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This is a modified version of Galactic Inquiry in which students learn about galaxy classification while also experiencing a simple simulation of peer review and community analysis.
One class period
Correspondence to the Next Generation Science Standards is indicated in parentheses after each relevant concept. See our conceptual framework for details.
- Science is both a body of knowledge and the process for building that knowledge. (NOS5)
- Science aims to build explanations of the natural world. (P3, P6)
- Scientists strive to test their ideas with evidence from the natural world; a hallmark of science is exposing ideas to testing. (P3, P4, P6, P7, NOS2)
- Scientific observations can be made directly with our own senses or may be made indirectly through the use of tools.
- Scientists can test ideas about events and processes long past, very distant, and not directly observable.
- Scientists look for patterns in their observations and data. (P4, P5)
- Different scientists may interpret the same data in different ways. (P7)
- Science depends on communication within the scientific community. (P7, P8)
- Scientists usually work collaboratively.
- Scientists check each other's work, often through peer review. (P7)