Alaska Science
Key Element B5

A student who meets the content standard should employ ethical standards, including unbiased data collection and factual reporting of results.

Performance Standard Level 2, Ages 8–10

Students practice factual reporting of data and identify techniques that ensure the fair collection and comparison of evidence.

Sample Assessment Ideas

• Students compete for a prize to be awarded to the student or group that can grow the tallest plant. Share data and ask if anyone was tempted to exaggerate their results. Discuss what effect this would have on the conclusions.

• Students compete in teams to build and test a model car to see which one rolls the farthest off an inclined plane. Teams will be responsible for monitoring themselves. At the end of the competition, ask if anyone was tempted to exaggerate data and whether exaggeration would be fair.

Standards Cross-References
( Alaska Department of Education & Early Development Standards)

National Science Education Standards

Scientists make the results of their investigations public; they describe the investigations in ways that enable others to repeat the investigations. (Page 123)

Scientists review and ask questions about the results of other scientists’ work. (Page 123)

Benchmarks

Keep records of their investigations and observations and not change the records later. (Page 286)

Buttress their statements with facts found in books, articles, and databases, and identify the sources used and expect others to do the same. (Page 299)

Recognize when comparisons might not be fair because some conditions are not kept the same. (Page 299)