Science
The Illinois Learning Standards for Science were developed
using the 1985 State Goals for Science, the National Science
Education Standards, various other state and national works,
and local education standards contributed by team members.
Science is a creative endeavor of the human mind. It offers
a special perspective of the natural world in terms of understanding
and interaction. The aim of science education is to develop
in learners a rich and full understanding of the inquiry process;
the key concepts and principles of life sciences, physical
science, and earth and space sciences; and issues of science,
technology, and society in historical and contemporary contexts.
The National Science Education Standards present these understandings
and their interactions with the natural world as eight science
content standard categories. The Illinois Learning Standards
for Science integrate these categories into a powerful
resource for the design and evaluation of science curricula
taught in Illinois schools.
The Illinois Learning Standards for Science are organized
by goals that inform one another and depend upon one another
for meaning. Expectations for learners related to the inquiry
process are presented in standards addressing the doing of
science and elements of technological design. Unifying concepts
connect scientific understanding and process and are embedded
in standards spanning life science, physical science, and
earth and space science. The importance of this knowledge
and its application is conveyed in standards describing the
conventions and nature of the scientific enterprise and the
interplay among science, technology and society in past, present
and future contexts.
Applications of Learning
Through Applications of Learning, students demonstrate and
deepen their understanding of basic knowledge and skills.
These applied learning skills cross academic disciplines and
reinforce the important learning of the disciplines. The ability
to use these skills will greatly influence students' success
in school, in the workplace and in the community.
Solving Problems
Recognize and investigate problems; formulate and propose
solutions supported by reason and evidence.
Asking questions and seeking answers are at the heart of
scientific inquiry. Following the steps of scientific inquiry,
students learn how to gather evidence, review and understand
their findings, and compare their solutions with those of
others. They learn that there can be differing solutions to
the same problem, some more useful than others. In the process,
they learn and apply scientific principles. They also learn
to be objective in deciding whether their solutions meet specifications
and perform as desired.
Communicating
Express and interpret information and ideas.
Scientists must carefully describe their methods and results
to a variety of audiences, including other scientists. This
requires precise and complete descriptions and the presentation
of conclusions supported by evidence. Young science students
develop the powers of observation and description. Older students
gain the ability to organize and study data, to determine
its meaning, to translate their findings into clear understandable
language and to compare their results with those of other
investigators.
Using Technology
Use appropriate instruments, electronic equipment, computers
and networks to access information, process ideas and communicate
results.
Technology is invented and improved by the use of scientific
principles. In turn, scientists depend on technology in performing
experiments, analyzing data and communicating the results.
Science students learn to use a range of technologies: instruments,
computer hardware and software, on-line services and equipment,
primary source data and images, and communication networks.
They learn how technology, in turn, is the result of a scientific
design process that includes continual refinements and improvements.
Working on Teams
Learn and contribute productively as individuals and as members
of groups.
The practical application of science requires both individual
and group efforts. Individuals bring unique insight and focus
to the work of inquiry and problem solving. Working in groups,
scientists pose questions, share hypotheses, divide their
experimental efforts, and share data and results. Science
students have the opportunity to work both ways—as individuals
and as members of teams organized to conduct complex investigations
and solve problems.
Making Connections
Recognize and apply connections of important information
and ideas within and among learning areas.
Science has many disciplines, all interrelated. Understanding
the functioning of living things depends on knowing chemistry;
understanding chemistry depends on knowing physics. In the
same way, science itself is highly dependent on mathematics—and
it also relates strongly to medicine, geography, physical
development and health, social trends and issues, and many
other topics. Science, at its best, provides knowledge and
skills that improve the understanding of virtually all subjects.
Goals
Goal 11 - Inquiry and Design  
Goal 12 - Concepts and Principles
Goal 13 - Science, Technology and Society
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