PESTL Science and Engineering Practices
Student Science
Practices
A. Understanding Scientific
Explanations
B. Generating Scientific
Evidence
1. Asking Questions
(Science) and
Defining problems
(Engineering)
A. Identify questions relevant
to science or engineering
problems.
B. Distinguish between
science questions and nonscience questions.
C. Pose questions that are
E. Consider the scope of the
testable.
questions posed.
D. Formulate testable
F. Reflect on the possible
hypotheses and pose
domains of questions
questions in science that seek
posed.
evidence relevant to the
question.
G. Ask science questions so others
understand the question.
H. Write science questions that
others understand.
I. Gather information from others
to help develop relevant
questions.
J. Ask relevant questions to
increase understanding of
others.
K. Work collaboratively to develop
science questions.
2. Developing and
Using Models
A. Distinguish between
representation and the
actual object and/or
phenomena represented in
a model.
B. Relate useful models to
simple phenomena.
C. Use representations to
describe phenomena.
D. Use representations to
generate evidence
E. Compare evidence generated
to accepted science models.
F. Describe ways to use
models to think about
science.
G. Use representations to
reflect on mechanisms of
how things work.
H. Share science concepts and
understanding with others
using representations.
I. Share science findings in
written and graphic
presentations to others.
3. Planning and
Carrying Out
Investigations
A. Describe how science
investigations contribute to
science explanations.
B. Make careful observations
that generate evidence.
C. Plan and design
investigations that generate
empirical evidence.
D. Control variables to develop a
fair test when doing
investigations.
E. Recognize patterns in
observations and data.
F. Consider other ways of
making observations.
G. Reflect on the way data is
collected and consider the
accuracy of various
methods.
H. Discuss and compare
observations with others
observing the same events.
I. Collaborate with others to
develop science investigations.
J. Seek information and ideas
from others doing similar
investigations.
K. Work collaboratively in science
investigations.
Copyright 2011 Essential Teaching and Learning
C. Reflecting on Scientific
Knowledge
D. Participate Productively in
Science
4. Analyzing and
Interpreting Data
A. Compare data to make
sense of and explain
phenomena.
B. Compare data and use
comparisons as evidence.
C. Reflect on the data in light
of others’ data about
similar investigations.
D. Analyze and share findings.
5. Using Mathematics A. Compare data
and Computational
quantitatively.
Thinking
B. Use mathematics to
compare explanations and
understand scale.
C. Make and use measurements
as evidence.
D. Compare evidence from
measurements.
E. Reflect on the accuracy of
measurements.
F. Use averages and graphs to
compare data.
G. Share findings and data using
tables, charts, and graphs.
6. Constructing
A. Explain science
Explanations
phenomena.
(Science) and
B. Compare multiple
Designing Solutions
explanations of the same
(Engineering)
science phenomena.
C. Explain science observations
using evidence.
D. Design a solution to a
problem and use evidence to
compare the advantages of
the design to other solutions.
E. Compare two or more
science explanations for an
observation.
F. Evaluate multiple
explanations used to
explain science
phenomena.
G. Share explanations with others.
H. Work collaboratively to
construct science explanations
and design solutions.
7. Engaging in
Argument from
Evidence
A. Describe the role of
evidence in science
explanations.
B. Relate the role of science
explanation to science
arguments.
C. Use evidence to support
ideas.
D. Use evidence to generate or
support explanations.
E. Use evidence to support
arguments about science
explanations and
phenomena.
F. Compare types of evidence.
G. Determine the best
evidence for a specific
argument.
H. Listen to others’ explanations.
I. Share the sources of
information used to support
arguments.
8. Obtaining,
Evaluating, and
Communicating
Information
A. Read and understand
science information.
B. Read and understand
science information from
multiple sources.
C. Describe information
gathered from multiple
sources.
D. Use appropriate terminology
and descriptions.
E. Gather and share information
using many forms of
communication.
F. Identify multiple sources of
information.
G. Compare science
information from multiple
sources.
H. Share science information with
others through written, oral,
and multi-media reports.
Copyright 2011 Essential Teaching and Learning