Curriculum expectations

Grades 5-7

From the Common Framework of Science Learning Outcomes K-12, Pan-Canadian Protocol for Collaboration on School Curriculum, Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC), 1997.

Meeting basic needs and maintaining a healthy body

• Describe nutritional and other requirements for maintaining a healthy body.
• Record observations using a single word, notes in point form, sentences, and simple diagrams and charts.
• Carry out procedures to explore a given problem and to ensure a fair test of a proposed idea, controlling major variables.
• Identify and suggest explanations for patterns and discrepancies in data.
• Compile and display data, by hand or by computer, in a variety of formats including frequency tallies, tables, and bar graphs.
• Define objects and events in their investigations.
• Rephrase questions in a testable form.
• Demonstrate and describe processes for investigating scientific questions and solving technological problems.

Weather

• Relate the transfer of energy from the sun to weather conditions.
• Relate the constant circulation of water on Earth to the processes of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.
• Record observations using a single word, notes in point form, sentences, and simple diagrams and charts.
• Estimate measurements.
• Select and use tools for measuring.
• Draw a conclusion, based on evidence gathered through research and observation, that answers an initial question.
• Identify and suggest explanations for patterns and discrepancies in data.
• Compile and display data, by hand or by computer, in a variety of formats including frequency tallies, tables, and bar graphs.
• State a prediction and a hypothesis based on an observed pattern of events.
• Demonstrate the importance of using the languages of science and technology to communicate ideas, processes and results.

Space

Space science involves learning about objects in the sky, particularly their form, movements, and interactions. In learning about space, students will focus on past and present-day contributions of space science to the quality of human life while developing an understanding of the phenomena that result from the movement of different bodies in space. Investigations will involve working with models of the different bodies to allow students to explore their size, position, and motion and help them gain an understanding of Earth as a component of larger systems.

• Describe how astronauts are able to meet their basic needs in space.
• Assess the contributions of Canadians (e.g., astronauts Julie Payette and Robert Thirsk, astronomers Richard Bond, David Levy, and Helen Hogg; Spar Aerospace Limited's development of the Canadarm to the exploration and scientific understanding of space
• Evaluate the social and environmental costs and benefits of space exploration, taking different points of view into account (e.g., the point of view of health care workers and workers in other agencies that compete with space programs for public money; astronauts and their families; the general public; scientists)
• Use scientific inquiry/research skills to investigate scientific and technological advances that allow humans to adapt to life in space - Why is life in space a challenge for humans? How might some of those challenges be overcome? What technologies exist now to allow us to overcome the challenges? In what ways does the International Space Station mimic conditions on Earth? What technologies create conditions similar to Earth's on the space station, and what differences remain? How might robotics play a role in human adaptation to space life? Under what circumstances might robots replace humans in space exploration?