Key terms used throughout the Science IS website.
BSC: Building Science Concepts, a series of books published by Ministry of Education for curriculum levels 1—4. These books are designed to help teachers to build students’ understandings from simple to more complex scientific ideas.
convincing case: supporting a scientific explanation with observations (made as a result of a scientific investigation).
critically: characterised by careful and exact evaluation and justified judgment.
DSSA investigation focus: an idea about classroom science that teachers can use when planning, and to guide student investigations.
investigation: a way that students can explore a science idea, includes formulating appropriate questions, choosing an approach and method, using practical skills; and locating and using reference material.
NoS theme: an idea about the nature of science.
science concept: a current scientific explanation used to understand the world around us, for example: all matter is composed of small, moving particles. Also see science knowledge.
scientific explanation: a science idea supported by observations (made as a result of a scientific investigation) but not yet accepted as science knowledge, that is, the explanation has not been peer-reviewed.
science idea: a (new) way of thinking about the world around us. In the NoS themes; a science idea is a way of thinking considered by scientists — but not yet supported by scientific investigation.
science knowledge: a peer-reviewed and widely-accepted scientific explanation of the world around us, synonymous with the BSC ‘science concept’.
observations: the recorded results of an investigation. This may include measurements made as a result of a process carried out, or references to existing science knowledge.
phenomenon: an event/response/change, for example an aurora; increase in pulse rate during exercise; process of converting ice to water.
prediction: a statement of what might be observed during an investigation, based on the proposed science idea and existing science knowledge.