SC.912.N.3.4

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Recognize that theories do not become laws, nor do laws become theories; theories are well supported explanations and laws are well supported descriptions.
General Information
Subject Area: Science
Grade: 912
Body of Knowledge: Nature of Science
Idea: Level 2: Basic Application of Skills & Concepts
Standard: The Role 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.
Date Adopted or Revised: 02/08
Content Complexity Rating: Level 2: Basic Application of Skills & Concepts - More Information
Date of Last Rating: 05/08
Status: State Board Approved

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This benchmark is part of these courses.
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Related Access Points

Alternate version of this benchmark for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
SC.912.N.3.In.1: Recognize that a scientific theory is developed by repeated investigations of many scientists and agreement on the likely explanation.
SC.912.N.3.Su.1: Recognize that scientific theories are supported by evidence and agreement of many scientists.
SC.912.N.3.Pa.1: Recognize examples of cause-effect descriptions or explanations related to science.
SC.912.N.3.In.2: Identify examples of scientific laws that describe relationships in the natural world, such as Newton’s laws.
SC.912.N.3.Su.2: Recognize examples of scientific laws that describe relationships in nature, such as Newton’s laws.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Lesson Plans

So That's How Theories Are Made!:

In this lesson, students will discover how scientific theories are developed through the use of hands-on activities. Students are self-guided through the steps of theory development and provided with scaffolded questions to accomplish the learning goal. At the end of this lesson, students should understand the process of theory development and acknowledge that although scientific theories and scientific laws are both created from observations, they are not interchangeable. This lesson was designed to follow the CPALMS lesson "Discovering the Difference Between Scientific Laws and Theories."

Type: Lesson Plan

Discovering the Difference between Scientific Laws and Theories:

This is an introductory lesson to Scientific Laws and Theories. At the completion of this lesson students should have a firm understanding of what constitutes a law vs what constitutes a theory, how they are different, and what they have in common. Students will also be able to classify laws and theories based on their own understanding of their definitions. This lesson consists of several activities including a KWL Chart, Venn Diagram, and an Assessment. This lesson should be followed by the CPALMS lesson "So That's How Theories Are Made!" (Resource ID 154112).

Type: Lesson Plan

Original Student Tutorial

Scientific Laws and Theories:

Learn what scientific laws and scientific theories are and how they are different from what we commonly call laws and theories outside of science with this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Original Student Tutorials Science - Grades 9-12

Scientific Laws and Theories:

Learn what scientific laws and scientific theories are and how they are different from what we commonly call laws and theories outside of science with this interactive tutorial.

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Original Student Tutorial

Scientific Laws and Theories:

Learn what scientific laws and scientific theories are and how they are different from what we commonly call laws and theories outside of science with this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.