Post Archives from the ‘Investigation & Experimentation’ Category


 

Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions

Posted on: December 30th, 2010 by
Comments Requested

Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful investigations. As a basis for understanding this concept and addressing the content in the other three strands, students should develop their own questions and perform investigations.

The grade 5 I&E (Investigation and Experimentation) standards make a significant step from the abilities to follow an existing, written set Continue reading the story "Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions"

Conduct multiple trials to test a prediction

Posted on: December 27th, 2010 by
Comments Requested

Conduct multiple trials to test a prediction and draw conclusions about the relationships between predictions and results. Scientists would generally interpret the phrase “multiple trials” as meaning to repeat the same experiment in the identical way many times. This repetition is necessary to determine how accurate our experimental set-up is and our way Continue reading the story "Conduct multiple trials to test a prediction"

Measure and estimate the weight, length, or volume of objects

Posted on: December 27th, 2010 by
Comments Requested

Measuring is a specific kind of observation skill. Scientists routinely measure weight and volume with balances and graduated cylinders. They often use common tools for measuring length. Estimating is a valuable skill because it can help in selecting the proper equipment and supplies. Estimating can also help avoid making mistakes in expressing answers. If you have Continue reading the story "Measure and estimate the weight, length, or volume of objects"

Differentiate observation from inference (interpretation)

Posted on: December 27th, 2010 by
Comments Requested

Differentiate observation from inference (interpretation) and know scientists' explanations come partly from what they observe and partly from how they interpret their observations. All science process skills ultimately depend on the ability to make accurate observations. While observing seems simple, it is much more difficult than most people realize. As one indicator Continue reading the story "Differentiate observation from inference (interpretation)"

Most microorganisms do not cause disease and that many are beneficial

Posted on: December 27th, 2010 by
Comments Requested

As noted in the California Science Framework (page 62), “this standard helps students to look beyond the common misconceptions that bacteria are responsible only for diseases and that microorganisms are responsible only for decomposition.” For example, photosynthetic single-celled organisms in the ocean are the primary producers for vast ecosystems. The American Society for Microbiology has an education section on their Continue reading the story "Most microorganisms do not cause disease and that many are beneficial"