9-12

E1: Trace the development of models of the atom to the present, and describe how each model reflects the scientific understanding of their time.

Curriculum Organizing Questions	How does (this model) explain the atom? How is (this model) different than earlier and later models? How did (this model) refelct scientific thinking at that time?
Elaboration	Usually, changes in science occur as small modifications in extant knowledge. Occasionally, there are advances in science and technology that have important and long-lasting effects on science and society. NSES p. 201 3a-3b. Atomic theory, from Demokritos to Schrodinger, show this. The historical perspective of scientific explanations demonstrates how scientific knowlegde changes over time. This indicator can be connected to much of standard M.
Specific Ideas
Developmental & Instructional Implications	See developmental implicationd for middle school E2 for possible misconceptions. It will be difficult, but important, for students to know "how we know" about the internal structure of atoms. Quality learning and the spirit and practise of scientific inquiry are lost when the evidence and argument for atomic structure are replaced by direct asertions by the teacher and text. Although many experiments are difficult to replicate in school, students can read some of the reports and examine the chain of evidence that lead to the development of the current concept of the atom. The nature of the atom is still far from totally understood today. NSES p. 177
Examples

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