(3-4) M2

Science Curriculum Preview Committee Clarification of Learning Results

Revised 07/01/04

3-4

M2: Investigate and describe the role of scientists and inventors.

Curriculum Organizing Questions

How did this invention come to be?

What was this scientist's daily life like?

Do today's scientists and inventors work in much the same way that famous scientists and inventors from the past did?

Who are the scientists in our community and what do they do?

Elaboration
Students can learn some things about scientific inquiry and significant people from history, which will provide a foundation for the development of sophisticated ideas related to the history and nature of science that will be developed in later years. Stories should highlight how these people worked ---that is, the questions, procedures, and contributions of diverse individuals to science and technology.

Students can read and share stories that express the theme that science and technology are human endeavors. NSES p. 141.

Specific Ideas

People have always had questions about their world. Science is one way of answering questions and explaining the natural world.NSES E2a.

Scientist and engineers often work in teams with different individuals doing different things that contribute to the results. NSES E2c.

People have always had problems and invented tools and techniques (ways of doing something) to solve problems. Trying to determine the effects of solutions helps people avoid some new problems.NSES E2b.

Women and men of all ages, backgrounds, and groups engage in a variety of scientific and technological work. NSES E2d.

Although men and women using scientific inquiry have learned much about the objects, events, and phenomena in nature, much more remains to be understood. Science will never be finished.NSES G1c.

Many people choose science as a career and devote their entire lives to studying it. Many people derive great pleasure from doing science.NSES G1d.

Developmental & Instructional Implications
Teachers should emphasize the experiences of investigating and thinking about explanations and not overemphasize the memorization of scientific terms and information. NSES p.141.

Examples

Back to Big Ideas Grid M Back to Standard M Back to Index

Curriculum Organizing Questions	How did this invention come to be? What was this scientist's daily life like? Do today's scientists and inventors work in much the same way that famous scientists and inventors from the past did? Who are the scientists in our community and what do they do?
Elaboration	Students can learn some things about scientific inquiry and significant people from history, which will provide a foundation for the development of sophisticated ideas related to the history and nature of science that will be developed in later years. Stories should highlight how these people worked ---that is, the questions, procedures, and contributions of diverse individuals to science and technology. Students can read and share stories that express the theme that science and technology are human endeavors. NSES p. 141.
Specific Ideas	People have always had questions about their world. Science is one way of answering questions and explaining the natural world.NSES E2a. Scientist and engineers often work in teams with different individuals doing different things that contribute to the results. NSES E2c. People have always had problems and invented tools and techniques (ways of doing something) to solve problems. Trying to determine the effects of solutions helps people avoid some new problems.NSES E2b. Women and men of all ages, backgrounds, and groups engage in a variety of scientific and technological work. NSES E2d. Although men and women using scientific inquiry have learned much about the objects, events, and phenomena in nature, much more remains to be understood. Science will never be finished.NSES G1c. Many people choose science as a career and devote their entire lives to studying it. Many people derive great pleasure from doing science.NSES G1d.
Developmental & Instructional Implications	Teachers should emphasize the experiences of investigating and thinking about explanations and not overemphasize the memorization of scientific terms and information. NSES p.141.
Examples