Benchmark 2C
The Nature of Mathematics: Mathematical Inquiry
Grades 3-5, page 36

Numbers and shapes--and operations on them--help to describe and predict things about the world around us.
 

NSES Content Standard A 
Science as Inquiry: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry 
Grades 5-8, page 148 
Use mathematics in all aspects of scientific inquiry. Mathematics is essential to asking and answering questions about the natural world. Mathematics can be used to ask questions, to gather, organize and present data, and to structure convincing explanations. 

NSES Content Standard A 
Science as Inquiry: Understanding about scientific inquiry 
Grades 5-8, page 148 
Mathematics is important in all aspects of scientific inquiry.