In the Science Learning Area ‘we explore how both the natural physical world and science itself work so that you can participate as critical, informed and responsible citizens in a society in which science plays a significant role.’ from the NZ Science Curriculum. Activity Discuss what this means (be sure to check the meaning of the words critical and informed)

The Science Capabilities Are 5 things you need to show you can do.

They are: 1. Gathering and Interpreting Data 2. Using Evidence 3. Critiquing Evidence 4. Interpreting Representations 5. Engaging with Science

Gathering and Interpreting Data We need to be able to make OBSERVATIONS –this means gathering data using your senses (sight, touch, taste, hearing and smell). WE need to be able to make MEANING from these observations WE need to be able to make MEASUREMENTS WE need to be able to draw CONCLUSIONS from observations ( these are called INFERENCES)

Using Evidence In science, explanations need to be supported by evidence based on observations. We need to ask questions like: How do you know that? What makes you think that? How could you check that? Would this always be the case?

Critiquing Evidence We need to be able to look at data/results and look at how TRUSTWORTHY they are. We need to ask questions like: How sure are we of our results? Is this what other people got? What problems we there with the experiment? How could we check our findings to be sure? How confident are we that the measurements are accurate? Were there any unexpected results? Would these results always be true?

Interpreting Representations Representations are models, graphs, charts, tables, diagrams etc. We need to know what they are telling us What has been left out, How well does it get the message across and Why is the information presented in this way?

Engaging with Science This means using the other capabilities to discuss current science issues, some of which might be in the media. We need to be interested in science issues, talk about them and take action on occasions.