Exploration: Entering the World of Secondary Science: common misconceptions

If your child says… “Feeling certain makes my prediction scientific.”

Ask together

What observation supports your prediction?

What’s true

Confidence alone supplies no evidence.

If your child says… “A model must include everything.”

Ask together

Does leaving out continents prevent us from following this place into sunlight?

What’s true

The question decides which details matter.

If your child says… “A scientific theory is just a guess.”

Ask together

Why does the diagram connect Theory to Evidence?

What’s true

A scientific theory is an explanation supported by careful tests and evidence gathered so far.

If your child says… “Work means the same thing everywhere.”

Ask together

Where did the book move?

What’s true

Everyday effort and physics work can differ.

If your child says… “I can swap units without changing the number.”

Ask together

Do pounds and kilograms represent equal amounts?

What’s true

Changing units can change the number describing an amount.

If your child says… “Any rough number counts.”

Ask together

What did you use to choose that amount?

What’s true

An estimate needs reasons for the amounts used.

If your child says… “Each problem belongs to one science.”

Ask together

Which subject alone covers fabric, airflow and germs?

What’s true

Testing masks connects knowledge about germs, materials and airflow.