Science Exit Goals for 4^th Grade

Understand the processes of scientific inquiry and technological design to investigate questions, conduct experiments and solve problems. (Goal 11)

·          Know and apply the concepts, principles and processes of scientific inquiry.    Formulate questions on a specific science topic and begin to design the steps needed to answer the questions.  Construct charts and visualization to display data.  Use data to produce reasonable explanations.  Display and report the results of individual and group investigations.   

·          Know and apply the concepts, principles and processes of technological design.  Identify a design problem and propose possible solutions.  Design a device that will be useful in solving the problem.  Build a device using materials and tools provided.  Test the device, record and discuss.  Assess the effectiveness of the design using given criteria and noting possible problems.  Report the design of the device, the test process and the results in solving a given problem through discussion.

Understand the fundamental concepts, principles and interconnections of the life, physical and earth/space sciences. (Goal 12)

·          Know and apply concepts that describe how living things interact with each other and with their environment.  Describe how organisms maintain life and grow.  Explain that reproduction is necessary for a species to continue. 

·          Know and apply concepts that describe how living things interact with each other and with their environment.  Explain that an ecosystem is made up of living things that interact with each other and with nonliving things.  Identify physical features or adaptations of plants and animals that help them to survive in different environments.   

·          Know and apply concepts that describe properties of mater and energy and the interactions between them.     

·          Know and apply concepts that describe force and motion and the principles that explain them.  Explain that forms of motion, a change in object’s position over time, includes straight-line zigzag, and circular.  Demonstrate and explain that an object’s motion only changes if the object is pushed or pulled; every push or pull is opposed by a push or pull in the opposite direction.     

·          Know and apply concepts that describe the features and processes of the Earth and its resources.    Describe and explain how ecosystems can change naturally through short-term and long-term interactions of the Earth’s components.  Explain that ecosystems supply living things with the energy and materials they need for survival.  Identify and classify recyclable materials. 

·          Know and apply concepts that explain the composition and structure of the universe and Earth’s place in it.

Understand the relationships among science, technology and society in historical and contemporary contexts.  (Goal 13)

·          Know and apply the accepted practices of science.  Demonstrate ways to avoid injury when conducting science activities.  Explain why similar investigations may not produce similar results.  Explain how knowledge can be gained by careful observation.

·          Know and apply concepts that describe the interaction between science, technology and society.  Explain how technology is used in science for a variety of purposes.  Describe the effects on society of scientific and technological innovations.  Identify and explain ways that science and technology influence the lives and careers of people.  Demonstrate ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle materials.  Identify and explain ways that technology changes through the activities of humans.  Analyze how specific personal and societal choices that humans make affect local, regional, and global ecosystems.