Kindergarten

Science and Engineering Practices 

Life Science: Exploring Organisms and the Environment

Earth Science: Exploring Weather Patterns

Physical Science: Exploring Properties of Objects and Materials

The practices of science and engineering support the development of science concepts, develop the habits of mind that are necessary for scientific thinking, and allow students to engage in science in ways that are similar to those used by scientists and engineers. 

Technology is any modification to the natural world created to fulfill the wants and needs of humans. The engineering design process involves a series of iterative steps used to solve a problem and often leads to the development of a new or improved technology. 

 The environment consists of many types of organisms including plants, animals, and fungi. Organisms depend on the land, water, and air to live and grow. Plants need water and light to make their own food. Fungi and animals cannot make their own food and get energy from other sources. Animals (including humans) use different body parts to obtain food and other resources needed to grow and survive. Organisms live in areas where their needs for air, water, nutrients, and shelter are met. 

Weather is a combination of sunlight, wind, snow or rain, and temperature in a particular region at a particular time. Scientists measure weather conditions to describe and record the weather and to notice patterns over time. Plants and animals (including humans) respond to different weather conditions in different ways.

Objects can be described and classified by their observable properties, by their uses, and by whether they occur naturally or are manufactured (human-made). Different properties of objects are suited for different purposes. 

Ask and answer questions about the natural world using explorations, observations, or structured investigations. 

Develop and use models to (1) understand or represent phenomena, processes, and relationships, (2) test devices or solutions, or (3) communicate ideas to others.

With teacher guidance, conduct structured investigations to answer scientific questions, test predictions and develop explanations: (1) predict possible outcomes, (2) identify materials and follow procedures, (3) use appropriate tools or instruments to make qualitative observations and take nonstandard measurements, and (4) record and represent data in an appropriate form. Use appropriate safety procedures. 

Analyze and interpret data from observations, measurements, or investigations to understand patterns and meanings.

Use mathematical thinking to (1) recognize and express quantitative observations, (2) collect and analyze data, or (3) understand patterns and relationships.

Construct explanations of phenomena using (1) student-generated observations and measurements, (2) results of investigations, or (3) data communicated in graphs, tables, or diagrams.

Construct scientific arguments to support explanations using evidence from observations or data collected.

Obtain and evaluate informational texts, observations, data collected, or discussions to (1) generate and answer questions about the natural world, (2) understand phenomena, (3) develop models, or (4) support explanations. Communicate observations and explanations using oral and written language.

Construct devices or design solutions to solve specific problems or needs: (1) ask questions to identify problems or needs, (2) ask questions about the criteria and constraints of the devices or solutions, (3) generate and communicate ideas for possible devices or solutions, (4) build and test devices or solutions, (5) determine if the devices or solutions solved the problem, and (6) communicate the results. 

Obtain information to answer questions about different organisms found in the environment (such as plants, animals, or fungi). 

Conduct structured investigations to determine what plants need to live and grow (including water and light).

Develop and use models to exemplify how animals use their body parts to (1) obtain food and other resources, (2) protect themselves, and (3) move from place to place.

Analyze and interpret data to describe how humans use their senses to learn about the world around them. 

Construct explanations from observations of what animals need to survive and grow (including air, water, nutrients, and shelter). 

Obtain and communicate information about the needs of organisms to explain why they live in particular areas. 

Analyze and interpret local weather condition data (including precipitation, wind, temperature, and cloud cover) to describe weather patterns that occur from day to day, using simple graphs and pictorial weather symbols.

Develop and use models to predict seasonal weather patterns and changes.

Obtain and communicate information to support claims about how changes in seasons affect plants and animals.

Define problems caused by the effects of weather on human activities and design solutions or devices to solve the problem

Analyze and interpret data to compare the qualitative properties of objects (such as size, shape, color, texture, weight, flexibility, attraction to magnets, or ability to sink or float) and classify objects based on similar properties.

Develop and use models to describe and compare the properties of different materials (including wood, plastic, metal, cloth, and paper) and classify materials by their observable properties, by their uses, and by whether they are natural or human-made.

Conduct structured investigations to answer questions about which materials have the properties that are best suited to solve a problem or need.