SCIENCE COMPETENCIES SCHOOL DISTRICT #57
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The Secondary Science Competencies Continuum

Questioning and Predicting
Grade 7, Grade 8 Grade 9, Grade 10 Grade 11, Grade 12
Demonstrate a sustained intellectual curiosity about a scientific topic or problem of personal interest Demonstrate a sustained intellectual curiosity about a scientific topic or problem of personal interest Demonstrate a sustained intellectual curiosity about a scientific topic or problem of personal interest
Make observations aimed at identifying their own questions about the natural world Make observations aimed at identifying their own questions about the natural world Make observations aimed at identifying their own questions about the natural world
Identify a question to answer or a problem to solve through scientific inquiry Formulate multiple hypotheses and predict multiple outcomes Formulate multiple hypotheses and predict multiple outcomes
Formulate alternative “If…then…” hypotheses based on their questions    
Make predictions about the findings of their inquiry    

 

Planning and Conducting
Grade 7, Grade 8 Grade 9, Grade 10 Grade 11, Grade 12
Collaboratively plan a range of investigation types, including field work and experiments, to answer their questions or solve problems they have identified Collaboratively and individually plan, select, and use appropriate investigation methods, including field work and lab experiments, to collect reliable data (qualitative and quantitative) Collaboratively and individually plan, select, and use appropriate investigation methods, including field work and lab experiments, to collect reliable data (qualitative and quantitative)
Measure and control variables (dependent and independent) through fair tests Assess risks and address ethical, cultural and/or environmental issues associated with their proposed methods and those of others Assess risks and address ethical, cultural and/or environmental issues associated with their proposed methods
Observe, measure, and record data (qualitative and quantitative), using equipment, including digital technologies, with accuracy and precision Select and use appropriate equipment, including digital technologies, to systematically and accurately collect and record data Use appropriate SI units and appropriate equipment, including digital technologies, to systematically and accurately collect and record data
Ensure that safety and ethical guidelines are followed in their investigations Ensure that safety and ethical guidelines are followed in their investigations Apply the concepts of accuracy and precision to experimental procedures and data (significant figures, uncertainty, scientific notation)
Use appropriate SI units and perform simple unit conversions    

 

Processing and Analyzing Data and Information
Grade 7, Grade 8 Grade 9, Grade 10 Grade 11, Grade 12
Experience and interpret the local environment Experience and interpret the local environment Experience and interpret the local environment
Apply First Peoples perspecitves and knowledge, other ways of knowing, and local knowledge as source of information Apply First Peoples perspectives and knowledge, other ways of knowing, and local knowledge as source of information Apply First Peoples perspecitves and knowledge, other ways of knowing, and local knowledge as source of information
Construct and use a range of methods to represent patterns or relationships in data, including tables, graphs, keys, models, and digital technologies as appropriate Construct, analyze and interpret graphs, (including interpolation and extrapolation), models and/or diagrams Construct, analyze and interpret graphs, models and/or diagrams
Seek patterns and connections in data from their own investigations and secondary sources Seek and analyze patterns, trends, and connections in data, including describing relationships between variables (dependent and independent) and identifying inconsistencies Seek and analyze patterns, trends, and connections in data, including describing relationships between variables, performing calculations and identifying inconsistencies
Use scientific understandings to identify relationships and draw conclusions Use knowledge of scientific concepts to draw conclusions that are consistent with evidence Use knowledge of scientific concepts to draw conclusions that are consistent with evidence
  Analyze cause-and-effect relationships Analyze cause-and-effect relationships

 

Evaluating
Grade 7, Grade 8 Grade 9, Grade 10 Grade 11, Grade 12
Reflect on their investigation methods, including the adequacy of controls on variables (dependent and independent) and the quality of the data collected Evaluate their methods and experimental conditions, including identifying sources of error or uncertainty, confounding variables, and possible alternative explanations and conclusions Evaluate their methods and experimental conditions, including identifying sources of error or uncertainty, confounding variables, and possible alternative explanations and conclusions
Identify possible sources of error and suggest improvements to their investigation methods Describe specific ways to improve their investigation methods and the quality of the data Describe specific ways to improve their investigation methods and the quality of the data
Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of evidence (qualitative and quantitative) Evaluate the validity and limitations of a model or analogy in relation to the phenomenon modelled Evaluate the validity and limitations of a model or analogy in relation to the phenomenon modelled
Demonstrate an awareness of assumptions and bias in their own work and secondary sources Demonstrate an awareness of assumptions, question information given, and identify bias in their own work and secondary sources Demonstrate an awareness of assumptions, question information given, and identify bias in their own work and in primary and secondary sources
Exercise a healthy, informed skepticism and use scientific knowledge and findings for their own investigations to evaluate claims in secondary sources Exercise a healthy, informed skepticism and use scientific knowledge and findings to form their own investigations and to evaluate claims in secondary sources Exercise a healthy, informed skepticism and use scientific knowledge and findings to form their own investigations to evaluate claims in primary and secondary sources
Consider social, ethical, and environmental implications of the findings from their own and others’ investigations Consider social, ethical, and environmental implications of the findings from their own and others’ investigations Consider social, ethical, and environmental implications of the findings from their own and others’ investigations
  Consider the changes in knowledge over time as tools and technologies have developed Consider the changes in knowledge over time as tools and technologies have developed
  Critically analyze the validity of information in secondary sources and evaluate the approaches used to solve problems Critically analyze the validity of information in primary and secondary sources and evaluate the approaches used to solve problems
  Connect scientific explorations to careers in science Connect scientific explorations to careers in science
    Assess risks in the context of personal safety and social responsbility

 

Applying and Innovating
Grade 7, Grade 8 Grade 9, Grade 10 Grade 11, Grade 12
Contribute to care for self, others, community, and world through personal or collaborative approaches Contribute to care for self, others, community, and world through individual or collaborative approaches Contribute to care for self, others, community, and world through individual or collaborative approaches
Co-operatively design projects   Co-operatively design projects with local and/or global connections and applications
Transfer and apply learning to new situations Transfer and apply learning to new situations  
Generate and introduce new or refined ideas when problem solving Generate and introduce new or refined ideas when problem solving Implement multiple strategies to solve problems in real-life, applied, and conceptual situations
  Contribute to finding solutions to problems at a local and/or global level through inquiry Contribute to finding solutions to problems at a local and/or global level through inquiry
  Consider the role of scientists in innovation Consider the role of scientists in innovation

 

Communicating
Grade 7, Grade 8 Grade 9, Grade 10 Grade 11, Grade 12
Communicate ideas, findings, and solutions to problems, using scientific language, representations, and digital technologies as appropriate Communicate scientific ideas, claims, information, and perhaps a suggested course of action for a specific purpose and audience, constructing evidence-based arguments and using appropriate scientific language, conventions, and representations Communicate scientific ideas, claims, information, and perhaps a suggested course of action for a specific purpose and audience, constructing evidence-based arguments and using appropriate scientific language, conventions, and representations
Express and reflect on a variety of experiences and perspectives of place Express and reflect on a variety of experiences, perspectives, and worldviews through place Express and reflect on a variety of experiences, perspectives, and worldviews through place
  Formulate physical or mental theoretical models to describe a phenomenon Formulate physical or mental theoretical models to describe a phenomenon
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