As a result of activities in grades K-4, all students should develop

• Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry

• Understanding about scientific inquiry

From the earliest grades, students should experience science in a form that engages them in the active construction of ideas and explanations and enhances their opportunities to develop the abilities of doing science. Teaching science as inquiry provides teachers with the opportunity to develop student abilities and to enrich student understanding of science. Students should do science in ways that are within their developmental capabilities. This standard sets forth some abilities of scientific inquiry appropriate for students in grades K-4.

In the early years of school, students can investigate earth materials, organisms, and properties of common objects. Although children develop concepts and vocabulary from such experiences, they also should develop inquiry skills. As students focus on the processes of doing investigations, they develop the ability to ask scientific questions, investigate aspects of the world around them, and use their observations to construct reasonable explanations for the questions posed. Guided by teachers, students continually develop their science knowledge. Students should also learn through the inquiry process how to communicate about their own and their peers' investigations and explanations.

There is logic behind the abilities outlined in the inquiry standard, but a step-by-step sequence or scientific method is not implied. In practice, student questions might arise from previous investigations, planned classroom activities, or questions students ask each other. For instance, if children ask each other how animals are similar and different, an investigation

Front Matter (R1-R10)

National Science Education Standards: An Overview (1-10)

1 Introduction (11-18)

2 Principles and Definitions (19-26)

3 Science Teaching Standards (27-54)

4 Standards for Professional Development for Teachers of Science (55-74)

5 Assessment in Science Education (75-102)

6 Science Content Standards (103-208)

7 Science Education Program Standards (209-226)

8 Science Education System Standards (227-242)

Epilogue (243-246)

Appendix (247-253)

Index (254-260)

Credits (261-262)