Scientific Inquiry

Key Idea 1:
The central purpose of scientific inquiry is to develop explanations of natural phenomena in a continuing, creative process.

• S1.1 Formulate questions independently with the aid of references appropriate for guiding the search for explanations of everyday observations.

  • S1.1a formulate questions about natural phenomena

  • S1.1b identify appropriate references to investigate a question

  • S1.1c refine and clarify questions so that they are subject to scientific investigation

• S1.2 Construct explanations independently for natural phenomena, especially by proposing preliminary visual models of phenomena.

  • S1.2a independently formulate a hypothesis

  • S1.2b propose a model of a natural phenomenon

  • S1.2c differentiate among observations, inferences, predictions, and explanations

• S1.3 Represent, present, and defend their proposed explanations of everyday observations so that they can be understood and assessed by others.

• S1.4 Seek to clarify, to assess critically, and to reconcile with their own thinking the ideas presented by others, including peers, teachers, authors, and scientists.

Key Idea 2:
Beyond the use of reasoning and consensus, scientific inquiry involves the testing of pro-posed explanations involving the use of conventional techniques and procedures and usually requiring considerable ingenuity.

• S2.1 Use conventional techniques and those of their own design to make further observations and refine their explanations, guided by a need for more information.

  • S2.1a demonstrate appropriate safety techniques

  • S2.1b conduct an experiment designed by others

  • S2.1c design and conduct an experiment to test a hypothesis

  • S2.1d use appropriate tools and conventional techniques to solve problems about the natural world, including:

    • measuring

    • observing

    • describing

    • classifying

    • sequencing

• S2.2 Develop, present, and defend formal research proposals for testing their own explanations of common phenomena, including ways of obtaining needed observations and ways of conducting simple controlled experiments.

  • S2.2a include appropriate safety procedures

  • S2.2b design scientific investigations (e.g., observing, describing, and comparing; collecting samples; seeking more information, conducting a controlled experiment; discovering new objects or phenomena; making models)

  • S2.2c design a simple controlled experiment

  • S2.2d identify independent variables (manipulated), dependent variables (responding), and constants in a simple controlled experiment

  • S2.2e choose appropriate sample size and number of trials

• S2.3 Carry out their research proposals, recording observations and measurements (e.g., lab notes, audiotape, computer disk, videotape) to help assess the explanation.

  • S2.3a use appropriate safety procedures

  • S2.3b conduct a scientific investigation

  • S2.3c collect quantitative and qualitative data

Key Idea 3:
The observations made while testing proposed explanations, when analyzed using conventional and invented methods, provide new insights into phenomena.

• S3.1 Design charts, tables, graphs, and other representations of observations in conventional and creative ways to help them address their research question or hypothesis.

  • S3.1a organize results, using appropriate graphs, diagrams, data tables, and other models to show relationships

  • S3.1b generate and use scales, create legends, and appropriately label axes

• S3.2 Interpret the organized data to answer the research question or hypothesis and to gain insight into the problem.

  • S3.2a accurately describe the procedures used and the data gathered

  • S3.2b identify sources of error and the limitations of data collected

  • S3.2c evaluate the original hypothesis in light of the data

  • S3.2d formulate and defend explanations and conclusions as they relate to scientific phenomena

  • S3.2e form and defend a logical argument about cause-and-effect relationships in an investigation

  • S3.2f make predictions based on experimental data

  • S3.2g suggest improvements and recommendations for further studying

  • S3.2h use and interpret graphs and data tables

• S3.3 Modify their personal understanding of phenomena based on evaluation of their hypothesis.