INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

FOR THE UTAH SECONDARY
CORE CURRICULUM IN SCIENCE

SUPPORTING GOALS: Students will:

1. Use Basic Science Process Skills

1. Make observations and measurements (uses instruments as appropriate).
2. Develop and use categories to classify observations.
3. Use reference sources to obtain information (library data bases, handbooks, encyclopedias, etc.)
4. Make estimations and predications based on observations and current knowledge.

2. Use Integrated Science Process Skills

1. Identify variables and describe relationships between them.
2. Formulate research questions and hypotheses.
3. Plan field studies, controlled experiments, and other investigations.
4. Collect and record data using procedures designed to minimize error.
5. Analyze data and draw warranted inferences.
6. Evaluate causal inferences in terms of the plausibility of rival explanations.
7. Construct models and simulations to describe and explain natural phenomena.

3. Manifest Scientific Attitudes and Interests

1. Maintain a sense of curiosity about natural phenomena.
2. Voluntarily read books and articles about science with understanding appropriate to grade level.
3. Maintain an open and questioning mind towards new ideas and alternative points of view.
4. Habitually seek and weigh evidence before drawing conclusions.
5. Reject pseudoscience as a valid source of scientific knowledge.

4. Demonstrate Awareness of the Social and Historical Aspects of Science

1. Understand that social and cultural forces have influenced the historical development of science.
2. Understand how technological advances have influenced the progress of science, and how science has influenced developments in technology.
3. Appreciate the challenges faced by scientists in the past and respect the contributions these men and women have made to advancing science and technology.
4. Recognize the personal relevance of science in daily life.
5. Respect the contributions of science to the quality of human life.
6. Recognize the interdependence of science, technology, and society.
7. Accept responsibility for actively helping to resolve social, ethical, and ecological problems related to science and technology.
8. Respect the contributions scientists make to informing public policy debates, but acknowledge that policy issues cannot be resolved by science alone because value issues must also be considered.

5. Understand Science Concepts, Principles, and Systems

1. Know science terminology appropriate to grade level.
2. Know basic science facts appropriate to grade level.
3. Understand science concepts and principles: 1. Distinguish between examples and non examples of each concept. 2. Explain science concepts and principles in own words. 3. Demonstrate scientific principles and phenomena.
4. Understand natural and human-produced systems in science (appropriate to grade level): 1. Explain how the parts of a system are interconnected and function together as a unit. 2. Predict how changes in one part of a system will likely affect the rest of the system.
5. Solve problems by applying science principles and procedures.

6. Communicate Effectively Using Science Language and Reasoning

1. Use the language and concepts of science as a means of thinking and communicating.
2. Prepare written and oral reports describing the findings of investigations and the reasoning which led to the conclusions.
3. Report results honestly. Avoid embellishing or exaggerating the results, and include a full description of any negative findings.
4. Construct tables, graphs, charts, diagrams, and models to describe and summarize data.
5. Provide relevant evidence to support inferences put forth to be accepted by others.
6. Present results of research in appropriate forums, and accept suggestions and reasoned criticism from qualified, external reviewers.
7. Evaluate the findings and conclusions reported by other investigators using relevant and defensible criteria.

7. Understand the Nature of Science

1. Understand that the goal of science is to produce a systematized body of knowledge consisting of concepts, theories, and generalizations that have explanatory and predictive power.
2. Distinguish between science and technology.
3. Understand that all science is based on observation of natural phenomena, but that all observations are influenced by the observers' prior knowledge, experience, and theoretical perspective.
4. Understand that knowledge claims in science are tentative and understand why the problems scientists investigate, the methods they use, and how they interpret evidence changes from time to time.
5. Recognize the vital need for creative thinking and imagination in designing and conducting scientific inquiries.
6. Distinguish between colloquial and scientific usage of the term theory and understand how theories are formed, tested, validated, and given provisional acceptance in science.
7. Recognize that scientists conduct their research within the context of different theoretical frameworks and understand that the framework selected tends to shape the method used.
8. Realize that science is a public activity and value the role of peer review and informed debate in assessing the credibility of competing interpretations.
9. Understand that what is accepted as "scientific truth" is determined by consensus among competent researchers within a scientific community.
10. Acknowledge the limitations inherent in scientific inquiry and know the kinds of questions that are neither asked nor answered.

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This document was submitted for posting to the Internet by the State Science Specialist. Any questions concerning content should be directed to that individual.

Updated January 15, 2000 by Elasha Morgan