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Science Launch G3 / Week 07 / Friday
5/6
Week 07 · Traits and Surroundings

Friday

Genes and surroundings
// How the world around us shapes traits
⏱ about 15 min

Friday: Genes and Surroundings

After a sunny summer, Rocket sees more freckles on his nose. "Did my freckles grow?" he asks.

Raven smiles. "What do you notice? You were outside in the sun a lot."

Nova hovers close by. "Some traits come from parents," she says. "Some depend on surroundings. Some need both."

Two causes working together

A trait can come from genes, from the environment, or from both together.

Freckles are inherited. People with freckles tend to have children with freckles.

But time in the sun can make more freckles show up for a while.

A flamingo inherits being a flamingo. Its food decides how pink it gets.

Evidence is facts or observations that show something is true.

Scientists use evidence to explain where a trait comes from.

TraitEnvironment causeEvidence
Flamingo colorfoodChicks start white and turn pink over years
Hydrangea colorsoilChanging the soil changes flower color
Plant shapelightPlants in dim light grow tall and spindly
FrecklessunlightMore freckles can show up after time in the sun
MATCH THE CAUSE
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
A plant grows tall and pale in a dark corner. What part of the environment changed it?
What part of the environment turns flamingos pink?
Everything around a living thing is its ____.
A substance that gives color is a ____.
Facts that show something is true are ____.

Claim and evidence

Scientists make a claim. A claim is what they think is true.

Then they give evidence. Evidence is the facts that back up the claim.

Claim: light changes how plants grow.

Evidence: a plant in dim light grew spindly. Your plant leaned toward the window.

PICK THE EVIDENCE
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Claim: food changes flamingo color. Which is the best evidence?
Claim: soil changes hydrangea color. Which is the best evidence?
TraitShaped by genes AND environment?
Freckles?
Flamingo color?
Riding a bike?
WHY THIS EXERCISEFreckles and flamingo color come from both genes and the environment.
MAKE A SCIENTIFIC EXPLANATION
  • ?Use the evidence to explain the claim.
  • ?Make a claim.
  • ?Collect evidence.
  • ?Ask a question.
WHY THIS EXERCISEScientists ask, gather evidence, claim and explain.
Facts that back up a claim are called what?
WHY THIS EXERCISEEvidence is the facts that support a claim.
Try it
Check your lean test plant from Wednesday.
Which way does the stem point today?
Add what you see to your evidence.

You explained traits like a scientist! Tomorrow is Launch Lab, a sun and shade plant hunt.

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