Science is a way of knowing which seeks to describe and explain the natural and physical world. An important part in building scientific and technological literacy is an understanding of the nature of science, which includes an understanding of the following: what scientists, engineers, and technologists do as individuals and as a community, how scientific knowledge is generated and validated. Science addresses what benefits, costs, and risks are involved in using this knowledge and how science interacts with technology, society, and the environment.
The goals of the science and technology program is to relate science and technology to society and the environment. Science and technology is a subject in which students learn to consider both the knowledge and skills that will help them to understand and consider critically the impact of developments in science and technology on modern society and the environment.
The science and technology curriculum is divided into four strands:
Understanding Life Systems: Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
Understanding Structures and Mechanisms: Materials, Objects, and Everyday Structures
Understanding Matter and Energy: Energy in Our Lives
Understanding Earth and Space Systems: Daily and Seasonal Changes
Review this list of vocabulary associated with the curriculum. Practise spelling, research definitions, and find these vocabulary words when engaging with the TVO resources or completing learning activities.
Students should understand and be able to apply these words in context.
Life Systems Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
Structures and Mechanisms Materials, Objects, and Everyday Structures
Matter and Energy Energy in Our Lives
Earth and Space Systems Daily and Seasonal Changes
colour
energy
environment
explore
food
grow
investigation
needs
reproduce
sense organs
size
shape
waste
cloth
colour
design
experiment
explore
fastener
flexible
foam
height
materials
object
plastic
paper
properties
purpose
rigid
shape
smooth
steel
structure
texture
wood
air
design
construct
earth
energy
electricity
explore
food
grow
investigate
land
source
sun
survival
resource
water
change
cycle
daily
day
dormant
energy
heat
hibernate
investigate
night
season
seasonal
sun
survival
temperature
Resources for Learning
Chosen by TVO educators, these resources support the curriculum outlined above. Review the below list of options along with the activities. Then, read, watch, listen or play to build understanding and knowledge.
Complete the suggested activities using these resources and other TVO resources.
Suggested Activities
Complete these activities to consolidate learning across all curriculum strands.
Make a poster or short speech to explain how showing care and respect for all living things helps to maintain a healthy environment.
Make a list and identify the location and function of the major parts of the human body including your sense organs. For example, the lungs are in your chest and they are used for breathing.
Make a list or chart of different fasteners (tape, glue, button, zipper) and describe the use for each.
Design, build, and test a structure for a specific purpose (for example, a tent, a model of a swing set, a bird feeder, a wigwam)
Design and construct a device that uses energy to perform a task (for example, a kite that uses wind, an instrument that uses human energy to make sounds).
How does your family use electricity at home? How can you reduce energy consumption?
Investigate the amount of change in heat from the sun throughout the day. Draw a diagram or explain using pictures you find. How does this affect your daily routine?
Investigate the amount of change in heat from the sun throughout the year. Draw a diagram or explain using pictures you find. How do you adapt to these changes?
Create your own definitions for 20 of the words in the vocabulary list.
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