Students develop and evaluate inferences, predictions, and arguments that are based on data. Students use concepts and themes such as system, change, scale, and model to help them understand and explain the natural world. In other words, students understand the natural world more meaningfully when they use concepts and themes to make the connections between objects, events, and experiences. For example, in studying the unifying concept of system, as in ecosystem, students make connections between the physical and biological factors that affect mango yield.
Mango yield is dependent on temperature, wind, water, and length of day and pollinators.
Students describe, analyze, and give examples of how organisms are dependent on one another and their environments. In other words, there are direct and indirect relationships between organisms that allow them to survive. For example, a macadamia nut tree provides food and shelter for bees. Bees help plants to reproduce through pollination. Decomposers break down waste products and help provide nutrients to the soil.