Government Funding for STEM Programs
high quality of life
A desirable standard of living
Scientific Method
A model that teaches students to think and act like scientists
Inquiry cycle
A process of asking questions, investigating, and drawing conclusions
Driving question
A thought-provoking and purposeful question that directs students towards the end goal of a project-based learning unit
Guided-inquiry
An inquiry approach where students are given some guidance or structure in their investigation
Limited-inquiry
An inquiry approach where students are provided with specific questions or problems to investigate
Open-inquiry
An inquiry approach where students have complete freedom to investigate a question or problem
Patterns
Behavior of CCCs involving identifying regularities or trends in data
Systems & System Models
Behavior of CCCs involving understanding the components and interactions within a system
Stability & Change
Behavior of CCCs involving understanding the constancy or variability of systems over time
Cause & Effect
Behavior of CCCs involving understanding the relationship between actions and outcomes
Structure & Function
Behavior of CCCs involving understanding the relationship between form and purpose
Scale, Proportion & Quantity
Behavior of CCCs involving understanding the relative size or amount of objects or phenomena
Energy & Matter
Behavior of CCCs involving understanding the transfer or transformation of energy and matter
Developing & Using Models
Behavior of SEPs involving creating and utilizing representations of scientific phenomena
Planning & Carrying Out Investigations
Behavior of SEPs involving designing and conducting experiments
Constructing Explanations & Designing Solutions
Behavior of SEPs involving developing and communicating scientific explanations or solutions to problems
Asking Questions & Defining Models
Behavior of SEPs involving inquiry and conceptualization
Analyzing & Interpreting Data
Behavior of SEPs involving processing and making sense of experimental results
Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs)
Behaviors scientists engage in as they investigate and build models and theories about the natural world
Engineering, Technology & Applications of Science
Branch of science that applies scientific knowledge to design and create solutions
Life Science
Branch of science that studies living organisms and their interactions
Physical Science
Branch of science that studies matter and energy
Earth & Space Science
Branch of science that studies the Earth, its atmosphere, and the universe
Next Generation Science Standards
Framework for K-12 science education in the United States
STEM programs
Government-funded programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
technological innovations
New or improved methods, processes, products, or services resulting from scientific knowledge
national security
Protection of a nation's citizens, institutions, and resources
Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs)
Science content/information; science topic
Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs)
Skills that show how all domains of science are linked to each other
Inquiry-based learning
Student-centered learning that allows students to explore through real-world experiences and problem-solving
Communication skills
The ability to convey information effectively and efficiently
Problem-solving skills
The ability to find solutions to complex or difficult issues
Creativity
The ability to generate new ideas, concepts, or solutions
Critical thinking
The objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment
Explore
The phase of the 5E model where students actively investigate a scientific problem or phenomenon
Evaluate
The phase of the 5E model where students demonstrate their understanding and receive feedback
Elaborate
The phase of the 5E model where students expand on their understanding through discussion and application
Engage
The phase of the 5E model where the teacher introduces a new science concept and piques student interest
Explain
The phase of the 5E model where the teacher presents and facilitates the new skill or information
Argumentation
The process of constructing and defending claims based on evidence and reasoning
Performance Expectation
What students are expected to know at the end of a unit or lesson
Lesson objective
What the teacher wants students to have learned and achieved by the end of a lesson
