Scientific and engineering practices. The student knows the contributions of scientists and recognizes the importance of scientific research and innovation for society.
Knowledge and Skills Statement
Further Explanation
The further explanation is designed to be a resource for educators that helps them better understand the topic their students are learning. Further explanations may be written at a more complex level than would be expected for students at the grade level.
Scientists work to explain the natural world and continuously make new scientific discoveries. This new knowledge impacts science and is used to develop new and refined explanations. Engineers develop solutions that improve how society interacts and functions with the natural world. As society changes, engineers innovate new solutions and improve previous solutions to meet society's needs.
Supporting Information
Research
Kruse, Jerrid, and Sarah Borzo. “People Behind the Science.” Science and Children 48, no. 4 (December 2010): 51–55. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43175414.
Summary: Students are more likely to be engaged and connected to the science curriculum when discussing historical stories of famous scientists and scientific discoveries. This article explains that students should be introduced to historical science figures and innovations using videos and short stories and encouraged to participate in more hands-on activities and discussions. It's important to discuss different types of scientists, how they work, and how they may work together to solve problems or make discoveries.