Science and Engineering Practices
The Science and Engineering Practices describe what scientists and engineers actually do. For Grade 6, focus on these core practices: asking questions and defining problems; developing and using models; planning and carrying out investigations; analyzing and interpreting data; using mathematics and computational thinking; constructing explanations and designing solutions; engaging in argument from evidence; and obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information.
What to master
Know the difference between a question (science) and a problem (engineering). A testable question can be answered by an investigation with measurable variables. Know how to identify independent, dependent, and controlled variables. Understand that a model is a simplified representation with limits. Be able to read a data table or graph and describe a trend, and to distinguish an observation from an inference.
Traps to watch for
- Calling an opinion or a guess a "hypothesis" - a hypothesis must be testable and based on evidence.
- Confusing a model's purpose with reality; models are not exact copies.
- Treating a single trial as conclusive; repeated trials improve reliability.
- Mixing up variables - changing more than one thing makes results unclear.
- Confusing correlation with cause.
Rule of thumb
If a question asks how to make a result more trustworthy, choose the answer that involves more trials, controlled variables, or repeated measurement - not a bigger claim.
Worked example
A student tests whether fertilizer affects plant height. She uses three plants with fertilizer and three without, all in the same light and soil. The fertilizer is the independent variable; plant height is the dependent variable; light and soil are controlled. To improve reliability, she should repeat the trials and average the heights.