Results of scientific investigations are seldom exactly the same, but
if the differences are large, it is important to try to figure out why.
One reason for following directions carefully and for keeping records of
one's work is to provide information on what might have caused the differences.
| NSES Content Standard A
Science as Inquiry: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry Grades K-4, page 122 Use data to construct a reasonable explanation. This aspect of the standard emphasizes the students' thinking as they use data to formulate explanations. Even at the earliest grade levels, students should learn what constitutes evidence and judge the merits or strength of the data and information that will be used to make explanations. After students propose an explanation, they will appeal to the knowledge and evidence they obtained to support their explanations. Students should check their explanations against scientific knowledge, experiences, and observations of others. NSES Content Standard A
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