Research, Innovation and STEM Careers gives Grade 6 Science students practice connecting scientific research with innovation, technology, source evaluation, and STEM career pathways. Set within the Texas Science 6: Investigations, Evidence and Systems topic and TEKS framework, the resource uses the work of Dr. Patricia Bath to connect scientific investigation with a real-world health technology.

Research Meets Innovation

The reading passage examines Patricia Bath's development of the Laserphaco Probe and how her work connected science, engineering, medical research, and problem solving. Students consider how scientific research can contribute to new or improved technology while examining practical factors involved in developing a medical device, including benefits, costs, safety, training, materials, and access.

The resource also develops source evaluation skills. Students compare a museum source, a professional medical source, and a practitioner profile while considering who created the information and whether evidence or references support the claims. These ideas help students think carefully about credibility when researching technologies and STEM topics.

What Students Practise

• Read and interpret a passage about Patricia Bath, medical technology, and STEM careers
• Answer multiple-choice questions about invention, source credibility, scientific investigation, technology benefits, and access
• Evaluate true-or-false statements about research, technology development, safety, and STEM skills
• Write short responses about the Laserphaco Probe, comparing sources, and factors in medical device development
• Match related concepts and complete a cloze passage using research and technology vocabulary
• Write an extended response connecting research, innovation, technology, source evaluation, and STEM careers
• Explore additional context through a Did You Know section

Teacher Support Included

The purchase includes the main Grade 6 Science worksheet, a separate answer key PDF, and a Student Notes & Lesson Summary supplement. The separate Teacher Guide includes learning objectives, teaching tips, discussion questions, and common mistakes to support instruction and review.

Classroom Applications

Use this STEM careers science worksheet during instruction, independent practice, research-skills review, or written-response work. Students can apply the ideas to questions about evaluating sources, investigating whether a technology works effectively, considering access to new technology, and identifying education and skills connected to STEM careers.

By linking Patricia Bath's career with research, innovation, technology evaluation, safety, access, problem solving, and communication, this resource gives teachers a focused way to connect scientific practices with real-world STEM career exploration.