Published by Wappingers Central School District, Wappingers Falls, NY, April 2001

Science Outcomes
Grade 6

Abilities Outcomes
1. Students develop abilities in analysis, inquiry and design.
A.Students model what a scientist does as they engage in problem-posing, observing, predicting,
describing, comparing, measuring, data gathering, drawing conclusions, and revising their ideas and
solutions about a variety investigations.
B.Students engage in mental, pictorial, and physical model-building and model-revising processes.
C.Students cooperatively plan and create a mural depicting the many ways that scientists construct
knowledge about the world.
D.Students utilize information systems (libraries, media, Internet etc.) to create a visual presentation
on space exploration.
E.Students engage in the engineering design process as they develop plans, including detailed
drawings and construction of models about space exploration.

2. Students develop math abilities.
A.Students create, read, and interpret graphs and charts.

3. Students develop communication abilities
A.Students develop communication and cooperative group skills as they discuss and share their
findings and write in their science journals.

Content Outcomes
1. Students understand the nature and processes of science.
A.Students analyze and discuss the philosophy, nature, and processes of science as they engage in
"black" box and "mystery" box investigations.
B.Students compare and contrast the roles and contributions of women and people of color in science.

2. Students apply their knowledge of energy to everyday life.
A.Students differentiate between different forms of energy.
B.Students develop methods to explore the variables that affect various forms of energy
C.Students demonstrate the law of conservation of energy through building a working model.
D.Students investigate the properties of electricity, magnetism, and electromagnetism.

3. Students apply their knowledge of meteorology and astronomy to everyday life.
A.Students discuss and map on a timeline the significant events in the history of astronomy.
B.Students describe and demonstrate the daily, seasonal, and yearly changes that take place on Earth
including day/night, time zones, and seasons.
C.Students identify, describe, and compare the nine planets in the Solar System.
D.Students demonstrate and apply the properties of concave and convex lenses to everyday life.

4. Students investigate ecosystems and human impact on the environment
A.Students identify the necessary components in an ecosystem including the abiotic and biotic factors.
B.Students demonstrate the various roles and functions of the food chain.
C.Students identify human interactions in ecosystems.
D.Students differentiate acids and bases using qualitative and quantitativemethods.
E.Students prepare for and participate in a debate on acid rain.
F.Students determine and differentiate among solid waste treatment and disposal.
G.Students identify and describe the factors that affect the growth of bread mold.
H.Students investigate recycling of plastics through reducing, reusing, and recycling.
I.Students explain landfill formation and solid waste management.
J.Students identify and describe forms of pollution and pollution control.