Science Rational
Science Standard 1
Science Standard 2
Science Standard 3
Science Standard 4
Science Standard 5
Science Standard 6
Science Glossary
Arizona Standards

Science Standards
(Adopted 6/23/97)

Standard 1: Science As Inquiry

Students understand and use the processes of scientific investigation and scientific ways of knowing. They are able to design, conduct, describe and evaluate these investigations. They are able to understand and apply concepts that unify scientific disciplines.

READINESS (Kindergarten)

Students know and are able to do the following:

  • 1SC-R1. Identify and use safe procedures in all science activities

PO 1. Demonstrate safe procedures (e.g., use and care of simple technology, materials and organisms) and behavior in all science inquiry

  • 1SC-R2. Ask questions about the natural world (e.g., How do trees grow? Why is the sky blue? Where does rain come from?)

PO 1. Formulate questions about objects, organisms, events and relationships in the natural world

  • 1SC-R3. Categorize objects, organisms and events in different ways

PO 1. Organize (e.g., sort, classify, sequence) objects, organisms and events by different characteristics<

  • 1SC-R4. State simple hypotheses about cause-and-effect relationships in the environment

PO 1. Formulate a question that relates to the environment

PO 2. Predict the results of an observable cause-and-effect relationship

  • 1SC-R5. Perform simple measurements and comparisons

PO 1. Perform simple measurements using appropriate devices

PO 2. Compare objects according to their measurements

  • 1SC-R6. Communicate observations and comparisons through various means such as pictographs, pictures, models and words

PO 1. Describe observations with pictographs, pictures, models and words

PO 2. Describe similarities and differences of observations

  • 1SC-R7. Observe and describe changes in a simple system (e.g., a plant terrarium)

PO 1. Describe changes observed in a simple system (e.g., ant farm, plant terrarium, aquarium)

FOUNDATIONS (Grades 1-3)

Students know and are able to do all of the above and the following:

  • 1SC-F1. Plan, design, conduct and report on the conclusions of basic experiments

With appropriate guidance:

PO 1. Plan an experiment

PO 2. Design an experiment

PO 3. Predict the results of an experiment

PO 4. Conduct an experiment and record data

PO 5. Report, through various means, the conclusions of an experiment

  • 1SC-F2. Construct models (e.g., a volcano, a paper airplane, a solar system) that illustrate simple concepts and compare those models to what they represent

With appropriate guidance:

PO 1. Construct physical models (e.g., a volcano, a paper airplane, a solar system) illustrating simple concepts

PO 2. Compare a physical model to what it represents

  • 1SC-F3. Identify and record changes and patterns of changes in a familiar system

PO 1. Describe changes and patterns of changes in a familiar system

PO 2. Record changes and patterns of changes in a familiar system

  • 1SC-F4. Describe relationships among parts of a familiar system (e.g., a bicycle, a park, a clock)

PO 1. Identify parts of a familiar system

PO 2. Explain the relationships among parts of a system

ESSENTIALS (Grades 4-8)

Students know and are able to do all of the above and the following:

  • 1SC-E1. Identify a question, formulate a hypothesis, control and manipulate variables, devise experiments, predict outcomes, compare and analyze results, and defend conclusions

(Grades 4-5)

PO 1. Distinguish between a question and a hypothesis

PO 2. Describe the functions of variables in an investigation

PO 3. Predict an outcome based on experimental data

PO 4. Draw a conclusion based on a set of experimental data

(Grades 6-8)

PO 1. Design an experiment using a scientific method

PO 2. Conduct an experiment using a scientific method

PO 3. Analyze the results of an experiment

PO 4. Defend conclusions drawn from the analysis

  • 1SC-E2. Create a model (e.g., a computer simulation, a stream table) to predict change

(Grades 4-5)

PO 1.Design a model to illustrate a system

(Grades 6-8)

PO 1. Construct a model that demonstrates change within a system

PO 2. Describe variables that cause change

PO 3. Explain cause and effect of variables within a system

  • 1SC-E3. Organize and present data gathered from their own experiences, using appropriate mathematical analyses and graphical representations

(Grades 4-5)

PO 1. Organize gathered data into an appropriate format

PO 2. Construct a representation of data (e.g., bar graph, line graph, frequency table, Venn diagram)

(Grades 6-8)

PO 1. Construct a representation of data (e.g., histogram, stem-and-leaf plot, scatter plot, circle graph, flow chart)

PO 2. Interpret patterns in collected data

  • 1SC-E4. Identify and refine questions from previous investigations

(Grades 4-5)

PO 1. Identify questions from previous investigations

PO 2. Refine questions from previous investigations

(Grades 6-8)

PO 1. Analyze the results of previous investigations

PO 2. Refine hypotheses from a previous investigation

  • 1SC-E5. Analyze the processes, parts and subsystems of a bicycle, a clock or other mechanical or electrical device

(Grades 4-5)

PO 1. Identify the parts of a subsystem within a system

PO 2. Describe the functions of the parts of a subsystem

PO 3. State cause-and-effect relationships among components in mechanical or electrical devices

(Grades 6-8)

PO 1. Explain the interaction among parts within mechanical or electrical devices

PO 2. Analyze the processes that operate within a mechanical or electrical device

  • 1SC-E6. Analyze scientific reports from magazines, television or other media

(Grades 4-5)

PO 1. Analyze the reliability of scientific information from a variety of sources

PO 2. Use evidence to support or refute a conclusion drawn from a scientific report

(Grades 6-8)

PO 1. Evaluate information for accuracy, logic, bias and impact

PROFICIENCY (Grades 9-12)

Students know and are able to do all of the above and the following:

  • 1SC-P1. Propose solutions to practical and theoretical problems by synthesizing and evaluating information gained from scientific investigations

PO 1. Evaluate scientific information for relevance to a given problem

PO 2. Propose solutions to a problem, based on information gained from scientific investigations

  • 1SC-P2. Compare observations of the real world to observations of a constructed model (e.g., an aquarium, a terrarium, a volcano)

PO 1. Assess the capability of a model to represent a "real world"  scenario

  • 1SC-P3. Analyze and evaluate reports of scientific studies

PO 1. Analyze reports of scientific studies for elements of experimental design

PO 2. Compare conclusions to original hypotheses

PO 3. Evaluate validity of conclusions

  • 1SC-P4. Create and defend a written plan of action for a scientific investigation

PO 1. Design an appropriate protocol (written plan of action) for the investigation of a scientific problem

PO 2. Justify the protocol in terms of the elements of experimental design

  • 1SC-P5. Apply the concepts of equilibrium, form and function to a variety of phenomena

PO 1. Predict the effects of various factors on the equilibrium of a system

PO 2. Explain how the relationships between form and function are evident in natural and designed systems

PO 3. Describe how present form and function of an object, organism or system could have evolved from prior form and function

  • 1SC-P6. Identify and refine a researchable question, conduct the experiment, collect and analyze data, share and discuss findings

PO 1. Construct a researchable question

PO 2. Employ a research design that incorporates a scientific method to carry out an experiment

PO 3. Analyze experimental data

PO 4. Communicate experimental findings to others

DISTINCTION (Honors)

Students know and are able to do all of the above and the following:

  • 1SC-D1. Design and complete an advanced scientific investigation, either individually or as part of a team, and formally report results to peers, teachers and others
  • 1SC-D2. Apply the concepts of emergent properties, feedback, subsystems, equilibria, and unpredictability to a complex system (e.g., weather, the brain)
  • 1SC-D3. Interview science professionals (e.g., scientists, philosophers of science) to understand how they view science and formally report results to peers, teachers and others