6th Grade: Florida Science Fusion
Unit 1: The Nature of Science
-the practice of science (what it is, how it works)..and that it is ever-changing as new things are discovered
-the characteristics of scientific knowledge
-the role of theories, laws, hypotheses, and models
Lesson 1: What is Science?
Essential Question:
Q:How is Science different from other fields of study?
A: (pg 6) Science can be tested, measured, and most importantly, proven false. Others are based on opinion,
superstition, fiction, and personal tastes.
Vocabulary:
1.science= The systematic study of natural events and conditions…using a logical and structured way of thinking about
the world. Then formulate laws or principles that can be verified or tested.
2.empirical evidence- evidence gained from observation, measurements taken, other types of data collected, testing and
not opinion, superstition, personal tastes, or fiction.
Q: What does science study? (pg 6)
A: Things they observe about our natural world.
Science is subdivided into different BRANCHES, or areas of study.
1.) Biology (bio=life, -ology=the study of)
2.) Geology (geo=earth, -ology=the study of)
3.) Astronomy (astro=objects in outer space; the study of)
4.) Physical Science (the study of energy and all nonliving matter)includes both chemistry and physics.
Some branches overlap: exs: biochemist, geophysicist.
Q: What are types of questions scientists ask? (pg 6)
A: Ones that can be tested, and ones where the answers can be measured in some way. And most importantly, they can
be proven false.
Q: What is a scientific explanation? (pg 8)
A: It describes a natural process. It relies heavily on evidence gained from direct observation and testing. They are ones
others can test and refute.
Q: What makes scientific explanations strong? ( pg 8)
A: Other scientists doing the same experiments as each other and getting the same results.
Q: How is scientific explanation evaluated? (pg9)
A: First-look for empirical evidence
Second-consider if explanation is logical
Third- think of other tests you could do to support your ideas
Last- evaluate the explanation
Q: How do scientists show CREATIVITY ?
A: In designing experiments..(ex: bluegills coughing to tell us about polluted drinking water)
In explaining observations (in a way that best explains their findings for others to understand clearly)
6th Grade: Florida Science Fusion
Lesson 2: Scientific Knowledge
Essential Question:
Q:How do we know about the world we live in?
A: by theories, laws and models explaining it to us; letting us know what to expect to happen or expect to see under
certain situations/conditions.
Vocabulary:
3.) Theory-a well-supported explanation about the natural world. They have survived a good deal of testing.
Scientists also use theories to make predictions about what they may not have seen yet. They are much
stronger than a hunch made by only one person.
a. Example: plate tectonics theory; states that Earth’s outer layer is divided into individual plates. The
plates move over Earth’s surface and carry the landmasses with them.(p16)
b. Example: particle theory of light
c. Example: wave theory of light
4.) Model-is a representation of something in the natural world. They allow scientists to study things that may be
too large, too small, or in some way too difficult to study. In science, models do not need to be physical
things. They can even be computer programs or mathematical equations!
a. Example: maps; such as the one map that illustrates how today’s continents were all once connected
together to form the big mega-continent called Pangaea.
5.) Law-describes a basic principle of nature that always occurs under certain conditions. It tells you what you can
expect to happen/see under certain conditions.
a. Example: Law of inertia- states that an object in motion (or at rest) will stay in that exact same motion
(or rest) unless acted upon by an outside force.
b. Example: Charle’s law- states that a gas at a constant pressure, it’s volume will increase as it’s
temperature increases.
i. Laws can sometimes be expressed in different ways, for example Charle’s Law can also be
expressed mathematically by the equation : V1T2=V2T1
c. Example: Law of superposition- (geology) states that any one layer of rock is always younger than the
layer below it.
Q: What are some types of scientific explanations: (pg.16)
A:
TheoriesModelsLawsQ: What makes good scientific knowledge?: (pg.20)
A: The best scientific theories and models are those that are able to adapt to explain new observations.
Q: What makes a good source?: (pg.21)
A: Usually the government (.gov) or university (.edu) or nationally recognized research institutions, such as NASA, the
Mayo Clinic, or Salk Institute.
Avoid- older publications as science changes so rapidly over time, avoid personal webpages, or advertisements, as they
are more interested in selling their products and may have favored lab results more biased than a true scientist would.
6th Grade: Florida Science Fusion
Lesson 3: Scientific Investigations:
Essential Question:
Q:How do scientists work? (p.24)
A:
Vocabulary:
6.) Experiment- (Latin Root: experiri=to try)- is an organized procedure to study something under controlled
conditions. Those conducted in laboratories usually can control factors that can influence their results better
than out in the field.
7.) Observation-the process of obtaining information by using the senses.
8.) Hypothesis-is a testable idea or explanation that leads to scientific investigation.
9.) Variable-is any factor that can change in an experiment, observation, or model. When scientists plan
experiments, they try to change only one variable and keep all the other possible variables the same, or
constant. (in the case of our tadpoles this year, that was impossible; there were very MANY variables affecting
why one tank matured so much faster than the other!)
10.) Data-are information gathered by observation or experimentation that can be used in calculating or reasoning.
EVERYTHING a scientist observes in an investigation MUST BE RECORDED. The set-up and procedure must also
be recorded.
Q: What are some types of scientific investigations?: (pg.26)
A:
ExperimentsObservationsQ: What are some parts that make up scientific investigations?: (pg.28)
A:
Hypothesis
Variables
Observations and data
Q: What are some scientific methods?: (pg.30)
A:
*defining a problem
*forming a hypothesis and making predictions
*planning an investigation
*identifying variables
*collecting and organizing data
*interpreting data and analyzing information
*defending conclusions
Q: How are scientific methods used?: (pg.32)
A: Different situations require different methodsSome hypotheses can be tested only through observations
Some hypotheses must be tested in laboratory investigations
6th Grade: Florida Science Fusion
Q: What are some ways to confirm that an investigation is valid?: (pg.34)
A: Peer review – peers read what the scientist did and evaluate the methods used and conclusions reached.
A: Replication- If other scientists can repeat the investigation and duplicate the same answers, it supports the validity.
Q: How can you evaluate the quality of scientific information?: (pg.35)
A: use only trusted sources like scientific journals, university sites, books, magazines, newspapers, organizational
websites.