VELAMMAL GLOBAL SCHOOL 2024-2025

GRADE 5 - UNIT OF INQUIRY

Unit of Inquiry: 4

Transdisciplinary Theme: How The World Works

Central Idea: Scientific knowledge is continuously changing and has an impact on people’s lives.

Lines of Inquiry:

1.​ Evolution of scientific advancements over the years.

2.​ Role of Technology in scientific understanding.
3.​ Effects of advancement in technology on people and the environment.

●​ Form- Explore the structure and characteristics of various scientific discoveries and technological
advancements.
●​ Change- Investigate how scientific advancements have transformed human lives and the
Specified Concepts: environment.
●​ Responsibility- Reflect on the ethical considerations and responsibilities tied to the use of
scientific knowledge and technology.
 ●​ Technology
Additional Concepts: ●​ AI
●​ Discovery
●​ Innovation

●​ Principled: Demonstrate ethical decision-making by exploring the responsibility associated with

scientific advancements.
●​ Inquirers: Cultivate curiosity to explore the evolution of scientific knowledge and technological
Learner Profile Attributes: innovations.
●​ Knowledgeable: Gain an in-depth understanding of how advancements in science impact people
and the environment.
●​ Risk-Takers: Approach unfamiliar scientific concepts and technologies with courage and a
willingness to experiment.

●​ Research Skills - Learners will formulate and plan investigations on the evolution of scientific
advancements.
●​ Thinking Skills - Learners will analyze the interplay between scientific progress and societal
changes.
Approaches to Learning ●​ Self-Management Skills - Learners will set goals for responsible consumption and interaction with
technology.

Learning Outcomes: 1. Learners will identify different scientific advancements and technological innovations. ​
2. Learners will understand basic scientific concepts related to technology and its applications. ​
3. Learners will describe the role of technology in enhancing scientific understanding. ​
4. Learners will explain one way scientific advancements have impacted society or the environment. ​
5. Learners will explore the evolution of scientific knowledge and advancements over time. ​
6. Learners will investigate the effects of technological advancements on people’s lifestyles and
decision-making. ​
7. Learners will analyze the relationship between scientific advancements and their societal and
environmental impacts.
Success Criteria 1. I can list examples of scientific advancements and technological innovations. ​
2. I can recognize the basic functions of technology in scientific discoveries. ​
3. I can describe how one scientific discovery led to a change in people’s lives. ​
4. I can articulate the purpose of a specific technological innovation. ​
5. I can explain the connection between different scientific advancements over the years. ​
6. I can describe how technological advancements have influenced daily life and the environment. ​
7. I can analyze how advancements in science and technology interconnect to address global
challenges. ​
8. I can propose responsible and innovative ways to use scientific advancements for sustainable
development.

Teacher Questions
●​ What/how would you like your most inspirational scientific gadget to look like in 5 years? and
why?
●​ What are the reasons for technological/scientific advancement?
●​ How have scientists and technology encouraged the growth of scientific innovation?
●​ How has technology helped in the improvement of simple machines?
●​ What are the advantages and disadvantages of scientific/technological growth?
●​ What is the impact of technology on man and his environment? (Positive and Negative)?
●​ What are some examples of significant scientific advancements throughout history?
●​ How has technology changed the way we understand science?
●​ What are the different ways advancements in science affect people and the environment?
●​ How do scientific advancements evolve over time?
●​ What role does technology play in shaping scientific understanding?
●​ In what ways do advancements in science and technology bring responsibility to individuals and
communities?
●​ Should all technological advancements be pursued, regardless of their potential impact on the
environment?
 ●​ Is it possible to balance the benefits of scientific progress with its ethical and environmental
consequences?
●​ Who should decide how scientific and technological advancements are used: governments,
scientists, or the public?

Agency - Voice ,Choice , Ownership

Voice:​
Learners will be encouraged to share their perspectives on how scientific advancements have impacted
their lives and the world. Through discussions and reflections, they will express their thoughts on the
ethical considerations and environmental implications of these advancements, highlighting their
personal connections to the topic.

Choice:​
Learners will choose specific scientific discoveries or technological innovations to explore based on
their interests. They will select how to present their findings—through research papers, presentations,
models, or creative storytelling—demonstrating their understanding in a way that resonates with them.

Ownership:​
Learners will design and execute projects that showcase their understanding of the evolution of science
and its societal and environmental impact. They will take ownership by sharing their projects with the
class or community and reflecting on how scientific knowledge shapes their worldview and
responsibilities.

Resources : Books : Links: -

Artificial Intelligence & Work by Alicia Zee 15 Accidental Inventions You Can't Imagine Y…
Klepies Discovery, Invention and Innovation
How Electric and Hybrid Cars Work by Nick
Hunter Field Trip - Hospital visit: Learners to witness the
Robots in Law Enforcement by Richard and workings of X Ray/MRI or Pathological Labs.
Louise Spilsbury
How Does GPS Work by Leon Gray
 How Does a Touchscreen Work by Leon Gray
World of Robots by Joe Craig

Objective- Explore initial ideas and understanding of scientific advancements and their impact.​
Tuning In: Prior Knowledge: Learners will prepare a quiz of 5-6 questions to conduct on their peers about the use
of technology in their daily lives.​
Evolution of the medium of communication (interview with parents and teachers.)

Decoding Central Idea: Learners will unpack the central idea by discussing the terms “scientific
knowledge,” “impact,” and “continuously changing,” and create a collaborative mind map to connect
their thoughts.

Finding Out: Objective: Investigate the evolution of scientific advancements and their connection to technology.​
Learning Engagement:

Learners will research significant discoveries (e.g., vaccines, electricity, AI) and create a short
presentation.

Learners will participate in a gallery walk featuring images of different scientific discoveries and
technologies. They will write questions or observations about each display.

Sorting Out Objective: Organize information and identify connections between scientific advancements,
technology, and their impacts.
Learning Engagement:
 Learners will create a cause-and-effect chart showing how technological advances have impacted
society and the environment.
Learners will work in groups to sort advancements into categories such as “Medical,”
“Environmental,” or “Technological.”

Objective: Deepen inquiry into the ethical considerations and responsibilities tied to scientific
Going Further advancements.
Learning Engagement:
Learners will create a timeline showing major scientific advancements they already know.​
Learners will go on a field trip to a hospital to witness the working of various machines and the
pathological lab.

Making Conclusions Objective: Synthesize learning and reflect on the importance of scientific knowledge in shaping the
world.​
Learning Engagement:

Learners will create a poster about a scientific advancement of their choice. The poster should include:

●​ The name and purpose of scientific advancement.

●​ How it has changed over time (evolution).
●​ Its impact on people or the environment.
●​ One ethical consideration related to it.

Learners will reflect in journals, explaining how their understanding of the central idea has evolved.

Taking Action: Learners will collaborate and create a model of a rocket in integration with their Visual Arts Lessons.
This is also in Integration with their previous unit ‘Where We Are In Place & Time’.
 Ongoing Assessment

Formative Assessment: 1
FA 1 - Objective: Assess learners’ understanding of the evolution of scientific advancements.

Task: Learners will create a timeline showcasing major scientific advancements, highlighting their
significance and impact on society.

Success Outcomes:

Learners will be able to -

●​ Accurately place advancements in chronological order.

●​ Explain the importance of at least three advancements.

Formative Assessment 2
FA 2 - Objective: Evaluate learners’ ability to connect scientific advancements to their societal and
environmental impacts.

Task: Learners will develop a cause-and-effect chart linking specific advancements (e.g., vaccines,
renewable energy) to changes in lifestyle, health, or the environment.

Success Outcomes:

Learners will be able to -

●​ Identify clear cause-and-effect relationships.

 ●​ Provide specific examples with supporting details.

Formative Assessment 3
FA 3 - Task: Learners will create a poster about a scientific advancement of their choice. The poster
should include:

●​ The name and purpose of scientific advancement.

●​ How it has changed over time (evolution).
●​ Its impact on people or the environment.
●​ One ethical consideration related to it.

Success Criteria:

●​ Clear and accurate information.

●​ Simple and engaging layout with visuals.
●​ Connection to the central idea (how scientific knowledge changes and impacts lives).

Summative Assessment
Summative Assessment: Visualising the Future (Math Integration)

●​ Objective: Evaluate learners' understanding of the central idea and lines of inquiry in a creative
and accessible way.
●​ Task: ​
Learners think about how the world would look like after 50 years due to the advancements in
technology.

Pick a setting of your choice (eg: kitchen/ school/ classroom) to depict how it would look 50 years
from now.

Apply your knowledge of area and perimeter to create the model. Include at least 3 technological
advancements that would be used in the future.
Present your model to your peers and facilitator to showcase your understanding of the unit.