Skip Navigation
Search

History of Science

History of Science

TEKS Objective

The student is expected to connect grade-level appropriate science concepts with the history of science, science careers, and contributions of scientists.


Essential Understanding

The student knows that information, critical thinking, scientific problem solving, and the contributions of scientists are used in making decisions.

Science Background

History of the Philosophy of Science: Explorable.com (website) - Historical summary of the evolution of scientific thinking and endeavor over the course human civilization, from ancient philosophy to the modern process of doing science.

History of the Philosophy of Science
Explorable.com

Signature Lesson

Scientific Discoveries Timeline: timetoast.com (website) - Use the 21 events from 1543 to present to examine important discoveries. Have each student or teams of students research one of the events and share with the class.

Scientific Discoveries Timeline
timetoast.com

 

Supporting Lessons

In the News: How To Smile – In this activity, students learn about different scientists and write a news report about that scientist’s discovery.  More details on the lesson can be found by clicking the green “Go To Activity” button and scrolling down to page 9.

In the News
How To Smile, www.howtosmile.org

Elaboration Lessons and Extensions

Thomas Edison Timeline: Crayola (website) – Imagine a world without the inventions of Thomas Edison.   Students learn about his life, contributions and create a timeline.

Thomas Edison Timeline
Crayola, www.crayola.com

Assessment Ideas

Challenge students find science discoveries that have occurred during their lifetime.  Then, have them record these events in a timeline beginning at their birth date to the present.

Literature Connections

Arquimedes and the Door of Science, Bendick, Jeanne, ISBN-13: 978-1883937126

The Not-Quite World Famous Scientist, Hughes, Susan, ISBN-13: 978-1550416961

Book of Black Heroes: Scientists, Healers, and Inventors, Hudson, Wade, ISBN-13: 978-0940975972

Ext Women Scientists, Stille, Darlene, ISBN-13: 978-0516405858

Related Science TEKS

(3.1A) Science Safety
The student is expected to demonstrate safe practices as described in the Texas Safety Standards during classroom and outdoor investigations, including observing a schoolyard habitat.

(3.1B) Recycling/Disposal of Science Materials
The student is expected to make informed choices in the use and conservation of natural resources by recycling or reusing materials such as paper, aluminum cans, and plastics.

(3.2A) Plan and Implement Descriptive Investigation
The student is expected to plan and implement descriptive investigations, including asking and answering questions, making inferences, and selecting and using equipment or technology needed, to solve a specific problem in the natural world.

(3.2B) Collect Data
The student is expected to collect data by observing and measuring using the metric system and recognize differences between observed and measured data.

(3.2C) Graphs, Tables, Charts
The student is expected to construct maps, graphic organizers, simple tables, charts, and bar graphs using tools and current technology to organize, examine, and evaluate measured data.

(3.2D) Analyze Evidence and Explain
The student is expected to analyze and interpret patterns in data to construct reasonable explanations based on evidence from investigations.

(3.2E) Value of Repeated Experiments
The student is expected to demonstrate that repeated investigations may increase the reliability of results.

(3.2F) Communicate Conclusions
The student is expected to communicate valid conclusions supported by data in writing, by drawing pictures, and through verbal discussion.

(3.4A) Tools for Collecting and Analyzing Information
The student is expected to collect, record, and analyze information using tools, including microscopes, cameras, computers, hand lenses, metric rulers, Celsius thermometers, wind vanes, rain gauges, pan balances, graduated cylinders, beakers, spring scales, hot plates, meter sticks, compasses, magnets, collecting nets, notebooks, sound recorders, and Sun, Earth, and Moon system models; timing devices, including clocks and stopwatches; and materials to support observation of habitats of organisms such as terrariums and aquariums.

(3.4B) Safety Equipment
The student is expected to use safety equipment as appropriate, including safety goggles and gloves.

Related Math TEKS

3.13A  The student is expected to collect, organize, record, and display data in pictographs and bar graphs where each picture or cell might represent more than one piece of data.

3.13B  The student is expected to interpret information from pictographs and bar graphs.

Additional Resources

History of Physics: MIT (website) – Collection of links to different fields of physical sciences and famous experiments.

History of Physics
MIT, web.mit.edu

History of Chemistry: Le Moyne College (website) – Compilation of links to classic papers from the history of chemistry. Listed in alphabetical order and/or by topic.

History of Chemistry
Le Moyne College, web.lemoyne.edu

Close Comments Button

Comments

Post a Comment
Close Comments Button