In this unit, Using Science Knowledge, Grade 5 children have another opportunity to move to competency in science literacy. Students in Grade 5 focus on science teamwork, dealing with analogies, science and mathematics, and the importance of knowing science for becoming an educated citizen. Students examine the interface of science with all aspects of human learning, such as career choices, engineering design, and evaluating case studies. This unit helps students understand that science is one aspect of making sense of the world we live in.

The Using Science Knowledge unit draws upon the science content presented in the Grade 5 Core Knowledge unit offerings. They will focus on understanding the uses of background knowledge and new information for decision-making. Problem-solving students will become familiar with such concepts as:

• What makes and explanation scientific?
• Using data wisely.
• How do we compare design solutions?
• Correlation verse causality.
• How do we optimize a solution?

These important concepts are tied to other aspects of human knowledge and endeavors such as evaluating folklore explanations, ecology and environment, mathematics and graphing, understanding the relative nature of large and small, and engineering. Core Knowledge Foundation is committed to a broad view of the term science literacy and to curricula that fosters science literacy in students incrementally over time.