SC.2.N.1.2

Compare the observations made by different groups using the same tools.
General Information
Subject Area: Science
Grade: 2
Body of Knowledge: Nature of Science
Idea: Level 2: Basic Application of Skills & Concepts
Big Idea: The Practice of Science -

A: Scientific inquiry is a multifaceted activity; The processes of science include the formulation of scientifically investigable questions, construction of investigations into those questions, the collection of appropriate data, the evaluation of the meaning of those data, and the communication of this evaluation.

B: The processes of science frequently do not correspond to the traditional portrayal of "the scientific method."

C: Scientific argumentation is a necessary part of scientific inquiry and plays an important role in the generation and validation of scientific knowledge.

D: Scientific knowledge is based on observation and inference; it is important to recognize that these are very different things. Not only does science require creativity in its methods and processes, but also in its questions and explanations.

Date Adopted or Revised: 02/08
Date of Last Rating: 05/08
Status: State Board Approved

Related Courses

This benchmark is part of these courses.
5020030: Science - Grade Two (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
7720030: Access Science Grade 2 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
5020090: STEM Lab Grade 2 (Specifically in versions: 2016 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))

Related Access Points

Alternate version of this benchmark for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
SC.2.N.1.In.2: Identify information about objects based on observation.
SC.2.N.1.Su.2: Identify characteristics of objects based on observation.
SC.2.N.1.Pa.2: Use senses to recognize objects.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Lesson Plans

Not Easy Being Green:

Students will apply their understanding that materials’ properties can change, to explain why objects made of copper typically turn green over time. From the Statue of Liberty to pennies, students will know that when copper is exposed to air it will eventually turn green in this integrated lesson plan.

Type: Lesson Plan

Taking Flight:

Students will explore airplanes in this project-based lesson/unit with multiple lessons that are all tied to a final project.

Type: Lesson Plan

What Goes Up Must Come Down! :

This is a second grade science lesson that incorporates math, science, and engineering as students work in collaborative groups to investigate gravity using real-world situations.

Students will investigate the following problem:
How can you design an invention that keeps a balloon in the air instead of letting it be pulled to the ground by gravity? Can you keep your balloon in the air longer than the other teams?

Type: Lesson Plan

Nature Journaling:

This is a detailed lesson plan for introducing the importance of detail accuracy through nature journaling. Students will find a leaf, flower and insect to draw in their nature journals. From this lesson the students will conclude that it is important to pay attention to detail when observing and identifying objects in nature.

Type: Lesson Plan

If the Shoe Fits...:

In this lesson, students will create line plots based on linear measurements that they collect while participating in the practice of scientific inquiry.

Type: Lesson Plan

Model Paper Airplane Kits for Sale?:

In this Model Eliciting Activity (MEA), students are being asked to evaluate a Paper Airplane Kit that will be sold in a Model and Toy shop. Students are being asked to provide the store owner with their thoughts as to which kit they think would sell the best and leave customers happy with their purchase.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. MEAs resemble engineering problems and encourage students to create solutions in the form of mathematical and scientific models. Students work in teams to apply their knowledge of science and mathematics to solve an open-ended problem while considering constraints and tradeoffs. Students integrate their ELA skills into MEAs as they are asked to clearly document their thought processes. MEAs follow a problem-based, student-centered approach to learning, where students are encouraged to grapple with the problem while the teacher acts as a facilitator. To learn more about MEAs visit: https://www.cpalms.org/cpalms/mea.aspx

Type: Lesson Plan

Mac-N-Chz Please!!:

This MEA (Model Eliciting Activity) is written at a second grade level. In teams of 3-4, students will help determine which Mac-N-Chz Carrot Grocery should stock on their shelves by reviewing sets of data provided on taste, healthiness, cost and cheese content.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. MEAs resemble engineering problems and encourage students to create solutions in the form of mathematical and scientific models. Students work in teams to apply their knowledge of science and mathematics to solve an open-ended problem while considering constraints and tradeoffs. Students integrate their ELA skills into MEAs as they are asked to clearly document their thought processes. MEAs follow a problem-based, student-centered approach to learning, where students are encouraged to grapple with the problem while the teacher acts as a facilitator. To learn more about MEAs visit: https://www.cpalms.org/cpalms/mea.aspx

Type: Lesson Plan

Is It Hot In The Light?:

In this activity, students will make observations that things in direct sunlight are warmer than things that are not in as much sunlight. Also, they may notice that there may be more heat near asphalt, brick, or cement because heat can be stored and radiated from these materials.

Type: Lesson Plan

Rocks, Rocks, Everywhere:

The students will be able to sort rocks based upon color, hardness, texture, layering and particle size.

Type: Lesson Plan

Investigating Local Ecosystems:

This lesson provides students with opportunities to investigate the habitats of local plants and animals and explore some of the ways animals depend on plants and each other.

Type: Lesson Plan

Effect of Shape on Volume:

The students will learn that volume is not affected by a container's shape.

Type: Lesson Plan

If the Shoe Fits...:

In this lesson, students will create pictographs or bar graphs based on linear measurements that they collect while participating in the practice of scientific inquiry.

Type: Lesson Plan

Original Student Tutorials

Comparing Observations Using Tally Marks Part 2:

Join a class of students as they record and compare observations made during nature walks in the woods near their school. You will interpret data represented with tally marks and compare observations made by different groups in this interactive S.T.E.M. tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Comparing Observations Using Tables Part 2:

Join a class of students as they record and compare observations made during nature walks in the woods near their school. You will interpret data represented in tables and compare observations made by different groups in this interactive S.T.E.M. tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Comparing Observations Using Tally Marks Part 1:

Join a class of students as they record and compare observations made during nature walks in the woods near their school. You will interpret data represented with tally marks and compare observations made by different groups in this interactive S.T.E.M. tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Comparing Observations Using Tables Part 1:

Learn to record and compare observations a group of students made during nature walks in the woods near their school.  You will interpret data represented in tables and compare observations made by different groups in this interactive S.T.E.M. tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Comparing Observations Using Pictographs Part 1:

Join a class of students as they record and compare observations made during nature walks in the woods near their school.  You will interpret data represented as pictographs and compare observations made by different groups in this interactive S.T.E.M. tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Comparing Observations Using Pictographs Part 2:

Join a class of students as they record and compare observations made during nature walks in the woods near their school.  You will interpret data represented as pictographs and compare observations made by different groups in this interactive S.T.E.M. tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Comparing Observations Using Bar Graphs Part 2:

Join a class of students as they record and compare observations made during nature walks in the woods near their school.  You will interpret data represented as bar graphs and compare observations made by different groups in this interactive S.T.E.M. tutorial.

This is part 2 of 2-part series, click HERE to view part 1.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Comparing Observations Using Bar Graphs Part 1:

Learn to interpret data represented as bar graphs and compare observations made by different groups of students during nature walks with this interactive S.T.E.M. tutorial.

This is part 1 of 2-part series, click HERE to view part 2.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Teaching Ideas

A Slick Operation: Oil Spill Lab-SeaWorld Classroom Activity:

In this activity, given selected materials, the students will be able to demonstrate and discuss the effects of oil on a bird's feathers and discuss a variety of ways humans might be able to remove it.

Type: Teaching Idea

Investigating Motion With Marbles:

In this guided inquiry activity, students will use 2 marbles of different size and a box to investigate what makes the marbles move and what will cause the marbles to change speed and direction.

Type: Teaching Idea

Investigating Oobleck: Solid or Liquid?:

The students will make their own predictions and conclusions on whether Oobleck is a solid or liquid by using focus observations, conducting focus explorations, raising questions, clarifying questions, and making conclusions about Oobleck.

Type: Teaching Idea

Solid and Liquid Stations:

Students investigate the properties of solids and liquids.

Type: Teaching Idea

Sports Equipment - What Kind of Force?:

Children discuss, observe and "play" with equipment used in familiar sports. They discuss how the equipment is used and predict how the equipment is put into motion or stopped from continuing to be in motion.

Type: Teaching Idea

What Makes Things Move?:

Students will use an inquiry based approach to discover how things move. They will discover that a push and a pull are forces that put things into motion. They will also investigate how friction is a force that slows a moving object.

Type: Teaching Idea

Wiggly Worms:

In this inquiry-based worms lesson, students will compare and contrast red worms and earthworms through exploration (magnifying glasses provided) and a read-aloud.

Type: Teaching Idea

Unit/Lesson Sequences

Matter: Solids:

In this unit, properties of matter are introduced and solids are explored. Exposure to the engineering design process synthesizes information learned about solids and asks students to create a homemade play dough recipe.

Type: Unit/Lesson Sequence

Parts of the Human Body:

In this unit, students explore the major parts of the body in different stations. An engineering design process lesson allows students to design and construct a helmet that protects the "main computer" for your body: the brain.

Type: Unit/Lesson Sequence

Water and Wind in Weather:

This unit builds on concepts learned in the "Weather Measure" resource for Grade 2. Students are introduced to evaporation and wind. "Windmills" synthesizes information about how wind can move objects by engaging students in the engineering design process in a project that calls for the design and construction of a functioning windmill that can lift a weighted cup.

Type: Unit/Lesson Sequence

Soil Composition and Classification:

This unit builds on the previous lessons about rocks to explore soil. Different types of soil samples are observed, classified by various attributes, and manipulated by adding water. Finally, the "Cement" lesson involves synthesis of information learned from previous lessons in an engineering design lab that asks students to build a wall from their own mortar mixture creation that will withstand the force of a rolling ball.

Type: Unit/Lesson Sequence

Weather Measure:

In this unit, students learn about meteorology and act as meteorologists, predict and take temperature measurements, and create a severe weather preparedness plan.

Type: Unit/Lesson Sequence

STEM Lessons - Model Eliciting Activity

Mac-N-Chz Please!!:

This MEA (Model Eliciting Activity) is written at a second grade level. In teams of 3-4, students will help determine which Mac-N-Chz Carrot Grocery should stock on their shelves by reviewing sets of data provided on taste, healthiness, cost and cheese content.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. MEAs resemble engineering problems and encourage students to create solutions in the form of mathematical and scientific models. Students work in teams to apply their knowledge of science and mathematics to solve an open-ended problem while considering constraints and tradeoffs. Students integrate their ELA skills into MEAs as they are asked to clearly document their thought processes. MEAs follow a problem-based, student-centered approach to learning, where students are encouraged to grapple with the problem while the teacher acts as a facilitator. To learn more about MEAs visit: https://www.cpalms.org/cpalms/mea.aspx

Model Paper Airplane Kits for Sale?:

In this Model Eliciting Activity (MEA), students are being asked to evaluate a Paper Airplane Kit that will be sold in a Model and Toy shop. Students are being asked to provide the store owner with their thoughts as to which kit they think would sell the best and leave customers happy with their purchase.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. MEAs resemble engineering problems and encourage students to create solutions in the form of mathematical and scientific models. Students work in teams to apply their knowledge of science and mathematics to solve an open-ended problem while considering constraints and tradeoffs. Students integrate their ELA skills into MEAs as they are asked to clearly document their thought processes. MEAs follow a problem-based, student-centered approach to learning, where students are encouraged to grapple with the problem while the teacher acts as a facilitator. To learn more about MEAs visit: https://www.cpalms.org/cpalms/mea.aspx

Original Student Tutorials Science - Grades K-8

Comparing Observations Using Bar Graphs Part 1:

Learn to interpret data represented as bar graphs and compare observations made by different groups of students during nature walks with this interactive S.T.E.M. tutorial.

This is part 1 of 2-part series, click HERE to view part 2.

Comparing Observations Using Bar Graphs Part 2:

Join a class of students as they record and compare observations made during nature walks in the woods near their school.  You will interpret data represented as bar graphs and compare observations made by different groups in this interactive S.T.E.M. tutorial.

This is part 2 of 2-part series, click HERE to view part 1.

Comparing Observations Using Pictographs Part 1:

Join a class of students as they record and compare observations made during nature walks in the woods near their school.  You will interpret data represented as pictographs and compare observations made by different groups in this interactive S.T.E.M. tutorial.

Comparing Observations Using Pictographs Part 2:

Join a class of students as they record and compare observations made during nature walks in the woods near their school.  You will interpret data represented as pictographs and compare observations made by different groups in this interactive S.T.E.M. tutorial.

Comparing Observations Using Tables Part 1:

Learn to record and compare observations a group of students made during nature walks in the woods near their school.  You will interpret data represented in tables and compare observations made by different groups in this interactive S.T.E.M. tutorial.

Comparing Observations Using Tables Part 2:

Join a class of students as they record and compare observations made during nature walks in the woods near their school. You will interpret data represented in tables and compare observations made by different groups in this interactive S.T.E.M. tutorial.

Comparing Observations Using Tally Marks Part 1:

Join a class of students as they record and compare observations made during nature walks in the woods near their school. You will interpret data represented with tally marks and compare observations made by different groups in this interactive S.T.E.M. tutorial.

Comparing Observations Using Tally Marks Part 2:

Join a class of students as they record and compare observations made during nature walks in the woods near their school. You will interpret data represented with tally marks and compare observations made by different groups in this interactive S.T.E.M. tutorial.

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Original Student Tutorials

Comparing Observations Using Tally Marks Part 2:

Join a class of students as they record and compare observations made during nature walks in the woods near their school. You will interpret data represented with tally marks and compare observations made by different groups in this interactive S.T.E.M. tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Comparing Observations Using Tables Part 2:

Join a class of students as they record and compare observations made during nature walks in the woods near their school. You will interpret data represented in tables and compare observations made by different groups in this interactive S.T.E.M. tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Comparing Observations Using Tally Marks Part 1:

Join a class of students as they record and compare observations made during nature walks in the woods near their school. You will interpret data represented with tally marks and compare observations made by different groups in this interactive S.T.E.M. tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Comparing Observations Using Tables Part 1:

Learn to record and compare observations a group of students made during nature walks in the woods near their school.  You will interpret data represented in tables and compare observations made by different groups in this interactive S.T.E.M. tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Comparing Observations Using Pictographs Part 1:

Join a class of students as they record and compare observations made during nature walks in the woods near their school.  You will interpret data represented as pictographs and compare observations made by different groups in this interactive S.T.E.M. tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Comparing Observations Using Pictographs Part 2:

Join a class of students as they record and compare observations made during nature walks in the woods near their school.  You will interpret data represented as pictographs and compare observations made by different groups in this interactive S.T.E.M. tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Comparing Observations Using Bar Graphs Part 2:

Join a class of students as they record and compare observations made during nature walks in the woods near their school.  You will interpret data represented as bar graphs and compare observations made by different groups in this interactive S.T.E.M. tutorial.

This is part 2 of 2-part series, click HERE to view part 1.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Comparing Observations Using Bar Graphs Part 1:

Learn to interpret data represented as bar graphs and compare observations made by different groups of students during nature walks with this interactive S.T.E.M. tutorial.

This is part 1 of 2-part series, click HERE to view part 2.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.