MSP Science Framework

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MSP Science Framework

• A valuable tool for the twenty-first century

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Why was the Science Curriculum Framework
Developed?

• Strengthen science instruction
• Improve student achievement for all students (as
  also required by No Child Left Behind
  legislation)
• As a response to Third International Mathematics
  Science Study (TIMSS) findings

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Top Achieving Countries Introduce Science Topics
Gradually
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Southwest PA Districts Overwhelm Students with
Science Topics
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One of the Reasons the Science Curriculum
Framework Was Developed
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Lessons Learned from TIMSS

• What we teach
• A mile wide and an inch deep
• How we teach
• Students are grouped by perceived ability
• Different content for different groups
• Who we teach
• Only a few have access higher level coursework

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Science Framework Team

• The team represented a variety of organizations
• 4 Intermediate Units
• 15 area school districts
• Allegheny-Singer Research Institute
• Carnegie Science Center
• University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg

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Team (continued)

• The team included multiple levels of educators
• 8 elementary teachers
• 7 middle school teachers
• 6 high school teachers
• 3 curriculum specialists
• 3 higher education content advisors

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How the Framework was Developed

• The team started work in three discipline band
  teams
• Life Science
• Earth Science
• Physical Science
• First the team organized the science content of
  their discipline into big ideas of science
• The big ideas were then distributed over the
  different grade levels from Kindergarten through
  High School.

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Looking at the Big Picture

• The team confirmed that Pennsylvania and National
  Science Education Standards (NSES) were addressed
• The teams adjusted the big ideas to distribute
  content evenly at each grade level to permit for
  interdisciplinary connections when possible,
  taking into consideration existing challenging
  materials

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PDE Involvement

• The Science Curriculum Framework addresses the PA
  standards at the relevant levels
• PDE welcomed the development of the science
  framework
• PDE supports the framework goal to make the
  standards accessible to all students
• PDE is assisting in dissemination of the Framework

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Standards Alignment

• Roll out of the science assessment anchors is to
  occur in the near future
• The Math Science Collaborative will relate the
  Assessment Anchors to the Science Framework

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Organization of the Science Framework

• The Science Curriculum Framework consists of 4
  major components
• Inquiry and the Science Framework
• Knowledge Networks and Materials Correlations
• Scope and Sequence
• Grade Level Guides

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Knowledge Network Template
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Definitions

• Building Block A building block is the active
  student involvement in component areas that leads
  to deep understanding.
• Key Component A key component is a significant
  concept of an essential learning which is
  combined with other key components to achieve the
  deep understanding of the essential learning.
• Essential Learning Essential learning is the
  deep understanding of central topics of science
  achieved by learners.

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Coding Example
Grade Level
Content Strand
Essential Learning
H.P.VI. Understand motion in the physical
world. A. Understand one-dimensional
kinematics. 1. Derive the four key kinematic
equations as they relate to constant
acceleration.
Key Component
Building Block
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Example High School Knowledge Network
High School Life Science Biological Evolution

H.L.III. Understand diversity of life is the
result of evolution
Understand that diversity is the basic criteria
for classification (taxonomy)
Understand concepts of evolution
Explain the theories of evolution (LaMarck and
Darwin)
Identify the evidence of evolution
Explain how the mechanism of natural selection
results in evolution
Discuss the role genetic analysis plays in
classification
Classify organisms from kingdom through species
level
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The Science Framework Balances Process and Content
Content
Process
Science Framework
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Emphasis on Inquiry

• Essential Learnings
• Inquiry, problem solving, critical thinking,
  communication, and links to real world
  applications should be integrated throughout
  science instruction to develop deep understanding
  of the essential learnings.

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Essential Learnings Grade 5
5.E.II. Understand Earths resources
Essential Learnings Grade 5 Inquiry, problem
solving, critical thinking, communications, and
links to real world applications should be
integrated throughout science instruction to
develop an understanding of the essential
learnings.
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Materials Correlations

• Identify challenging materials that
• Develop deep conceptual understanding of the
  essential learnings
• Support inquiry-based learning
• Have been reviewed by external sources for
  evidence of success across multiple classrooms

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Example Materials Correlation
High School Life Science Materials Correlations
For Abbreviations System See page KN - 2
For Bibliography See page AP-5
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Example Scope and Sequence
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Scope and Sequence

• What is so important about this scope and
  sequence?
• Vertical (K 12) articulation
• No unnecessary repetition of content
• No missing pieces
• The learner builds a coherent conceptual
  framework

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Example Grade Level Guide
 
 
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Grade Level Guides

• How does the Framework organize science content
  at each grade level?
• Manageable content at each grade level
• Balance of Earth, Life, and Physical Science
  in the
• Elementary grades (K 5)
• Focus on two content areas per grade in Middle
• School (6-8)
• Subject area courses in High School
• (no grade level guide needed)

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What the Framework Offers

• A tool to create a coherent, streamlined K-12
  curriculum
• An invitation to teach for conceptual
  understanding
• conceptual framework of big ideas of science
• inquiry-based learning
• A guide to research-informed challenging materials

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MSP Science Framework
A valuable tool for the twenty-first century