Children in grades 5-8 will build on their K-4 measurement and observation skills to construct new understandings and validate scientific theories and explanations. At this level, effective learning environments provide opportunities for collaborative inquiry in the field, classroom, and laboratory. These students need content knowledge as well as frequent and varied practice in experimentation and inquiry. Since students in the middle years tend to center on evidence which supports their current beliefs, they need to be able to examine their beliefs and concepts in a safe environment and be provided with scientific theories as alternatives. At this level effective learning environments provide opportunities for students to construct new understandings and validate scientific theories and explanations through:

• Providing frequent opportunities for students to engage in full and partial Inquiries
• Providing students with background content and theories to guide their design of observations and investigations.
• Helping students shape and modify their background knowledge through experiments and observations. Students should develop their abilities in systematic observation, making accurate measurements, and identifying and controlling variables.
• Since students in the middle years tend to center on evidence which supports their current beliefs, teachers need to challenge current beliefs and concepts that students hold and provide scientific theories as alternatives.

• Giving ample opportunity for students to establish and refine methods of experimentation, data collection and reporting.
• Encouraging students to develop skills to present their understandings using the language of science to communicate scientific explanations and ideas. Students should receive constructive criticism and questions and should be able to provide the same for fellow student groups and individuals.
• The use of writing, labeling drawings, completing concept maps, developing spreadsheets, and designing computer images and representations should be part of the middle school science experience.

• Use literature and technology, and graphic organizers to support different explanations and predictions

Science is a way of knowing and understanding the world around us. Because science plays a key role in developing an informed citizen, it is important that all middle school children have experience in the enterprise and content of science.