Standard #: SC.6.N.1.3


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Explain the difference between an experiment and other types of scientific investigation, and explain the relative benefits and limitations of each.


General Information

Subject Area: Science
Grade: 6
Body of Knowledge: Nature of Science
Big Idea: 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.

Date Adopted or Revised: 02/08
Date of Last Rating: 05/08
Status: State Board Approved
Assessed: Yes

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2002050: M/J Comprehensive Science 1, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
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Related Access Points

Access Point Number Access Point Title
SC.6.N.1.In.3 Identify that scientists can use different kinds of experiments, methods, and explanations to find answers to scientific questions.
SC.6.N.1.Su.3 Recognize that scientists perform experiments, make observations, and gather evidence to answer scientific questions.
SC.6.N.1.Pa.3 Recognize that people conduct activities and share information about science.


Related Resources

Lesson Plans

Name Description
Sea Ice Analysis Grade 6

The changing climate is an important topic for both scientific analysis and worldly knowledge. This lesson uses data collected by the National Snow and Ice Data Center to create and use statistical analysis as a tool to evaluate the mean and variation from the mean of sea ice loss.

More Than One Way, Scientific Investigations

Students will compare and contrast two short articles to learn that scientific investigations are not always controlled experiments and that the traditional scientific method is not always appropriate or most effective for understanding the natural world. Later in the lesson, students will choose their own article and reflect on the scientific methods used in that scientific investigation.

An Inquiry into Albedo, Land Surface and AirTemperture

This lesson is designed to provide a hands on inquiry on Sphere Interactions by investigating the relationship between Surface Albedo and Atmospheric Temperature. In this activity, students will develop an Argument Driven Inquiry (ADI) with the Guiding question: "What is the relationship between the land surface Albedo and Atmospheric Temperature?"

Investigation vs. Experiment

This lesson explains and demonstrates the difference between an investigation and an experiment. This lesson includes teacher presentation and hands-on activities that will keep your students engaged. This lesson is very interactive and can be spread over several day. Each student should be recording their own individual data to simply get used to the process of collecting data. However the teacher can decide if the students will work in groups for the Final presentation. This lesson can lead into lessons for the following benchmarks:
SC.6.N.1.2 Explain why scientific investigations should be replicable SC.6.N.1.4 Discuss, compare, and negotiate methods used, results obtained, and explanations among groups of students conducting the same investigation.

Circulatory System Lesson

The lesson will begin with the teacher engaging the students with a presentation of "How the Blood Gets Around the Body" following a think quest presentation that covers the parts and functions of the circulatory system, including the brain, veins and arteries, heart and blood. Students will explore blood vessels by watching a short video clip, conducting a hands-on investigation about blood pressure. Next the teacher will lead a discussion and explain about the human heart and will use a "Map of the Human Heart" to show the class exactly how the heart pumps blood throughout your body and learn facts about the human heart. Students will get a chance to elaborate by creating a color picture of blood flow to, through and from the heart in their notebooks. To evaluate the students, they will watch a short video clip about the circulatory system and take the accompanying quiz.

Experiences and Experiments - There is a Difference Students have had many experiences in science and have participated in and designed simple investigations. This lesson directs students in identifying the steps of experimentation. While microorganisms are the topic and the subject of the experimentation, the emphasis and learning should center on scientific steps and processes of scientific experiments.

Designing and conducting an experiment involves an integration or combining of science process skills.

Original Student Tutorial

Name Description
Let's Investigate!

Investigate the benefits and limitations of experiments, observational studies, and comparative studies with this interactive tutorial.

Student Resources

Original Student Tutorial

Name Description
Let's Investigate!:

Investigate the benefits and limitations of experiments, observational studies, and comparative studies with this interactive tutorial.



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