Introduction to Science

The science standards for Washington State are called the Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs). The science standards describe what all hard working, well-taught students should know and be able to do by grade 10. The measurement of these standards is currently accomplished through the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) in science. The science standards are organized into three themes: systems, inquiry, and designing solutions to human problems.

Systems : The essential concepts and principles of the physical, earth, space, and life sciences are organized and interwoven by the theme of systems . Students connect these systems with the understanding of inputs, outputs, and transfers of matter, energy, and information. What science has learned about the universe is described as the properties, structure, and changes in systems.

Inquiry : The knowledge and skills necessary to investigate systems are focused upon scientific inquiry . Students ask questions and plan valid scientific investigations to answer their questions. In addition, students demonstrate an understanding of the nature of science inquiry.

Design: The knowledge and skills of science are applied by designing solutions to human problems or challenges. Students use design processes to develop and test scientific solutions to these problems. In addition, students recognize that science and technology are human endeavors, interrelated to each other, to society, and to the workplace.

Introduction to Science " The important thing is to not stop questioning" Albert Einstein

Learning in science depends on actively doing science. Active engagement in hands-on, minds-on science learning experiences enables students to make personal sense of the physical world and to solve problems. Toward these ends, the Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs) for science were developed based on the following set of guiding principles.

1. All students should be expected to attain satisfactory achievement and performance on all Essential Academic Learning Requirements.

2. All students should have access to a carefully articulated science program each year in kindergarten through tenth grade with opportunities for continued study in grades 11 and 12.

3. All students should receive quality feedback about their performance and achievement in science on a continuous basis.

4. All students, regardless of gender, cultural or ethnic background, physical or learning disabilities, aspirations, or interest and motivation in science, should have the opportunity to attain scientific literacy.

5. All students should have access to effective and appropriate teaching from well-trained teachers who are supported with high quality instructional resources.

If all students attain mastery of the following Essential Academic Learning Requirements for science, Washington State will be much closer to attaining the national goal of being the first in the world in science achievement and performance. The Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) in science will be one measure of student mastery.

1: Systems The student understands and uses scientific concepts and principles to understand systems.

1.1 Properties of Systems (PR, red): Use properties to identify, describe, and categorize substances, materials, and objects, and use characteristics to categorize living things.

1.2 Structure of Systems (ST, orange): Recognize the components, structure, and organization of systems and the interconnections within and among them.

1.3 Changes in Systems (CH, yellow): Understand how interactions within and among systems cause changes in matter and energy.

2. Inquiry: The student knows and applies the skills, processes, and nature of scientific inquiry.

(IN, green)

2.1 Investigation Systems: Develop the knowledge and skills necessary to do scientific inquiry.

2.2 Nature of Science: Understand the nature of scientific inquiry.

3. Design: The student knows and applies the design process to develop solutions to human problems

in societal contexts. (DE, blue)

3.1 Designing Solutions: Apply design processes to develop solutions to human problems or meet challenges using the knowledge and skills of science and technology.

3.2 Science, Technology, and Society: Know that science and technology are human endeavors, interrelated to each other, to society, and to the workplace.

RED

ORANGE

YELLOW

GREEN

BLUE

2003 Refinement pending approval page 18 of 18 July 10, 2003

Published by OSPI Science Assessment