Grade Level(s):
- 3-5
- 6-8
- 9-12
Source:
- PBS and WETA
Resource type:
- classroom activity
Discipline:
- Earth science
- Physical Sciences
Time: 1-6 hours
Overview
Ken Burns’s four-hour documentary, Benjamin Franklin, explores the revolutionary life of one of the 18th century’s most consequential figures. This STEM Activity Toolkit frames the context of the film series, and provides guidance for viewers to engage in discussions and activities around science, technology, engineering, and math.
- [What is science?: Grades 3-5] Scientists ask and address questions. (P1, P3, NOS4)
- [What is science?: Grades 3-5] Answering one question often leads to other questions. (P1)
- [What is science?: Grades 6-8] Science is ongoing; answering one scientific question frequently leads to additional questions to be investigated. (P1)
- [What is science?: Grades 9-12] Science is ongoing; answering one scientific question frequently leads to additional questions to be investigated. (P1)
- [How science works: Grades 3-5] Scientists observe, explore, discover, and communicate with one another.
- [How science works: Grades 6-8] The process of science involves observation, exploration, testing, communication, and application.
- [How science works: Grades 6-8] The real process of science is complex, iterative, and can take many different paths.
- [How science works: Grades 6-8] Scientists can test ideas about events and processes long past, very distant, and not directly observable.
- [How science works: Grades 9-12] The real process of science is complex, iterative, and can take many different paths.
- [How science works: Grades 9-12] The process of science involves observation, exploration, testing, communication, and application.
- [How science works: Grades 9-12] Scientists can test ideas about events and processes long past, very distant, and not directly observable.
- [The social side of science: Grades 9-12] Scientists are influenced by their personal experiences and cultures. (NOS7)
- [Science and society: Grades 9-12] Scientific research is often focused on topics with the potential to help meet societal needs.
- [What has science done for you lately: Grades 3-5] People benefit from knowledge gained through science.
- [What has science done for you lately: Grades 6-8] Science contributes to many different sorts of new technologies.
- [What has science done for you lately: Grades 9-12] Science contributes to many different sorts of new technologies.
- NOS Matrix understanding category 4. Scientific models, laws, mechanisms, and theories explain natural phenomena.
- Science and Engineering Practice 1. Asking questions and defining problems
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