Scientific and Engineering Practices
Scientific inquiry is the planned and deliberate investigation of the natural world using scientific and engineering practices. Scientific methods of investigation are descriptive, comparative, or experimental. The method chosen should be appropriate to the grade level and question being asked. Student learning for different types of investigations include descriptive investigations, which involve collecting data and recording observations without making comparisons; comparative investigations, which involve collecting data with variables that are manipulated to compare results; and experimental investigations, which involve processes similar to comparative investigations but in which a control is identified.
(i) Scientific practices. Students ask questions, plan and conduct investigations to answer questions, and explain phenomena using appropriate tools and models.
(ii) Engineering practices. Students identify problems and design solutions using appropriate tools and models.
(iii) To support instruction in the science content standards, it is recommended that districts integrate scientific and engineering practices through classroom and outdoor investigations for at least 50% of instructional time.
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Water Cycle Diagram
Display this water cycle diagram when teaching about the continuous movement of water above and on the surface of the Earth.
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Santa’s New Sleigh - Christmas STEM Activity
Design and build a new sleigh for Santa with a printable Christmas STEM project.
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Christmas STEM Challenge Cards - STEM Activities for Elementary
A set of 12 Christmas STEM activity cards for your students to enjoy during the holiday season.
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I See, I Think, I Wonder - Science Inquiry PowerPoint
Teach students to ask scientific questions, make observations, and inspire discussions with this ‘I See, I Think, I Wonder’ Science Inquiry PowerPoint.
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Christmas STEM - Tallest Tree Challenge
Experience hands-on STEM concepts with your students with this Christmas Tree Building STEM project.
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Lab Safety Scenario Worksheets (3-5)
Think like scientists and improve Science Lab Safety Skills with printable lab safety scenario worksheets.
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Animal Habitat Diorama Project
Plan an Animal Habitat Project for your students with our animal habitat diorama project pack.
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Coding Robot STEM Challenge Task Cards
A set of 10 STEM challenge cards using a coding robot.
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Inquiry Project - Template
A diverse template to help students craft inquiry questions to produce different types of research projects.
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Making a Prediction in Science Worksheets (Differentiated)
Introduce your students to making predictions in science with a set of differentiated Scientific Prediction Worksheets.
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Design a Pirate Ship - STEM Science Project (3-4)
Build a pirate ship and get your students thinking outside the box (or boat) with exciting pirate-themed STEM science projects.
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Experimental Design Worksheet - Scientific Method Cut and Paste
Sequence the steps in the scientific method with a pair of differentiated Experimental Design Worksheets.
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Process Skills for Science Worksheet Pack
Improve your students' skills for science class with printable Scientific Process Skills Worksheets.
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Printable Journal for STEM Experiments
Use this STEM Experiment journal to organize data and learning with your students when completing STEM experiments.
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Scientific Method Worksheet - Vocabulary Match
Use a Scientific Method Worksheet to review key science experiment vocabulary words.
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Folktale STEM - Gingerbread Boat Building Activity
Explore floating and waterproof materials in this Gingerbread STEM investigation for early learners.
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Can You Save Fred? Activity
Can You Save Fred? Encourage teamwork and resilience with a fun, hands-on problem-solving and team-building STEM activity.
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The Water Cycle - Cut and Paste Worksheet
Sequence the steps of the water cycle with a cut and paste worksheet.
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Does the Sun Transfer Heat? – Science Experiment
Discover how the sun transfers thermal energy and which objects absorb more heat with this science experiment for kids.
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Friction Experiment - Sticky Friction
Use this engaging friction experiment when teaching your students about sliding friction and the effect it has on the movement of objects.
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Select a Science Tool Worksheets
Demonstrate knowledge of different science lab equipment and investigation tools while boosting science inquiry skills with a set of printable Select a Science Tool Worksheets.
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Ordering Steps in a Scientific Process Worksheet Pack
Help your 3rd-5th-grade students strengthen their understanding of the science investigation process with this set of cut-and-paste sequencing worksheets.
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Lab Safety Slip Ups - Making Predictions Task Cards
Help your upper-level science students develop safe lab habits with this interactive set of printable Lab Safety Task Cards.
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Dot Day STEM Activities - Building Task Cards
Implement Dot Day STEM Activities with a set of fun DOT-based structure-building task cards.
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Build & Destroy - STEM Building Challenges for Kindergarten
Build, destroy, and promote STEM education with our printable STEM building challenges for Kindergarten.
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Scientific Method Digital Learning Activity
Help your students understand the steps in the scientific process with an engaging Scientific Method Digital Learning Notebook activity.
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Build It! STEM Brick-Building Challenge Cards
Challenge your students to build amazing structures with a set of printable STEM Building Cards for plastic construction bricks.
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Scientific Method Bulletin Board Set
Use a Scientific Method Bulletin Board set to introduce your students to the steps in the scientific process.
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STEM Thinking Prompts - Higher Order Thinking Skills Questions
Use our printable STEM Thinking Question cards to improve scientific conversation and higher order thinking skills in your students.
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Foldable Scientific Method Graphic Organizer Pack
Use a foldable Scientific Method Graphic Organizer to help your students organize their learning about the scientific process.
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Scientific Method Flip Book Template
Create a Scientific Method Flip Book to record scientific predictions, observations, and conclusions with a printable science flip book template.
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Scientific Investigation Scenarios - Sorting Activity
Analyze scientific investigation scenarios to determine which stage in the scientific method is being described with a printable Scientific Method Sorting Activity.