STANDARD 5.1 (Scientific Processes) - All students will develop problem-solving, decision-making, and inquiry skills, reflected by formulating usable questions and hypotheses, planning experiments, conducting systematic observations, interpreting and analyzing data, drawing conclusions, and communicating results.

DESCRIPTIVE STATEMENT: Students best learn science by doing science.  Science is not merely a collection of facts and theories but a process, a way of thinking about and investigating the world in which we live.  This standard addresses those skills that are used by scientists as they discover and explain the physical universe — skills that are an essential and ongoing part of learning science.

CUMULATIVE PROGRESS INDICATORS:  Building upon knowledge and skills gained in the preceding grades, by the end of Grade 12, students will...

1. Habits of Mind
   1. When making decisions, evaluate conclusions, weigh evidence, and recognize that arguments may not have equal merit.
   2. Assess the risks and benefits associated with alternative solutions.
   3. Engage in collaboration, peer review, and accurate reporting of findings.
   4. Explore cases that demonstrate the interdisciplinary nature of the scientific enterprise.
2. Inquiry and Problem Solving
   1. Select and use appropriate instrumentation to design and conduct investigations.
   2. Show that experimental results can lead to new questions and further investigations.
3. Safety
   1. Understand, evaluate and practice safe procedures for conducting science investigations.