Scientists and Society

Scientists and Society Worksheet (Grade 6 Science, TEKS 6.4A)

Show grade 6 students how scientific research changes the world. This one-page reading and activity sheet introduces four scientists from different countries and times whose discoveries connect to the grade 6 science course, then teaches a simple cost-benefit analysis.

What's Inside

• A short reading on scientific research, innovation, and society
• Four scientist cards: Robert Hooke (cells), Dmitri Mendeleev (periodic table), Alfred Wegener (moving continents), and Katherine Johnson (spaceflight math)
• Activity 1: Students match each scientist to a discovery
• Activity 2: Students sort five facts about plastic water bottles as benefits or costs
• A visual answer key with answers marked in red

How Teachers Use It

Use it to open a unit, alongside a lesson on cells, elements, plate movement, or space, or as practice for TEKS 6.4A. Every fact students need is on the page. The sheet takes about 10 minutes and prints clearly in black and white.

This worksheet is part of the Reading in Science series for grade 6. It supports TEKS 6.4A: relate the impact of past and current research on scientific thought and society, including the process of science, cost-benefit analysis, and contributions of diverse scientists as related to the content. Pair it with the other TEKS 6.4 sheets to build a short unit on science, society, and STEM careers.

Why It Works

Each sheet teaches the key terms in plain words first, then asks students to use only what the page taught. Activities stay at the circle, sort, match, and write-a-letter level, so students build confidence while the answer key lets teachers check work fast. The clean layout is also easy to project for a whole-class review.