past:
present:
NSES for content for 5th-8th grade state that, "Full inquiry involves asking a simple question, completing the investigation, answering the question and presenting the results to others." NSES standards also state: "Students at all grade levels and in every domain of science should have the opportunity to use scientific inquiry and develop the ability to think and act in ways associated with inquiry. These include asking questions, planning and conducting investigations, using appropriate tools and techniques to gather data, think critically and logically about relationships between evidence and explanations, constructing and analyzing alternative explanations and communicating scientific arguments."
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills
The (TEKS), required by the Texas Education Agency to be applied to all public schools, are a curriculum framework composed of clearly defined statements and specific descriptions of what students should know and be able to do. The following are TEKS for 5th and 6th grades that apply to our project, "Power of the Past".
5th and 6th grade
The study of science includes conducting field and laboratory investigations
using scientific methods, analyzing data, making informed decisions and
using tools to collect, analyze and record information. Students also
use computers and information technology tools to support scientific investigations.
5th grade
The student is expected to:
5.8a…differentiate among forms of energy including light, heat, electrical,
and solar energy.
5.8c…demonstrate that electricity can flow in a circuit and can produce
heat,light, sound, and magnetic effects
5.11a…identify past events that led to the formation of the Earth's
renewable, nonrenewable and inexhaustible resources.
5.12b…describe processes responsible for the formation of coal, oil,
gas and minerals
6th grade
The student is expected to:
6.9a… identify energy transformations occurring during the production
of energy for human use such as electrical energy to heat energy or heat
energy to electrical energy
6.9b…compare methods used for transforming energy in devices such
as hydroelectric and wind power plants
6.9c…research and describe energy types from their source to their
use and determine if the type is renewable, nonrenewable or inexhaustible
Local - Austin ISD Science Curriculum
Competencies include: all fifth grade students will gather, organize
and analyze scientific data utilizing appropriate technology to facilitate
inquiry and manipulate laboratory equipment. Students will apply process
skills of scientific inquiry to investigate and solve a problem, communicate
scientific concepts verbally, in writing and through investigations. Students
will produce projects, models, graphs, charts and independent/group research
reports. A culminating assessment would be, after identifying and explaining
a problem situation, use knowledge acquired through scientific inquiry
to create a product that demonstrates application of the concepts of diversity
and change over time.
Content for 5th and 6th grade includes: microscopes and use of
the scientific method; landforms; interactions of energy and matter; motion
and force; scientific inquiry; metric measurement; technology; use of
scientific tools; renewable and nonrenewable resources.
Concepts include: energy that comes from many sources; scientific
inquiry is an effective way of examining the world.