ScienceMakers Toolkit Manual - The History Makers

D. Earth and Space Science - Earth and space science focuses on science facts, concepts, principles, theories,
and models that are important for all students to know, understand, and use.
M.D.1 Structure of the earth system
• Lithospheric plates on the scales of continents and oceans constantly move at rates of centimeters per year in
response to movements in the mantle. Major geological events, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and
mountain building, result from these plate motions.
H.D.4 Origin and evolution of the universe
• The origin of the universe remains one of the greatest questions in science. The “big bang” theory places the
origin between 10 and 20 billion years ago, when the universe began in a hot dense state; according to this
theory, the universe has been expanding ever since.
• Early in the history of the universe, matter, primarily the light atoms hydrogen and helium, clumped together
by gravitational attraction to form countless trillions of stars. Billions of galaxies, each of which is a
gravitationally bound cluster of billions of stars, now form most of the visible mass in the universe.
• Stars produce energy from nuclear reactions, primarily the fusion of hydrogen to form helium. These and
other processes in stars have led to the formation of all the other elements.
E. Science and Technology - An understanding of science and technology establishes connections between
the natural and designed world, linking science and technology.
M.E.2 Understandings about science and technology
• Scientifi c inquiry and technological design have similarities and differences. Scientists propose explanations
for questions about the natural world, and engineers propose solutions relating to human problems, needs,
and aspirations. Technological solutions are temporary; technologies exist within nature and so they cannot
contravene physical or biological principles; technological solutions have side effects; and technologies
cost, carry risks, and provide benefi ts.
• Many different people in different cultures have made and continue to make contributions to science and
technology.
• Science and technology are reciprocal. Science helps drive technology, as it addresses questions that demand
more sophisticated instruments and provides principles for better instrumentation and technique.
Technology is essential to science, because it provides instruments and techniques that enable observations
of objects and phenomena that are otherwise unobservable due to factors such as quantity, distance, location,
size, and speed. Technology also provides tools for investigations, inquiry and analysis.
H.E.2 Understandings about science and technology
• Scientists in different disciplines ask different questions, use different methods of investigation, and accept
different types of evidence to support their explanations. Many scientifi c investigations require the contributions
of individuals from different disciplines, including engineering. New disciplines of science, such as
geophysics and biochemistry often emerge at the interface of two older disciplines.
• Science often advances with the introduction of new technologies. Solving technological problems often results
in new scientifi c knowledge. New technologies often extend the current levels of scientifi c understanding
and introduce new areas of research.
• Creativity, imagination, and a good knowledge base are all required in the work of science and engineering.
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