GENERAL SCIENCE OBJECTIVES – Grades 1 to 8

At the conclusion of the science program prescribed for the elementary school in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, students should have achieved the skills enumerated in the following six categories of objectives:

Knowledge

To read and state the meaning of certain scientific facts and concepts. When a problem situation is stated requiring application of some scientific principles, a child has learned that he/she should be able to apply the principle.

Instrumental Skills

To manipulate basic science equipment, interpret and prepare maps, graphs, charts, and tables appropriate to problems.

Problem-Solving Skills

To demonstrate problem-solving skills such as observing, inferring, sensing and defining problems, making hypotheses, outlining scientific procedures to test hypotheses, carrying out an investigation, controlling and manipulating variables, formulating models, making valid conclusions, recognizing and using space and time relationships, recognizing and using number relationships, classifying, measuring, communicating, and making operational definitions.

Scientific Attitudes

To demonstrate such scientific attitudes as open-mindedness by being willing to consider new facts in making judgments, withholding conclusions until all available facts are in, using controls, generalizing with sufficient evidence.

Appreciation

To describe the uses, benefits, and limitations of science to society.

Interest

To demonstrate interest in science by reading, collecting, studying, or becoming involved in some scientific activity as a leisure time pursuit.