Standards
Nebraska Science Standards
December 26, 2002
Grades 2-4
In the intermediate grades, students learn science concepts, vocabulary, and inquiry skills at their developmental level.
Students should develop knowledge and process skills while engaged in science inquiry. They should ask simple
questions, design and conduct investigations (in the form of a “fair” test), and present their results to others.
4.1 Unifying Concepts and Processes
Unifying concepts and processes help students think about and integrate a range of basic ideas which builds an
understanding of the natural world.
4.1.1 By the end of fourth grade, students will develop an understanding of systems, order, and organization.
Example Indicators
• Describe the parts that make up a system.
• Relate how the parts of a system affect the whole system.
4.1.2 By the end of fourth grade, students will develop an understanding of evidence, models, and explanation.
Example Indicators
• Use evidence gathered from an investigation to develop a scientific explanation.
• Create a model, graph, or illustration that represents an object, living thing, or an event.
• Explain and answer questions about a model and how it represents an object, living thing, or an event.
• Explain procedures or ideas in more than one way (e.g., sketches, charts, and graphs).
4.1.3 By the end of fourth grade, students will develop an understanding of change, constancy, and measurement.
Example Indicators
• Describe observable changes (e.g., speed, pattern, shape, position, and size).
• Measure a change using appropriate tools and units of measurement.
4.1.4 By the end of fourth grade, students will develop an understanding of form and function.
Example Indicator
• Construct a device to perform a simple task and explain how it works.
4.2 Science As Inquiry
Science as inquiry requires students to combine processes and scientific knowledge with scientific reasoning and
critical thinking to develop their understanding of science.
4.2.1 By the end of fourth grade, students will develop the abilities needed to do scientific inquiry.
Example Indicators
• Ask a question about objects, organisms, and events in their surroundings.
• Plan and conduct a simple investigation.
• Use simple equipment and tools (e.g., thermometers and scales) to gather data and extend the senses.
• Use data develop reasonable explanations.
• Communicate procedures, results, and explanations of an investigation.
Nebraska Science Standards December 26, 2002 9
4.3 Physical Science
Physical science focuses on the science facts, concepts, principles, theories, and models that are important for all
students to know, understand, and use.
4.3.1 By the end of fourth grade, students will develop an understanding of the characteristics of objects and
materials.
Example Indicators
• Classify objects by observable characteristics (shape, size, and color).
• Compare and contrast characteristics of common materials using tools (e.g., rulers, scales, thermometers,
microscopes, and hand lenses).
• Demonstrate that materials can change from solid to liquid to gas by heating and from gas to liquid to solid by
cooling.
4.3.2 By the end of fourth grade, students will develop an understanding of the position and motion of objects.
Example Indicators
• Use reference points to describe the position of an object.
• Describe an object’s motion by tracing its position over time.
• Demonstrate that the position and motion of objects can be changed by pushing or pulling.
• Demonstrate how sound is produced when objects vibrate.
• Change the pitch of sound by changing the rate of vibration.
4.3.3 By the end of fourth grade, students will develop an understanding of light, heat, electricity, and magnetism.
Example Indicators
• Distinguish between reflection and refraction of light.
• Identify ways in which heat can be produced (e.g., burning, rubbing, or mixing one substance with another).
• Demonstrate heat can flow from one object to another by conduction.
• Use electricity to produce heat, sound or magnetic effects.
• Demonstrate electrical circuits require a complete loop through which an electrical current can pass.
• Describe the physical properties of magnets.
4.4 Life Science
Life science focuses on the science facts, concepts, principles, theories, and models that are important for all
students to know, understand, and use.
4.4.1 By the end of fourth grade, students will develop an understanding of the characteristics of living things.
Example Indicators
• Describe the differences between plants and animals.
• Describe the various structures of plants and animals necessary for survival and reproduction.
• Describe how internal stimuli (e.g., hunger) and external stimuli (e.g., changes in the environment) affect behavior
of living things.
4.4.2 By the end of fourth grade, students will develop an understanding of the life cycles of living things.
Example Indicators
• Describe the life cycle of an organism.
• Identify inherited characteristics of living things (e.g., color and number of eyes).
• Identify learned characteristics of living things (e.g., language or hunting for food).