Wizards of Wright (WOW!) lessons are designed to help students engage and explore a variety of STEM strands and themes. The lessons are also written so that teachers and our WOW! volunteers can explain and elaborate on specific curriculum topics through hands-on activities with the use of up-to-date materials and equipment. Our goal is to always provide your students with the very best experiences possible, while helping you meet your objectives.
We have listed the ODE standards connected to our lessons on the individual description pages. Of course, with introduction and/or follow up in your classroom, other objectives can be met as well.
Direct extraction from the latest Ohio Learning Standards:
Using the 5E learning cycle allows teachers to provide supports to students as they learn to frame questions, assess and analyze data, and create and critique explanations (including engaging with others in a public forum) – all important components of scientific and engineering practices. (Ohio's Learning Standards and Model Curriculum, page 6)
One goal of science education is to help students become scientifically literate citizens able to use science as a way of knowing about the natural and material world. All students should have sufficient understanding of scientific knowledge and scientific processes to enable them to distinguish what is science from what is not science and to make informed decisions about career choices, health maintenance, quality of life, community and other decisions that impact both themselves and others. (Ohio's Learning Standards and Model Curriculum, page 8)
All students must use these scientific processes with appropriate laboratory safety techniques to construct their knowledge and understanding in all science content areas.
Science assumes the universe is a vast single system in which basic laws are consistent. Natural laws operate today as they did in the past, and they will continue to do so in the future. Science is both a body of knowledge that represents a current understanding of natural systems and the processes used to refine, elaborate, revise and extend this knowledgeM
Science has been, and continues to be, advanced by individuals of various races, genders, ethnicities, languages, abilities, family backgrounds and incomes.
Science is not static. Science is constantly changing as we acquire more knowledge.
Besides the Earth, Space, Physical and Life Science topics and objectives that WOW! lessons meet, our lessons are purposely written to reinforce the Nature of Science goals.
Grades K-2 Nature of Science: (ODE Learning Standards, page 8) |
Grades 3-5 Nature of Science: (ODE Learning Standards, page 9) |
Grades 6-8 Nature of Science: (ODE Learning Standards, page 10) |
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Scientific Inquiry, Practice and Applications | ||
Apply knowledge of science content to real-world challenges. Plan and conduct simple scientific investigations using appropriate safety techniques based on explorations, observations and questions. Employ simple equipment and tools to gather data and extend the senses. Employ simple equipment and tools to gather data and extend the senses. Use data and mathematical thinking to construct reasonable explanations. Communicate with others about investigations and data. |
Observe and ask questions about the world that can be answered through scientific investigations. Design and conduct scientific investigations using appropriate safety techniques. Use appropriate mathematics, tools and techniques to gather data information. Develop and communicate descriptions, models, explanations and predictions. Think critically and ask questions about the observations and explanations of others. Communicate scientific procedures and explanation. Apply knowledge of science content to real-world challenges. |
Apply knowledge of science content to real-world challenges. Identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigations. Design and conduct scientific investigations using appropriate safety techniques. Use appropriate mathematics, tools and techniques to gather data and information. Analyze and interpret data. Develop descriptions, models, explanations and predictions. Think critically and logically to connect evidence and explanations. Recognize and analyze alternative explanations and predictions. Communicate scientific procedures and explanations. Design technological/engineering solutions. |
Science is a Way of Knowing | ||
The world is discovered through exploration. Exploration leads to observation. Observation leads to questions. Natural events happen today as they happened in the past. Events happen in regular patterns and cycles in the natural world. |
Science is both a body of knowledge and processes to discover new knowledge. Science is a way of knowing about the world around us based evidence from experimentation and observation. Science assumes that objects and events occur in consistent patters that are understandable through measurable and observation. |
Science is a way of knowing about the world around us based on evidence from experimentation and observation. Science is a continual process and the body of scientific knowledge continues to grow and change. Science assumes that objects and events occur in consistent patterns that are understandable through measurement and observation. Science should carefully consider and evaluate all data including outliers. Science is based on observable phenomena and empirical evidence. Science disciplines share common rules for obtaining and evaluating empirical evidence. |
Science is a Human Endeavor | ||
Everyone explores the world which generates questions. The answer is not always as important as the process. Questions often lead to other questions. People address questions through collaboration with peers and continued exploration. Everyone can see themselves as scientists. |
People from many generations and nations contribute to science knowledge. People of all cultures, genders, and backgrounds can pursue a career in science. Scientists often work in teams. Science requires creativity and imagination. |
Individuals from different social, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds work as scientists and engineers. Scientists and engineers are guided by habits of mind, such as intellectual honesty, tolerance of ambiguity, skepticism and openness to ideas. Scientists and engineers rely on human qualities such as persistence, precision, reasoning, logic, imagination and creativity. |
Scientific Knowledge is Open to Revision in Light of New Evidence | ||
It is essential to learn how to identify credible scientific evidence Ideas are revised based on new, credible scientific evidence. |
Science develops theories based on a body of scientific evidence. Science explanations can change based on new scientific evidence. |
Science explanations are subject to revision and improvement in light of additional scientific evidence or new understanding of scientific evidence. |
Source: Ohio Department of Education (Ohio's Learning Standards; Ohio's Learning Standards and Model Curriculum)