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Benchmarks for Scientific Literacy (Project 2061)

The EMS materials are aligned with the following Benchmarks:

The Nature of Science

• Scientific knowledge is subject to modification as new information challenges prevailing theories and as a new theory leads to looking at old observations in a new way.
  1A/6-8/#2 [Chapter 1, Section A, Grades 6-8, Benchmark #2]

• Scientists assume that the universe is a vast single system in which the basic rules are the same everywhere.
  1A/9-12/#1

• No matter how well one theory fits observations, a new theory might fit them just as well or better, or might fit a wider range of observations. In science, the testing, revising, and occasional discarding of theories, old and new, never ends. This ongoing process leads to an increasingly better understanding of how things work in the world but not to absolute truth. Evidence for the value of this approach is given by the improving ability of scientists to offer reliable explanations and make accurate predictions.
  1A/9-12/#3

• Sometimes, scientists can control conditions in order to obtain evidence. When that is not possible for practical or ethical reasons, they try to observe as wide a range of natural occurrences as possible to be able to discern patterns.
  1B/9-12/#3

• In the long run, theories are judged by how they fit with other theories, the range of observations they explain, how well they explain observations, and how effective they are in predicting new findings.
  1B/9-12/#6 partial

The Physical Setting

• Because the earth turns daily on an axis that is tilted relative to the plane of the earth’s yearly orbit around the sun, sunlight falls more intensely on different parts of the earth during the year. The difference in heating of the earth’s surface produces the planet’s seasons and weather patterns.
  4B/6-8/#4

• The moon’s orbit around the earth once in about 28 days changes what part of the moon is lighted by the sun and how much of that part can be seen from the earth–the phases of the moon.
  4B/6-8/#5

• Like all planets and stars, the earth is approximately spherical in shape. The rotation of the earth on its axis every 24 hours produces the night-and-day cycle. To people on earth, this turning of the planet makes it seem as though the sun, moon, planets, and stars are orbiting the earth once a day.
  4B/3-5/#2

• All motion is relative to whatever frame of reference is chosen, for there is no motionless frame from which to judge all motion.
  4F/9-12/#2

Historical Perspectives

• The motion of an object is always judged with respect to some other object or point and so the idea of absolute motion or rest is misleading.
  10A/6-8/#1

Habits of Mind

• Know that often different explanations can be given for the same evidence, and it is not always possible to tell which one is correct.
  12A/6-8/#3

• Participate in group discussions on scientific topics by restating or summarizing accurately what others have said, asking for clarification or elaboration, and expressing alternative positions.
  12D/9-12/#6

• Use tables, charts, and graphs in making arguments and claims in oral and written presentations.
  12D/9-12/#7

• Be aware that there may be more than one good way to interpret a given set of findings.
  12E/6-8/#4

• Suggest alternative ways of explaining data and criticize arguments in which data, explanations, or conclusions are represented as the only ones worth consideration, with no mention of other possibilities.
  12E/9-12/#6 partial

Benchmarks Reinforced in this Curriculum:

• Something can be "seen" when light waves emitted or reflected by it enter the eye.
  4F/6-8/#2 partial

• In the absence of retarding forces such as friction, an object will keep its direction of motion and its speed. Whenever an object is seen to speed up, slow down, or change direction, it can be assumed that an unbalanced force is acting on it.
  4F/6-8/#3

• Read simple tables and graphs produced by others and describe in words what they show.
  12D/6-8/#2

• Organize information in simple tables and graphs and identify relationships they reveal.
  12D/6-8/#1

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