SC.6.N.2.2 & SC.6.L.14.1

Select the following statement(s) that are true about science.

• A scientific theory is supported by evidence and continues to be a theory, even when it is changed due to new evidence.

• Only scientific theories are able to be changed with new evidence. Scientific laws are not able to be modified.

• Scientific laws are often revised to include new evidence.

• Scientific theories and ideas are never modified or changed. New evidence means the original thought must be discarded.

• Scientific knowledge is able to exist, be trusted as factual, and be changed with new evidence.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Select the statement that accurately describes why Pluto's classification change is an example of scientific knowledge being changed.

• The scientific knowledge of Pluto and planets had to be discarded entirely. Scientists had to create an entirely new classification system for all celestial objects.

  
  

• New technology and discoveries caused scientists to reexamine Pluto's classification. It did not change the scientific knowledge of what a planet was, but changed how scientists labeled specific objects.

  
  

• New technology and discoveries forced scientists to reexamine Pluto's classification. It completely changed the definition of what a planet was, and scientists had to begin again.

  
  

• Pluto was discovered before scientists had a definition of what a planet was. Therefore, everything was considered a planet before 1992.

Select the statement(s) that are examples of scientific knowledge being changed.

• A scientific lab conducted an experiment based on the hypothesis of one of their scientists. When the experiment was finished, they had disproven the hypothesis.

  
  

• A scientist develops the theory that all plants are made of cells. Later, another scientist uses new technology and discovers that all living things (not just plants) are made of cells.

  
  

• Planets were discovered before telescopes were invented. When telescopes became popular and widely used, planets could be viewed more clearly from Earth.

  
  

• Scientists used their knowledge at the time to describe the function and characteristics of atoms. As new technology was developed, scientists altered their descriptions to include discoveries such as the nucleus and the electrons.

  
  

• Early scientists believe that the motion of objects in the sky is explained by Earth being at the center of the solar system. Later, other scientists create new mathematic formulas that modify that understanding and suggest that the sun is at the center of the solar system.

A scientist discovered a new insect in the rainforest that had never been seen before. He decided to name the insect after the country where the rainforest is located.

What does this indicate about scientific knowledge?

• Scientists must name new species based on where they are discovered.

  
  

• The rainforest is full of interesting insects.

  
  

• Scientific knowledge is open to change as new evidence is encountered.

  
  

• Scientific experimentation leads to new discoveries.

In 1895 Wilhelm Röntgen was working with cathode rays when he noticed a glow on a barium-coated cardboard screen in his lab. He hypothesized that an unknown "X" ray was being emitted along with the cathode ray.

How was science changed as a result of this accidental discovery?

• Röntgen received the 1901 Nobel Prize in Physics.

  
  

• Cathode-ray tubes have been utilized for other experiments.

  
  

• X-rays have been incorporated as a standard medical diagnostic tool.

  
  

• Other scientists were inspired to study x-rays.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

A biology researcher is using a computer model of nerve cells that was developed by other scientists to simulate the effect of a new medication before testing the medication on humans.

Why can the researcher have confidence that the model he is using will provide reliable information?

• Scientists continually update scientific models with the most current information.

• Computer models are written by programmers who have studied computer technology.

• 
  Information about biology doesn't change, so the model should be accurate.

• Scientists have been using computer models for years, so this model should work

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

NGSS.MS-ETS1-4

The theory of continental drift was proposed in 1912 by Alfred Wegener when he noticed that the continents of Africa and South America looked like they might fit together. There was also evidence that similar animal fossils appeared on both continents. Wegner could not explain how the continents would have drifted apart. Decades later, it was discovered that Earth's continents lie on tectonic plates that are in constant motion.

What characteristic of science does this illustrate?

• Fossil evidence is necessary to support geologic theories.

  
  

• Observations in science must be rejected until multiple lines of evidence are found to support them.

  
  

• Events in nature do not always have a scientific explanation.

  
  

• Scientific ideas are strengthened as new evidence is discovered to support them.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

Science sometimes encounters new viruses, such as AIDS in the 1980s and COVID-19 in more recent years. As scientists continue to study and learn more about these viruses, their recommendations about how to respond to them change.

What does this illustrate about scientific knowledge?

• Scientists present their interpretations of evidence and update the information as new evidence is learned.

  
  

• Scientists are often wrong and the information they present should not be trusted.

  
  

• Scientists should not present their interpretations of evidence until they are sure it will not change.

  
  

• Scientists studying new viruses should check with doctors before presenting information.

Scientific knowledge may change as new evidence or information is discovered. Which of the following would NOT be a result of new scientific research and information?

• 1. Binomial nomenclature is assigned to a recently identified plant species.

• 1. An endangered monkey species is put in a reserve for protection from extinction.

• 1. A newly discovered chemical element will be added to the periodic table of the elements.

• A nonnative plant species will begin to reproduce rapidly after being introduced into a swamp ecosystem.

Structures in the human body work together to perform specific functions. The diagram below shows the organization of structures found in the human body.

A picture of which of the following structures belongs in the box ?

• cell

• organ

• organelle

• tissue

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-1

NGSS.MS-LS1-3