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Identify an instance from the history of science in which scientific knowledge has changed when new evidence or new interpretations are encountered.
Standard #: SC.7.N.2.1
Standard Information
General Information
Subject Area: Science
Grade: 7
Body of Knowledge: Nature of Science
Idea: Level 1: Recall
Big Idea: The 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.
Date Adopted or Revised: 02/08
Content Complexity Rating: Level 1: Recall - More Information
Date of Last Rating: 05/08
Status: State Board Approved
Assessed: Yes
Related Courses
Related Access Points
  • SC.7.N.2.In.1 # Identify an example of a change in scientific knowledge based on new evidence or new interpretations.
  • SC.7.N.2.Su.1 # Recognize an example of a change in scientific knowledge based on new evidence.
  • SC.7.N.2.Pa.1 # Recognize information related to science.
Related Resources
Lesson Plans
  • History of Medicine: Progress from Ancient Times # Using the case study, “History of Medicine,” students will be introduced to ancient medical practices in prehistory, as a starting point for the evolution of medical practices. Through this activity, students will explore beliefs and practices in 7 additional time periods (ancient Egypt to the European Renaissance).
  • Leaders & Discoveries in the History of Medicine # Using the case study, "History of Medicine," students will research historical figures in the history of medicine to discover their impact on modern medicine.
  • Fish with a See-Through Head # Students read an interesting article about a fish with a see-through head to help them think about traits that are beneficial in a certain environment (adaptation). They also consider how improved observations lead to more sophisticated science ideas.
  • Fossil DNA # This is a lesson designed to help students explain that scientific knowledge is durable because it is open to change as new evidence or interpretations are encountered and site examples from the article that support that the history of science has changed due to new evidence or new interpretations being encountered through reading nonfiction text. This lesson follows the Comprehension Instructional Sequence (CIS) Model through a 5E lesson plan.
  • Survival Journal Part Two: Outdoor Gardening # In this lesson, students will design two outdoor gardens, 1) a raised garden bed and 2) a ground level garden (traditional). Students will, with help of the teacher, till the ground with removal of ground cover, build border for garden, add soil, attach poles with string to create a life size graph all so they can grow tomatoes and plot the data easily in their survival journals.This is Part 2 of a 4-Part Project on Survival.
Original Student Tutorial
  • Scientific Knowledge Changes # Learn how scientific knowledge can change when new evidence is discovered or new ideas are developed. In this interactive tutorial, you'll look at some famous example from the history of science, including the cell theory and the theory of plate tectonics.
Presentation/Slideshow
  • What is Science? # Resource provides a succinct overview of the nature of science; what science is and is not. Information includes the aims of scientific pursuits, principles, process and thinking.
Original Student Tutorials Science - Grades K-8
  • Scientific Knowledge Changes # Learn how scientific knowledge can change when new evidence is discovered or new ideas are developed. In this interactive tutorial, you'll look at some famous example from the history of science, including the cell theory and the theory of plate tectonics.
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