1. Unifying or Common Themes
Dr. Charles Ophardt
EDU 370

2. Systems Collection of things that have some influence on one another
Parts interact with each other
Can be large systems
Or smaller subparts
Can have systems within systems
Useful in understanding how things work

3. System examples Universe Galaxy Stars Solar system Planets Earth
Atomspehere, Hydrosphere, Ecosystem, Living Body

4. Models Helps make concrete the abstract
Simplified imitation of something
Used for better understanding
Physical Model
Drawing
Equation
Computer simulation
Mental Model

5. Models Examples Solar System sizes or distances or both in one model
Earth - various layers
Atmosphere layers
Model of the Moon or any of the planets
Description of a comet as like a snowball

6. Constancy and Change I Constancy Systems do not change
Examples: Force of Gravity
Speed of light
Stability and Equilibrium
Example: Motion of objects around a larger object -Planets and moons

7. Constancy and Change II
Conservation
If a quantity is reduced in one place, an equal increase show up somewhere else
Example: Law of Conservation of Matter or Energy
Visible Matter versus Antimatter or Dark Matter

8. Constancy and Change III
Patterns of Change
Important to predict what has happened, is happening, and will happen in future.
Technology wants to control change
Changes may be: steady, occur in cycles, or are irregular
Example: Seasons, Night/Day, Year, Phases of moon

9. Constancy and Change IV
Trends
Cycles
Chaos
Evolution
Rates
Interaction

10. Scale Time and space scales Depends on viewpoint
Need models to understand both very large and very small scales
Size and scale of universe
Size and scale of atoms and molecules
What is the scale for a specific science area?

11. Unifying Concepts Systems, order, organization
Models, evidence, explanation
Change, constancy, measurement Evolution and Equilibrium Space-Time relationships Patterns in nature
Scale, Form and Function

12. References
Science for All Americans
National Science Education Standards