Scientific Investigation, Reasoning, and Logic

Experimental Design

• 4.1 The student will plan and conduct investigations in which
• a) distinctions are made among observations, conclusions, inferences, and predictions;
• b) hypotheses are formulated based on cause and effect relationships;
• c) variables that must be held constant in an experimental situation are defined;
• d) appropriate instruments are selected to measure linear distance, volume, mass, and temperature;
• e) appropriate metric measures are used to collect, record, and report data;
• f) data are displayed using bar and basic line graphs;
• g) numerical data that are contradictory or unusual in experimental results are recognized; and
• h) predictions are made based on data from picture graphs, bar graphs, and basic line graphs.

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Force, Motion, and Energy

Simple Machines

• 4.2 The student will investigate and understand characteristics and interaction of moving objects. Key concepts include
• a) motion is described by an object’s direction and speed;
• b) forces cause changes in motion;
• c) friction is a force that opposes motion; and
• d) moving objects have kinetic energy.

Magnetism and Electricity

• 4.3 The student will investigate and understand the characteristics of electricity. Key concepts include
• a) conductors and insulators;
• b) basic circuits (open/closed, parallel/series);
• c) static electricity;
• d) the ability of electrical energy to be transformed into heat, light, and mechanical energy;
• e) simple electromagnets and magnetism: and
• f) historical contributions in understanding electricity.

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Life Processes

Fast Plants

• 4.4 The student will investigate and understand basic plant anatomy and life processes. Key concepts include
• a) the structures of typical plants (leaves, stems, roots, and flowers);
• b) processes and structures involved with reproduction (pollination, stamen, pistil, sepal, embryo, spore, and seed);
• c) photosynthesis (sunlight, chlorophyll, water, carbon dioxide, oxygen, and sugar); and
• d) dormancy.

Interrelationships in Earth/Space Systems

Weather

• 4.6 The student will investigate and understand how weather conditions and phenomena occur and can be predicted. Key concepts include
• a) weather measurements and meteorological tools (air pressure-barometer, wind speed-anemometer, rainfall-rain gauge, and temperature-thermometer); and
• b) weather phenomena (fronts, clouds, and storms).

Earth Patterns, Cycles, and Change

Sun and Its Neighbors

• 4.7 The student will investigate and understand the relationships among the Earth, moon, and sun. Key concepts include
• a) the motions of the Earth, moon, and sun (revolution and rotation);
• b) the causes for the Earth’s seasons and phases of the moon;
• c) the relative size, position, age, and makeup of the Earth, moon, and sun; and
• d) historical contributions in understanding the Earth-moon-sun system.

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