National Science Education Standards

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National Science Education Standards

• Math-Science Alliance
• Summer 2008
• Terry Bunde

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Science LiteracyFrom The Call to Action for
National Science Standards

• Scientific literacy enables people to use
  scientific principles and processes in making
  personal decisions and to participate in
  discussions of scientific issues that affect
  society. A sound grounding in science
  strengthens many of the skills that people use
  every day, like solving problems creatively,
  thinking critically, working cooperatively in
  teams, using technology effectively, and valuing
  life-long learning.

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Goals of National Science Standards

• The students will
• Experience the richness and excitement of knowing
  about and understanding the natural world
• Use appropriate scientific processes and
  principles in making personal decisions
• Engage intelligently in public discourse and
  debate about matters of scientific and
  technological concern
• Increase their economic productivity through the
  use of the knowledge, understanding, and skills
  of the scientifically literate person in their
  careers

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Organization of Standards

• Standards for Science Teaching
• Standards for Professional Development for
  Teachers of Science
• Standards for Assessment in Science Education
• Standards for Science Content
• Standards for Science Education Programs
• Standards for Science Education Systems

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Science Teaching Standards

• The planning of inquiry-based science programs
• The actions taken to guide and facilitate student
  learning
• The assessments made of teaching and student
  learning
• The development of environments that enable
  students to learn science
• The creation of communities of science learners
• The planning and development of the school
  science program

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Principles and Definitions

• Science is for all students
• Learning science is an active process
• School science reflects the intellectual and
  cultural traditions that characterize the
  practice of contemporary science
• Improving science education is part of systemic
  education reform

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Quotations from National Science Standards

• Learning science is something students do, NOT
  something that is done to them.
• Students should develop an understanding of what
  science is, what science is not, what science can
  and cannot do, and how science contributes to
  culture

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Science Literacy

• An essential aspect of science literacy is
  greater knowledge and understanding of scientific
  subject matter, that is, the knowledge
  specifically associated with the physical, life,
  and earth sciences.
• Science is a way of knowing that is
  characterized by empirical criteria, logical
  argument, and skeptical review.

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Inquiry Approach

• Inquiry is a multifaceted activity that involves
  making observations posing questions examining
  books and other sources of information to see
  what is already known planning investigations
  reviewing what is known in light of experimental
  evidence using tools to gather, analyze, and
  interpret data proposing answers, explanations
  and predictions and communicating the results.

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Science and Technology

• The goal of science is to understand the natural
  world the goal of technology is to make
  modifications in the world to meet human needs.
• Technology and science are closely
  related.technological products, from pencils to
  computers, provide tools that promote the
  understanding of natural phenomena.

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Characteristic DesiredFrom Standards in the
Classroom by Audet and Jordan

• Teacher is mediator of learning environment
• Curriculum decisions based on standards
• Students are active learners
• Collaboration among students
• Integration of content areas
• In depth study of fewer topics
• Numerous opportunities for student self
  assessment
• Students guided toward experimental, inquiry-
  based learning

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Teaching TO the Standards

• Some ask if a certain curriculum meets the
  standards. This reveals a lack of understanding
  about the role of standards as outcomes.
  Meeting the standards is correctly interpreted
  as students achieving the knowledge, abilities,
  and under-standings defined in the standards.

Bybee, 1997
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Content Clarification of a National Standard
(Standards in the Classroom, page 28)

• What course or grade level do you teach?
• What specific content area do you want to target?
• What particular topic within this content area do
  you want to consider?
• What are the titles of national standards
  documents that include this topic?
• What is the national content standard for this
  topic that you would like to investigate?

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