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9th grade · Science · Unit 12 of 28

Science & Society

Trade-offs, unexpected effects and science careers.

What your child practices

Practices weighing the costs and benefits of technologies, spotting unforeseen consequences, taking action on science issues, and linking science to careers and hobbies.

New York State Learning Standards learning standard: HS-ETS1-3; HS-ESS3-2 · weighing the costs, benefits and trade-offs of technologies and energy solutions

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. Every technology has costs and benefits, and sometimes unforeseen consequences.
  2. The best solution weighs people, money and the environment, not just cost.
  3. Science is used in many careers and hobbies, such as farming, cooking and engineering.

Example: A cheap solution pollutes a river. Is it likely the best overall? It costs little money. But it harms the environment. Answer: no

Science & Society in New York

In the New York State Learning Standards, this is unit 12 of 28 in 9th grade Science, after Circuits & Ohm's Law and before Ecosystem Dynamics.

Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.

Source: New York State Education Department (NYSED)

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    A paleontologist studies…

    • fossils
    • computers
    • stars

  2. Question 2

    Which is an advantage of electric vehicles?

    • they produce no exhaust while driving
    • they need no batteries
    • they need no electricity

  3. Question 3

    Taking class action on a local environmental issue is an example of…

    • avoiding the issue
    • copying a lab report
    • applying science to your community

  4. Question 4

    A farmer might use science to…

    • design software only
    • choose crops, manage soil and control pests
    • write laws

  5. Question 5

    Technology designed to help people can sometimes have…

    • no effect
    • unforeseen consequences
    • only good effects

  6. Question 6

    Which of these is an ethical question about technology?

    • Is it fair if only some communities get the benefits?
    • How heavy is it?
    • Is the box blue?

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