures and usually requiring considerable ingenuity.
p. 6
- The observations made while testing explanations, when analyzed using
conventional and invented methods, provide new insights into phenomena.
p. 7
Engineering Design
- Engineering design is an iterative process involving modeling and
optimization finding the best solution within given constraints which
is used to develop technological solutions to problems within given
constraints. p. 7
| Standard A Science
as Inquiry
Design and conduct scientific investigations. Designing and conducting
a scientific investigation requires introduction to the major concepts
in the area being investigated, proper equipment, safety precautions,
assistance with methodological problems, recommendations for the
use of technologies, clarification of ideas that guide the inquiry,
and scientific knowledge obtained from sources other than the actual
investigation. The investigation may also require student clarification
of the question, method, controls, and variables; student organization
and display of data; student revision of methods and explanations;
and a public presentation of the results with critical response
from peers. Regardless of the scientific investigation performed,
students must use evidence, apply logic, and construct an argument
for their proposed explanations. p. 175
Standard E Science and Technology
Identify a problem or design opportunity.
Propose designs and choose between alternate solutions.
Implement a proposed solution.
Evaluate the solution and its consequences.
Communicate the problem, processes, and solution. p.192
|
Chapter 1 The Nature of Science
1B Scientific Inquiry
Sometimes, scientists can control conditions in order to obtain
evidence. When it is not possible for practical or ethical reasons,
they may try to observe as wide a range of natural occurrences as
possible to be able to discern patterns.
There are different traditions in science about what is investigated
and how, but they all have in common certain basic beliefs about
the value of evidence, logic, and good arguments. And there is agreement
that progress in all fields of science depends on intelligence,
hard work, imagination, and even chance. p. 13
Chapter 3 The Nature of Technology
3B Design and Systems
In designing a device or process, thought should be given to how
it will be manufactured, replaced, and disposed of and who will
sell, operate, and take care of it. The costs associated with these
functions may introduce yet more constraints on the design. p. 52
|
¹ ² ³
|
