The Big Ideas
It is always a good idea to know what is expected of you. Our studies this year can be broken down into the 7 Big Ideas listed below. These are the Florida Science Standards that we will be working on. A link at the bottom of each Big Idea will take you to the Florida Science Benchmarks. These benchmarks provide greater detail on our learning objectives.
Big Idea 1: The Practice of Science
A: Scientific inquiry is a multifaceted activity; The processes of science include the formulation of scientifically investigable questions, construction of investigations into those questions, the collection of appropriate data, the evaluation of the meaning of those data, and the communication of this evaluation.
B: The processes of science frequently do not correspond to the traditional portrayal of “the scientific method.”
C: Scientific argumentation is a necessary part of scientific inquiry and plays an important role in the generation and validation of scientific knowledge.
D: Scientific knowledge is based on observation and inference; it is important to recognize that these are very different things. Not only does science require creativity in its methods and processes, but also in its questions and explanations.
(Review the specific benchmarks for Big Idea #1)
(Review Earth Science Litreracy #1)
(Classroom Presentation Big Idea 1)
Big Idea 2: Characteristics of Scientific Knowledge
A: Scientific knowledge is based on empirical evidence, and is appropriate for understanding the natural world, but it provides only a limited understanding of the supernatural, aesthetic, or other ways of knowing, such as art, philosophy, or religion.
B: Scientific knowledge is durable and robust, but open to change.
C: Because science is based on empirical evidence it strives for objectivity, but as it is a human endeavor the processes, methods, and knowledge of science include subjectivity, as well as creativity and discovery.
(Review the specific benchmarks for Big Idea #2)
Big Idea 3: Roles of Theories, Laws, Hypotheses, and Models
The terms that describe examples of scientific knowledge, for example; “theory,” “law,” “hypothesis,” and “model” have very specific meanings and functions within science.
(Review the specific benchmarks for Big Idea #3)
Big Idea 4: Application in Society
As tomorrows citizens, students should be able to identify issues about which society could provide input, formulate scientifically investigable questions about those issues, construct investigations of their questions, collect and evaluate data from their investigations, and develop scientific recommendations based upon their findings.
(Review the specific benchmarks for Big Idea #4)
Big Idea 5: Earth in Space and Time
The origin and eventual fate of the Universe still remains one of the greatest questions in science. Gravity and energy influence the formation of galaxies, including our own Milky Way Galaxy, stars, the planetary systems, and Earth. Humankind’s need to explore continues to lead to the development of knowledge and understanding of the nature of the Universe.
(Review the specific benchmarks for Big Idea #5)
Big Idea 6: Earth’s Structures
Over geologic time, internal and external sources of energy have continuously altered the features of Earth by means of both constructive and destructive forces. All life, including human civilization, is dependent on Earth’s internal and external energy and material resources.
(Review the specific benchmarks for Big Idea #6)
Big Idea 7: Earth Systems and Patterns
The scientific theory of the evolution of Earth states that changes in our planet are driven by the flow of energy and the cycling of matter through dynamic interactions among the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, geosphere, and biosphere, and the resources used to sustain human civilization on Earth.
(Review the specific benchmarks for Big Idea #7)
