Unit 1: Models & Designs

Interactive Science Notebook

Here is a link to the Table of Contents (TOC) for the Models & Designs Unit for your Interactive Science Notebook (ISN).

Big Ahas! (Unit Thesis Question)

How can I think like an engineer and scientist?

Focus Questions
  • How can scientific drawings be used to convey information (penny drawings)?
  • How can data be analyzed and interpreted when conducting a scientific investigation?
  • How is surface tension affected by different liquids?
  • How can we determine what's inside a "black box" without opening it?
  • What science practices can be used to uncover the workings of a "black box"?
  • What are the steps an inventor or engineer takes during the design process?
  • How do scientists determine the type of model (conceptual or physical) to use to explain an idea?

Enduring Understanding
  • Manipulate objects and materials.
  • Design and construct conceptual and physical models.
  • Look for relationships between structure and function of materials and systems.
  • Organize and analyze data from investigations with physical objects and systems.
  • Apply mathematics in the context of science.
  • Acquire vocabulary associated with engineering and technology.
  • Gain confidence in their abilities to solve problems.
  • Learn that there is often more than one solution to a problem.
  • Communicate ideas to peers and work in a collaborative scientific manner.
  • Use scientific thinking processes to conduct investigations and build explanations: observing, communicating, comparing, organizing, and relating.
Key Vocabulary
Observe (Observation)
Infer (Inference)
Annotate (Annotation)
Models (Physical & Conceptual)
Systems
Black Box

​Cohesion
Adhesion
Surface Tension
Pipette
Siphon
Variable
​Scale

​Controlled Variable
Independent Variable
Dependent Variable
x-axis (horizontal)
y-​axis (vertical)
Constraints
Prototype

​Engineer
​Criteria
Design Process
Interpret
Collaborate
Structure & Function