Florida SC.5.N.1.2
The Standard
Explain the difference between an experiment and other types of scientific investigation.
Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for Science
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students decide whether an investigation tests the effect of a deliberately changed variable. They distinguish that process from observing, describing, comparing, or collecting data without changing conditions.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students correctly classify investigation scenarios and explain their choices using evidence. For an experiment, they can name the changed variable, the measured result, and conditions kept the same.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may call every hands-on activity or data collection task an experiment. They may also think an experiment must use lab equipment or that observations cannot be scientific investigations.
How to Assess It
- Give this exit prompt: “A class records daily pond temperatures for one month. Is this an experiment or another investigation? Explain using the idea of variables.”
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Have groups observe ice melting, then test whether salt changes melting time while keeping cube size and location constant.
Ask, “Does counting birds at a feeder count as an experiment?” Students write a claim and explain whether a variable was deliberately changed.
Play a scenario card sort where teams label each case experiment or other investigation, then earn points for accurate evidence.
Compare weather scientists recording hurricane paths with farmers testing two fertilizers, focusing on what conditions each scientist deliberately changes.
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Printable SC.5.N.1.2 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to SC.5.N.1.2, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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Related Standards
- SC.6.N.1.3
Explain the difference between an experiment and other types of scientific investigation, and explain the relative benefits and limitations of each.
- SC.5.N.1.5
Recognize and explain that authentic scientific investigation frequently does not parallel the steps of "the scientific method."
- SC.7.N.1.3
Distinguish between an experiment (which must involve the identification and control of variables) and other forms of scientific investigation and explain that ...
- SC.6.N.2.1
Distinguish science from other activities involving thought.
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