Skills+and+Traits+of+Scientific+Inquiry

Pre-K-2
Students conduct and communicate results of simple investigations.

a. Ask questions and make observations about objects, organisms, and events in the environment. b. Safely conduct simple investigations to answer questions. c. Use simple instruments with basic units of measurement to gather data and extend the senses. d. Know what constitutes evidence that can be used to construct a reasonable explanation. e. Use writing, speaking, and drawing to communicate investigations and explanations.

3-5
Students plan, conduct, analyze data from, and communicate results of investigations, including fair tests.

a. Pose investigable questions and seek answers from reliable sources of scientific information and from their own investigations. b. Plan and safely conduct investigations including simple experiments that involve a fair test. c. Use simple equipment, tools, and appropriate metric units of measurement to gather data and extend the senses. d. Use data to construct and support a reasonable explanation. e. Communicate scientific procedures and explanations.

6-8
Students plan, conduct, analyze data from, and communicate results of investigations, including simple experiments.

a. Identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigations. b. Design and safely conduct scientific investigations including experiments with controlled variables. c. Use appropriate tools, metric units, and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret data. d. Use mathematics to gather, organize, and present data and structure convincing explanations. e. Use logic, critical reasoning and evidence to develop descriptions, explanations, predictions, and models. f. Communicate, critique, and analyze their own scientific work and the work of other students.

[|A Fable: Think Like a Scientist]

9 - Diploma
Students methodically plan, conduct, analyze data from, and communicate results of in-depth scientific investigations, including experiments guided by a testable hypothesis.

a. Identify questions, concepts, and testable hypotheses that guide scientific investigations. b. Design and safely conduct methodical scientific investigations, including experiments with controls. c. Use statistics to summarize, describe, analyze, and interpret results. d. Formulate and revise scientific investigations and models using logic and evidence. e. Use a variety of tools and technologies to improve investigations and communications. f. Recognize and analyze alternative explanations and models using scientific criteria. g. Communicate and defend scientific ideas.