7th Grade Science

Nature of Science

In this introductory unit, scholars will explore scientific methods and habits of mind, building on ideas introduced in grade six. In addition, the knowledge and skills developed in this unit will be reinforced during the rest of the course in the context of specific concepts in earth, life, and physical sciences, in order to allow students to achieve proficiency in the focus benchmarks. More specifically, this unit will prepare scholars in modeling scientific thinking, inquiry and experimentation, through the practice and manipulation of scientific skills and knowledge to answer testable questions. Focus content in this unit include bust isn’t limited to: Lab equipment and safety, Measurements, Scientific Methods, Graphing, Scientific Theories/Laws and Experimentation.

 

Stadards: 

• SC.7.N.1.1 Define a problem from the seventh grade curriculum, use appropriate reference materials to support scientific understanding, plan and carry out scientific investigation of various types, such as systematic observations or experiments, identify variables, collect and organize data, interpret data in charts, tables, and graphics, analyze information, make predictions, and defend conclusions.

• SC.7.N.1.3 Distinguish between an experiment (which must involve the identification and control of variables) and other forms of scientific investigation and explain that not all scientific knowledge is derived from experimentation.

• SC.7.N.1.4 Identify test variables (independent variables) and outcome variables (dependent variables in an experiment

• SC.7.N.1.5 Describe the methods used in pursuit of a scientific explanation as seen in different fields of science such as biology, geology, and physics.

• SC.7.N.1.6 Explain that empirical evidence is the cumulative body of observations of a natural phenomenon on which scientific explanations are based.

 

Skills:

• Demonstrate appropriate safety practices in the classroom

• Identify variables

• Evaluate a scientific investigation using evidence