Scientific and Engineering Practices
Scientific inquiry is the planned and deliberate investigation of the natural world using scientific and engineering practices. Scientific methods of investigation are descriptive, comparative, or experimental. The method chosen should be appropriate to the grade level and question being asked. Student learning for different types of investigations include descriptive investigations, which involve collecting data and recording observations without making comparisons; comparative investigations, which involve collecting data with variables that are manipulated to compare results; and experimental investigations, which involve processes similar to comparative investigations but in which a control is identified.
(i) Scientific practices. Students ask questions, plan and conduct investigations to answer questions, and explain phenomena using appropriate tools and models.
(ii) Engineering practices. Students identify problems and design solutions using appropriate tools and models.
(iii) To support instruction in the science content standards, it is recommended that districts integrate scientific and engineering practices through classroom and outdoor investigations for at least 80% of instructional time.
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Balloon Rocket - Experiment
A hands-on experiment to use when investigating how energy can make things move.
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What is a Scientist? Worksheet Pack
Help your students learn what a scientist is and what scientists do with a set of printable science worksheets for primary grades/
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What Do Scientists Do? Teaching Slides
Discover what scientists do, the tools they use, and more with our 'What Do Scientists Do?' Teaching Presentation.
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Build a Pirate Ship - STEM Design Challenge (1-2)
Challenge your first and second graders to build a pirate ship with a STEM design challenge.
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Weather Word Wall Vocabulary
Use this teacher-created weather resource to teach weather vocabulary. Build a word wall with your students during your weather lessons.
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Science Sparks - 1st Grade Science Activities for Fast Finishers
Grow your students’ scientific understanding during classroom downtime with Science Sparks, a collection of 1st grade science activities for fast finishers.
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Outdoor STEM Activities Resource Pack
Take your STEM lessons outside with our printable Outdoor STEM Activities Resource Pack.
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Making Scientific Observations Worksheets
Use this set of two worksheets to help your students record their own observations during science experiments and projects.
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What is S.T.E.A.M. Education? Teaching Slides
Introduce your students to the world of STEAM Education with our 'What is STEAM Education? Teaching Presentation.
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Making a Prediction in Science Worksheets (Differentiated)
Introduce your students to making predictions in science with a set of differentiated Scientific Prediction Worksheets.
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Starting a Scientific Investigation Worksheet
Help students begin the process of a scientific investigation with an introduction to the scientific method activity sheet.
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Spacecraft Design Task - STEM Project (Grades 1-3)
Implement STEM Education in the classroom with an exciting 'Build a Spacecraft' STEM Project for first through third grade students.
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Scientific Method - Scientist Poster Pack (K-1)
Help your little learners understand the scientific method with a set of ‘What Do Scientists Do? Kindergarten Science Posters.
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Exploring the Scientific Method Teaching Slides - Lower Grades
Complete your introductory scientific method lesson plan with a ready-made Scientific Method Teaching Presentation!
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STEAM Challenges - Task Cards for 1st and 2nd Grade
Use our easy STEAM Challenges to inspire problem solving and creative thinking in your 1st and 2nd Grade classrooms.
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The Scientific Method Poster - Lower Grades
Teach the five steps of the scientific method to younger students with a Scientific Method Poster.
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Animal Blubber Experiment - Polar Adaptations Activity
Explores the structural adaptation of blubber with an Arctic Animal Adaptation experiment..
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Christmas Science Experiments
Perform Christmas Science Experiments and teach your students about the scientific method with a set of two printable Christmas Science activities.
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Bean Growth Experiment
“Grow” your students’ knowledge of plant life cycles with a plant growth experiment.
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Creating Oxygen - Experiment
Investigate how oxygen is made with a hands on plant experiment.
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Natural, Managed, and Human-Made Features Posters
Identify the natural, manmade, and managed features of environments with printable anchor charts.
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Building Leprechaun Traps - Kindergarten STEM Project
Complete a Leprechaun Trap School project with printable Leprechaun Trap STEM worksheets for Kindergarten and 1st grade.
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International Dot Day STEM Challenge Task Cards
Integrate science, engineering, and art with a set of International Dot Day STEM task cards.
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Build a Crayon Box – STEM Activity
Foster critical thinking and problem solving with this back to school STEM activity.
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Playdough STEM Challenge – Task Cards
Use this set of STEM challenge cards to foster critical thinking and problem-solving by building various items with playdough.
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End of Year STEM Challenge
Use critical thinking and problem-solving skills with this set of STEM challenge cards.
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Changes I Can See - Worksheet
A worksheet that explores changes to observable features of the environment.
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Science Experiment - Will It Change?
A science investigation in which the students observe changes that occur to various objects over time.
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Science Experiment - Keep Me Dry
A science experiment that explores the absorptive properties of materials.
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Do You See What I See? - Worksheet
A worksheet that explores how features of a local environment may change.
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Natural, Managed, and Constructed Environments PowerPoint
Explore some of the features of environments with this 17-slide teaching deck.
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Nature Walk Senses Worksheet
Encourage children to listen, smell, look, and feel during a nature walk with this graphic organizer!