Appendix 1: State Standards, Next Generation Science Standards(NGSS), and Common Core
Virginia has not adopted the Common Core Standards, but I am including the related NGSS and Common Core Standards for educators outside of Virginia.
Virginia Standards of Learning
4.1 The student will demonstrate an understanding of scientific reasoning, logic, and the nature of science by planning and conducting investigations in which a) distinctions are made among observations, conclusions, inferences, and predictions; b) objects or events are classified and arranged according to characteristics or properties; c) appropriate instruments are selected and used to measure length, mass, volume, and temperature in metric units; d) appropriate instruments are selected and used to measure elapsed time; e) predictions and inferences are made, and conclusions are drawn based on data from a variety of sources; f) independent and dependent variables are identified; g) constants in an experimental situation are identified; h) hypotheses are developed as cause and effect relationships; i) data are collected, recorded, analyzed, and displayed using bar and basic line graphs; j) numerical data that are contradictory or unusual in experimental results are recognized; k) data are communicated with simple graphs, pictures, written statements, and numbers; l) models are constructed to clarify explanations, demonstrate relationships, and solve needs; and m) current applications are used to reinforce science concepts.
4.3 The student will investigate and understand the characteristics of electricity. Key concepts include a) conductors and insulators; b) basic circuits; c) static electricity; d) the ability of electrical energy to be transformed into light and motion, and to produce heat; e) simple electromagnets and magnetism; and f) historical contributions in understanding electricity.
NGSS
4-PS3-2. Make observations to provide evidence that energy can be transferred from place to place by sound, light, heat, and electric currents.
4-P3-4. Apply scientific ideas to design, test, and refine a device that converts energy from one form to another.
4-ESS3-1. Obtain and combine information to describe that energy and fuels derived from natural resources and their uses affect the environment.
Common Core
4.P.1.1 – Explain how various forces affect the motion of an object. Explain how magnets interact with all things made of iron and with other magnets to produce motion without touching them.
4.P.1.2 – Explain how electrically charged objects push or pull on other electrically charged objects and produce motion.
4.P.3.1 – Recognize that energy takes various forms that may be grouped based on their interaction with matter. Students will recognize the basic forms of energy (light, sound, heat, electrical, and magnetic) as the ability to cause motion or create change.
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