Alaska Science
Key Element D1

A student who meets the content standard should apply scientific knowledge and skills to understand issues and everyday events.

Performance Standard Level 4, Ages 15–18

Students investigate a regional or global issue; identify and evaluate the current solutions.

Sample Assessment Ideas

• Students study parasitic infection affecting food stuffs (e.g., moose, caribou, wheat, rye, peanuts); assess methods for eradication of the parasite.

• Students research oil exploration in Alaska and across the globe; compare the different methods.

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

National Science Education Standards

Formulate and revise scientific explanations and models using logic and evidence. Student inquiries should culminate in formulating an explanation or model. Models should be physical, conceptual, and mathematical. In the process of answering the questions, the students should engage in discussions and arguments that result in the revision of their explanations. These discussions should be based on scientific knowledge, the use of logic, and evidence from their investigation. (Page 175)

Recognize and analyze alternative explanations and models. This aspect of the standard emphasizes the critical abilities of analyzing an argument by reviewing current scientific understanding, weighing the evidence, and examining the logic so as to decide which explanations and models are best. In other words, although there may be several plausible explanations, they do not all have equal weight. Students should be able to use scientific criteria to find the preferred explanations. (Page 175)

Scientific explanations must adhere to criteria such as: a proposed explanation must be logically consistent; it must abide by the rules of evidence; it must be open to questions and possible modification; and it must be based on historical and current scientific knowledge. (Page 176)

Benchmarks