Amber Embrock Science Methods 1

 This week in lab we were learning about the 8 characteristics of living things. In order for us to help memorize these characteristics we made an anchor chart to help us connect our thoughts by using pictures and simple definitions. The 8 are: living things have cells, living things respond to stimuli, living things maintain homeostasis, living things can reproduce, living things can move, living things grow and change, living things produce energy, and living things inherit genetic information.  Relating to what we learned about the 8 characteristics of living things, we are conducting an experiment with a bean, water, and a cotton ball. Some characteristics that living organisms are to grow and change, and responded to stimuli.  To prepare the bean for this experiment, we are using water to turn the seed into a plant, and a lightbox for heating. This will enable the bean to grow like it would be exposed to the sun.    Also, we began discovering dissection sin...

What question are we investigating in the lab? What is NGSS? What should elementary students learn in science? What are the components of the NGSS? In the lab, to better investigate the answers to our questions we looked at the NGSS website. We did some group work and class discussion to gather a better understanding of NGSS. From our research, we found the answers to our questions. In the lab this week we learned that the NGSS is Next Generation Science Standards for K-12. The NGSS are expectations for what students should learn in science class. The NGSS was designed to improve science education for all types of students. NGSS believes that students' learning should not be to memorize information, but instead be able to perform the information they are learning. There are three components to the NGSS as well. The three are Crosscutting Concepts, Science and Engineering Practices, and Disciplinary Core Ideas. Each of these ideas is used to help students research, communication, an...