Florida State Standards for Science: Grade 3

FL.SC.3.N. Nature of Science

SC.3.N.1. The Practice of Science - A: Scientific inquiry is a multifaceted activity; The processes of science include the formulation of scientifically investigable questions, construction of investigations into those questions, the collection of appropriate data, the evaluation of the meaning of those data, and the communication of this evaluation. B: The processes of science frequently do not correspond to the traditional portrayal of ''the scientific method.'' C: Scientific argumentation is a necessary part of scientific inquiry and plays an important role in the generation and validation of scientific knowledge. D: Scientific knowledge is based on observation and inference; it is important to recognize that these are very different things. Not only does science require creativity in its methods and processes, but also in its questions and explanations.

SC.3.N.1.1. Raise questions about the natural world, investigate them individually and in teams through free exploration and systematic investigations, and generate appropriate explanations based on those explorations. 34
Suggested Titles for Florida Science State Standard SC.3.N.1.1.

SC.3.N.1.2. Compare the observations made by different groups using the same tools and seek reasons to explain the differences across groups. 34
Suggested Titles for Florida Science State Standard SC.3.N.1.2.

SC.3.N.1.3. Keep records as appropriate, such as pictorial, written, or simple charts and graphs, of investigations conducted. 15
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SC.3.N.1.4. Recognize the importance of communication among scientists. 7
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SC.3.N.1.5. Recognize that scientists question, discuss, and check each others' evidence and explanations. 6
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SC.3.N.1.6. Infer based on observation. 11
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SC.3.N.1.7. Explain that empirical evidence is information, such as observations or measurements, that is used to help validate explanations of natural phenomena. 8
Suggested Titles for Florida Science State Standard SC.3.N.1.7.

SC.3.N.3. The Role of Theories, Laws, Hypotheses, and Models - The terms that describe examples of scientific knowledge, for example; ''theory,'' ''law,'' ''hypothesis,'' and ''model'' have very specific meanings and functions within science.

SC.3.N.3.1. Recognize that words in science can have different or more specific meanings than their use in everyday language; for example, energy, cell, heat/cold, and evidence. 7
Suggested Titles for Florida Science State Standard SC.3.N.3.1.

SC.3.N.3.2. Recognize that scientists use models to help understand and explain how things work. 7
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SC.3.N.3.3. Recognize that all models are approximations of natural phenomena; as such, they do not perfectly account for all observations. 10
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FL.SC.3.E. Earth and Space Science

SC.3.E.5. Earth in Space and Time - Humans continue to explore Earth's place in space. Gravity and energy influence the formation of galaxies, including our own Milky Way Galaxy, stars, the Solar System, and Earth. Humankind's need to explore continues to lead to the development of knowledge and understanding of our Solar System.

SC.3.E.5.1. Explain that stars can be different; some are smaller, some are larger, and some appear brighter than others; all except the Sun are so far away that they look like points of light. 5
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SC.3.E.5.2. Identify the Sun as a star that emits energy; some of it in the form of light. 7
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SC.3.E.5.3. Recognize that the Sun appears large and bright because it is the closest star to Earth. 5
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SC.3.E.5.4. Explore the Law of Gravity by demonstrating that gravity is a force that can be overcome. 12
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SC.3.E.5.5. Investigate that the number of stars that can be seen through telescopes is dramatically greater than those seen by the unaided eye. 9
Suggested Titles for Florida Science State Standard SC.3.E.5.5.

SC.3.E.6. Earth Structures - Humans continue to explore the composition and structure of the surface of Earth. External sources of energy have continuously altered the features of Earth by means of both constructive and destructive forces. All life, including human civilization, is dependent on Earth's water and natural resources.

SC.3.E.6.1. Demonstrate that radiant energy from the Sun can heat objects and when the Sun is not present, heat may be lost. 5
Suggested Titles for Florida Science State Standard SC.3.E.6.1.

FL.SC.3.P. Physical Science

SC.3.P.8. Properties of Matter - A. All objects and substances in the world are made of matter. Matter has two fundamental properties: matter takes up space and matter has mass. B. Objects and substances can be classified by their physical and chemical properties. Mass is the amount of matter (or ''stuff'') in an object. Weight, on the other hand, is the measure of force of attraction (gravitational force) between an object and Earth. The concepts of mass and weight are complicated and potentially confusing to elementary students. Hence, the more familiar term of ''weight'' is recommended for use to stand for both mass and weight in grades K-5. By grades 6-8, students are expected to understand the distinction between mass and weight, and use them appropriately.

SC.3.P.8.1. Measure and compare temperatures of various samples of solids and liquids. 9
Suggested Titles for Florida Science State Standard SC.3.P.8.1.

SC.3.P.8.2. Measure and compare the mass and volume of solids and liquids. 5
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SC.3.P.8.3. Compare materials and objects according to properties such as size, shape, color, texture, and hardness. 3
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SC.3.P.9. Changes in Matter - A. Matter can undergo a variety of changes. B. Matter can be changed physically or chemically.

SC.3.P.9.1. Describe the changes water undergoes when it changes state through heating and cooling by using familiar scientific terms such as melting, freezing, boiling, evaporation, and condensation. 11
Suggested Titles for Florida Science State Standard SC.3.P.9.1.

SC.3.P.10. Forms of Energy - A. Energy is involved in all physical processes and is a unifying concept in many areas of science. B. Energy exists in many forms and has the ability to do work or cause a change.

SC.3.P.10.1. Identify some basic forms of energy such as light, heat, sound, electrical, and mechanical. 9
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SC.3.P.10.2. Recognize that energy has the ability to cause motion or create change. 7
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SC.3.P.10.3. Demonstrate that light travels in a straight line until it strikes an object or travels from one medium to another. 7
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SC.3.P.10.4. Demonstrate that light can be reflected, refracted, and absorbed. 6
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SC.3.P.11. Energy Transfer and Transformations - A. Waves involve a transfer of energy without a transfer of matter. B. Water and sound waves transfer energy through a material. C. Light waves can travel through a vacuum and through matter.

SC.3.P.11.1. Investigate, observe, and explain that things that give off light often also give off heat. 9
Suggested Titles for Florida Science State Standard SC.3.P.11.1.

SC.3.P.11.2. Investigate, observe, and explain that heat is produced when one object rubs against another, such as rubbing one's hands together. 9
Suggested Titles for Florida Science State Standard SC.3.P.11.2.

FL.SC.3.L. Life Science

SC.3.L.14. Organization and Development of Living Organisms - A. All plants and animals, including humans, are alike in some ways and different in others. B. All plants and animals, including humans, have internal parts and external structures that function to keep them alive and help them grow and reproduce. C. Humans can better understand the natural world through careful observation.

SC.3.L.14.1. Describe structures in plants and their roles in food production, support, water and nutrient transport, and reproduction. 15
Suggested Titles for Florida Science State Standard SC.3.L.14.1.

SC.3.L.14.2. Investigate and describe how plants respond to stimuli (heat, light, gravity), such as the way plant stems grow toward light and their roots grow downward in response to gravity. 15
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SC.3.L.15. Diversity and Evolution of Living Organisms - A. Earth is home to a great diversity of living things, but changes in the environment can affect their survival. B. Individuals of the same kind often differ in their characteristics and sometimes the differences give individuals an advantage in surviving and reproducing.

SC.3.L.15.1. Classify animals into major groups (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, arthropods, vertebrates and invertebrates, those having live births and those which lay eggs) according to their physical characteristics and behaviors. 30
Suggested Titles for Florida Science State Standard SC.3.L.15.1.

SC.3.L.15.2. Classify flowering and nonflowering plants into major groups such as those that produce seeds, or those like ferns and mosses that produce spores, according to their physical characteristics. 6
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SC.3.L.17. Interdependence - A. Plants and animals, including humans, interact with and depend upon each other and their environment to satisfy their basic needs. B. Both human activities and natural events can have major impacts on the environment. C. Energy flows from the sun through producers to consumers.

SC.3.L.17.1. Describe how animals and plants respond to changing seasons. 5
Suggested Titles for Florida Science State Standard SC.3.L.17.1.

SC.3.L.17.2. Recognize that plants use energy from the Sun, air, and water to make their own food. 17
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