Outcomes

Part 1: Science as a Way of Knowing (Science Methods)

Outcome 1A

Describe the essential attributes of the scientific way of knowing and compare and contrast the scientific and popular meanings of "hypotheses" and "theories."

Selected Examples of Evidence

Quiz
Exam
Interview
Worksheet
Debate
Paper
Popular press review
Role play
Write a story that explains the difference

Criteria and Standards

Criterion: Accuracy

Standard for Achieving the Outcome
Accuracy: The terms are always used correctly in selected evidence.

We define the scientific definitions as the following:
Hypothesis: An unsubstantiated, testable, explanation for an observation
Theory: An explanation for a certain group of facts that is well substantiated by considerable scientific research.
Examples of popular usage are:
Hypothesis: A guess
Theory: A guess

Outcome 1B

Use the scientific method of inquiry and standard scientific techniques to answer questions about physical, biological or social processes.

Selected Examples of Evidence

Criteria and Standards

Criteria: Appropriate, Complete, Accurate, Critical

Standards for Achieving the Outcome

Appropriate: Methods and techniques are consistently matched to the question and hypotheses. For example, dry weight is often a more appropriate measure of plant growth than height.

Complete: A thorough description of method or technique, clear representation of data, discussion and interpretation of results.

Accurate: Mostly free from errors. Mostly correct use of terms.

Critical: Skeptical reflection. For example, questioning experimental design, data acquisition, data collection and analysis, sources of error. The conclusion logically follows from the data.

Outcome 1C

Explain how peer review contributes to the reliability of scientific knowledge.

Selected Examples of Evidence

Essay examination
Debate pros and cons of peer review
Story about the peer review process
Lesson plan incorporating peer review
Poster presenting a model of the peer review process

Criteria and Standards

Criteria: Accurate, Analytical, Critical

Standards for Achieving the Outcome

Accurate: Describes peer review process as it is practiced by the scientific community.

Analytical: Contrasts peer reviewed scientific process with other kinds of peer review processes.

Critical: Understand how the scientific peer review process supports the production of scientific knowledge.

Outcome 1D

Locate and use scientific information about one of those issues (outcome 2B) from five sources, including at least two peer-reviewed journals, and identify the bias and qualifications of each source.

Selected Examples of Evidence

Criteria and Standards

Criteria: Relevant, Accurate, Critical

Standards for Achieving the Outcome

Relevant: Cited information directly relates to chosen issue.
Accurate: Correctlyidentifies the scientific findings as intended by the author/researcher.
Critical: Identifies bias, perspective, and qualifications of the source in each of these articles and supports claim with information from the article.

Part 2: Integrative Science Content

Outcome 2A

Explain at least five physical science concepts or principles and at least five life science concepts or principles.

Selected Examples of Evidence

Criteria and Standards

Criteria: Accurate, Clear

Standards for Achieving the Outcome

Accurate: Explanations are nearly free from conceptual error.

Clear: Explanations are understandable to a peer.

Outcome 2B

Identify and integrate physical and life scientific facets of two contemporary controversial issues: one local (e.g. Salinas Valley) and one global.

Selected Examples of Evidence

Criteria and Standards

Criteria: Accurate, Appropriate

Standards for Achieving the Outcome

Appropriate: Identifies relevant and significant scientific principles.

Accurate: Correctly describes the scientific principles and characterizes interactions between both physical and life science components.