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A split picture of a lab scientist at a microscope and a nurse, a welder and a wildlife biologist at work outdoors.

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Discoveries and Careers

How discoveries change society and who does the work.

Lesson 7 of 41

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Today’s story

Discoveries and Careers

Some discoveries change how people live. Vaccines protect children. Refrigeration keeps food safe. Electric lines light a barn at night.

Science, technology, engineering and math jobs are called STEM careers. They include nurses, welders, farmers who use soil tests, and pilots. Many do not need a lab.

Today we look at how discoveries change the world and who does the work. Some of the answers may surprise you. Here are the steps.

See it

Five steps. Every time.

    Hands on

    Career Interview

    25 minutes · Do this with a grown-up nearby

    You need

    • Paper and pencil
    • A parent or neighbor with a job
    • Five question starters

    Do this

    1. Pick an adult whose job uses math, science or building.
    2. Write five questions about their work.
    3. Ask them how they use science or measurement.
    4. Write down their answers.
    5. Draw a picture of them at work.
    6. Share it with your class or family.
    Write or draw: A page with the person's job, three tools they use and one science idea.

    Watch for: Did the job use more science than you expected?

    Safety: Do the interview where it is safe to talk and no tools are running.

    Same every time

    Three rules

    Rule 1Discoveries come from work

    People test, fail and try again.

    Rule 2Many jobs use science

    Not every STEM job is in a lab.

    Rule 3Weigh benefits and risks

    Good choices consider both.

    Grandpa Fenn’s notebook

    Say it like a scientist

    discovery
    Something new that is found or understood.
    technology
    Tools and methods made to solve problems.
    STEM
    Science, technology, engineering and math.
    society
    A group of people living together.

    Poppy’s quiz

    Six questions

    Tap an answer. Green means right. You will see why.

    Talk about it

    Say it out loud

    • What evidence shows a discovery changed lives?
    • Which jobs in your town use science or math?
    Did you know

    Pasteurization, a heating method named after Louis Pasteur, made milk much safer to drink.

    Someone who does this

    A nurse gives vaccines, a discovery that protects whole towns.

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