Welcome to PSC 1210
Earth and Space Science for
K-8 Teachers
Goals of PSC 1210
Understand important concepts in
Earth and Space Science
Develop science process skills
Appreciate and apply the scientific
method
Learn using techniques you will apply as
a teacher
Some Science Terminology
scientific fact – specific, verifiable information
*Sulfur is a yellow mineral.
*Granite is an igneous rock.
hypothesis – possible action and/or explanation
for a behavior or an observation; must be
tested through experimentation
*Magnetism is based on electron associations
Some Science Terminology
 law - generalized statement of a relationship between
variables in a system based on repeated
experimentation; can be used to predict behavior of a
system
*As the temperature of a gas increases, its volume
increases.
 theory - generalized explanation for observations
based on repeated experimentation or observations
*Gas behavior such as expansion with heat or
increased pressure with decreasing volume is a result
of particles that are far apart and moving rapidly.
Some Science Terminology
 scientific belief something that is accepted as true
based on scientific evidence but cannot be proven at
that time
*All protons are identical.
*The sun will rise tomorrow.
Scientific Method
Make an observation that raises a
question
State a question
Determine a possible reason for the
observation
Pose a hypothesis
Design and carry out an investigation
to prove or disprove the hypothesis
Do an experiment
Scientific Method
Compile information from the
experiment and decide if the
hypothesis was correct
Analyze/Make a conclusion
If the conclusion or experimental
process raises other questions, start
the process again.
Scientific Method
• Understand variables:
– Independent variable = one changed by the
experimenter
– Dependent variable = one that changes as a
result of a change in the independent
variable
– Controlled variable = any property that is
not being investigated and must remain the
same during the experiment
Scientific Method
Make an observation that raises a question.
Do birds prefer red or blue bird
feeders?
Determine a possible reason for the
observation. Pose a hypothesis.
Birds prefer red feeders.
Design and carry out an investigation to
prove or disprove the hypothesis
Determine the variables:
Independent = color of the feeder
Dependent = # of birds at the feeder
Scientific Method
Determine the variables:
Controlled = type of feeder, type of
food, time of day recorded, height of
feeder, location of feeder…
Set up 3 blue and three red identical bird
feeders. At a set time each day for 10
days, record how many birds are at each
feeder. Record data in a suitable table.
Scientific Method
Compile information from the experiment.

Analyze the data. Make a bar graph of
the number of birds at each color
feeder for each day.
Decide if the hypothesis was correct.
Make a conclusion
The birds prefer a red feeder
over a blue feeder.
Science Process Skills - Basic
Observing
Measuring
Classifying
Communicating
Inferring
Predicting
Science Process SkillsIntegrated
Controlling Variables
Defining
Operationally
Formulating
Hypotheses
Interpreting Data
Experimenting
Formulating Models
What is a Misconception?
Incorrect understanding of term or
process
Not merely a misfact
Can be taught to you or you can come to
it based on your personal experience
Highly resistant to change
Some Misconceptions in
Earth/Space Science
The seasons are
caused by the Earth’s
distance from the Sun.
Continents do not
move.
Most rivers flow
“down” from north to
south.
Some Misconceptions in
Earth/Space Science
The soil we see today has always
existed.
Dinosaurs and humans existed at the
same time.
The phases of the Moon are caused by
a shadow from the Earth.
Lesson Design – The 5 E’s
Engagement
Exploration
Explanation
Extension
Evaluation
Learning and Assessment Tools
for PSC 1210
Guided Inquiry Activities
Quizzes and Performance Tasks
Journal
Internet Explorations
Projects