DC CAPE 2.0 Science Grade 5 key terms

Information gathered using the senses or simple tools to notice what something is like or what happens. Observations can be described in words, numbers, or drawings.

A reasonable explanation for an observation, based on prior knowledge and evidence rather than on direct sensing. Inferences are ideas about why or how something happened.

A question about the natural world that can be answered by gathering evidence through observation or investigation. It is testable and specific enough to guide a plan.

A statement about what is expected to happen in the future, based on observations, patterns, or prior experience. A prediction can be checked against results.

A proposed, testable explanation for a phenomenon that can be supported or rejected by evidence from an investigation. It is more than a guess because it can be tested.

A planned procedure carried out to gather evidence and answer a scientific question. It includes steps, materials, safety practices, and ways to record data.

The ordered steps followed during an investigation, written clearly enough that another person could repeat them and get comparable results.

Any factor in an investigation that can change or be changed. Scientists identify variables so they know what they are testing and what must stay the same.

A factor that is deliberately kept the same across all trials of an investigation so that it cannot affect the outcome being measured.

An investigation in which only one variable is changed at a time while all other conditions are kept the same, so results can be attributed to the change made.

Recorded observations and measurements collected during an investigation. Data may be numbers, counts, descriptions, or drawings and are used as evidence.

Information from observations or investigations that supports or challenges a claim. Strong evidence is relevant, accurate, and can be checked by others.

A statement that answers a scientific question or states what someone believes is true, which should be supported by evidence and reasoning.

The thinking that connects evidence to a claim, explaining why the evidence supports the conclusion using scientific ideas and principles.

A number and unit that describes a property such as length, mass, volume, temperature, or time, obtained with an appropriate tool.

An object used to extend the senses or make a task easier, such as a ruler, thermometer, hand lens, or balance. Tools improve the accuracy of observations.

A simplified representation of something in the natural world, such as a diagram, physical object, or computer simulation, used to explain or predict how it works.

A labeled drawing or graphic that shows the parts of an object or system and how they relate, often used to communicate scientific ideas clearly.

A repeating or regular feature found in observations or data, such as a cycle, sequence, or trend, that can be used to make predictions.

The extent to which repeated trials or measurements give similar results. Reliable results are more trustworthy as evidence.

Sharing scientific ideas, procedures, and results clearly through speaking, writing, tables, graphs, or diagrams so others can understand and evaluate them.

A repeating cycle used to solve problems: define the problem, plan a solution, build and test a prototype, evaluate results, and improve the design.

The requirements a successful design must meet, such as how fast, strong, or safe a solution must be. Criteria are used to judge whether a design works.

The limits on a design, including available materials, time, cost, space, and safety rules. Constraints shape which solutions are possible.

A first working model of a design that is built and tested so it can be evaluated and improved before a final version is made.

To improve a design step by step by testing it, comparing results against criteria, and making changes that make it work better.

Anything that has mass and takes up space. Matter is made of particles too small to see and exists as solids, liquids, and gases.

A very tiny piece of matter, such as an atom or molecule, whose arrangement and motion help explain properties and changes in materials.

A combination of two or more substances that are physically combined and can usually be separated by physical means, such as filtering or evaporating.

A mixture in which one substance is evenly spread through another, such as salt dissolved in water, and cannot be separated by filtering.

The principle that matter is not created or destroyed during physical or chemical changes; the total mass stays the same even when a material looks different.

A community of living organisms interacting with one another and with the nonliving parts of their environment, such as water, air, soil, and sunlight.

An organism, such as a plant or alga, that makes its own food using energy from sunlight and provides energy for other organisms in a food web.

A model showing how energy moves among organisms in an ecosystem through many connected feeding relationships, including producers, consumers, and decomposers.

A force that pulls objects toward one another, especially toward Earth's center, giving objects weight and causing them to fall when dropped.

A push or a pull that can change an object's speed, direction, or shape. Forces can be balanced or unbalanced.

A change in an object's position over time. Motion can be described by direction, speed, and the forces acting on the object.

The movement of energy from one object or place to another, such as when moving air turns a turbine or when heat flows from a warmer object to a cooler one.

The ability to cause change or do work. Energy exists in forms such as motion, light, sound, heat, and stored chemical or electrical energy, and can be transferred or transformed.

The continuous movement of water among Earth's surface, atmosphere, and living things through evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection.