Mississippi Science FSL.3D.4
The Standard
- FSL.3D
- Students will apply scientific literacy and thinking skills to evaluate theoretical models, inferences, and experimental results found in various experimental designs including, but not limited to, those found in sample ACT science passages.
Use new information to make a prediction based on a theoretical model.
2026 Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Science · Nature of Science
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students use a model to predict what will happen when they learn something new about a situation. They explain how the new information changes the prediction.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Given a model and a new measurement or condition, a student predicts a specific outcome. They show which part of the model they used and state any assumption their prediction depends on.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may repeat an earlier prediction even when an input changes. They may treat a model's prediction as a guaranteed result, or call something they have already observed a prediction.
How to Assess It
- Give this exit ticket: A spring stretches 2 cm under a 1 N force. If a linear spring model applies and the force increases to 3 N, how far will it stretch? Explain.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Measure a spring's stretch under two washers, then tell pairs three more washers will be added and have them predict and test the stretch.
Post F = kx and ask: If the spring's stiffness doubles while force stays fixed, what happens to its stretch?
Give teams force and stiffness cards; have them calculate spring stretch using F = kx, then check their predictions against an answer key.
Show one car suspension spring labeled 100 N/cm, then ask how much an extra 200 N load compresses it.
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Printable FSL.3D.4 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to FSL.3D.4, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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Related Standards
- E.1.9A.2
Develop and use models to predict weather conditions associated with seasonal patterns and changes.
- P.5.6.2
Predict the future motion of various objects based on past observation and measurement of position, direction, and speed.
- FSL.3B.5
Analyze presented information when given new information (e.g., given a new scenario, how would a given scenario be changed).
- FSL.3D.5
Select and explain why a hypothesis, prediction, or conclusion is, or is not, supported by two or more data presentations or theoretical models.
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