SCIENCE METHODS CLASS

Science education in the spotlight
New testing rules, and poor science achievement scores, are bringing renewed focus and energy to science instruction in schools
By Laura Devaney, Senior Editor, eSchool News

As schools prepare for science testing under No Child Left Behind, educators and science advocates are calling for renewed awareness of what many say is a national crisis in science education.

States will be required to test students in science once a year in elementary (grades 3-5), middle (grades 6-9), and high schools (grades 10-12). The new rules come at a critical time for the nation, because the science scores of U.S. students on recent national and international benchmark exams have been anything but stellar.

Eighty-two percent of the nation’s 12th graders performed below the proficient level on the 2000 National Assessment of Educational Progress science test. Average scores on the most recent Program for International Student Assessment ranked U.S. students 21st out of 30 industrialized countries in science.

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Oct. 27 and 29	Nov. 3 and 5	Nov. 10 and 12	Nov. 17 and 19	Nov. 24 and 26	Dec. 1 and 3	Dec. 8 and 10

	INQUIRY BASED	TRADITIONAL
Principle Learning Theory	Constructivism	Behaviorism
Student Participation	Active	Passive
Student Involvement in Outcomes	Increased Responsibility	Decreased Responsibility
Student Role	Problem solver	Direction follower
Curriculum Goals	Process oriented	Product oriented
Teachers Role	Guide/facilitator	Director/ transmitter

Present: Inquiry Learning 10 Tips for Inquiry-Based Learning Teaching Principles for Inquiry	Inquiry Learning - video *Inquiry-based Learning	Inquiry Learning-ppt	"Inquiry Learning" Videos Inquiry and Problem-Based Learning - videos *Inquiry-based Science
*Using KWL to Introduce Inquiry	Inquiry-Based Learning Example Lesson	Cone of Learning - (Edgar Dale)	Inquiry-based Learning
Inquiry into the Zen of Wormness Project-Based Template	20 Questions to ask Students in Science Projects handout	Scientific Method and Inquiry The scientific method has a set of rigid steps students follow as they begin an investigation. These steps are: Asking Questions Looking at Prior at Research Constructing a Hypothesis Conducting the Experiment Analyzing Data Reporting Findings Inquiry based learning differs from the scientific method, because students do not need to start with asking questions. They can jump into the scientific method anywhere to begin their research.	Problem Based Learning and Inquiry Problem based learning (PBL) is based on students provided a scenario surrounding a problem and follows the scientific method closely. The PBL steps are: Analyze Problem Scenario List what is Known about the Problem Develop a Problem Statement List what is Needed to Solve the Problem List Possible Actions Necessary to Solve the Problem Analyze Information Collected about the Problem Report Findings
Because project learning is filled with active and engaged learning, it inspires students to obtain a deeper knowledge of the subjects they're studying. Research also indicates that students are more likely to retain the knowledge gained through this approach far more readily than through traditional textbook-centered learning. In addition, students develop confidence and self-direction as they move through both team-based and independent work.	In the process of completing their projects, students also hone their organizational and research skills, develop better communication with their peers and adults, and often work within their community while seeing the positive effect of their work. Why Teach Project Learning?	Inquiry in Kindergarten Five-Year-Olds Pilot Their Own Project Learning	Journey-North

New Bloom's Taxonomy- PowerPt	New Bloom's Taxonomy
Bloom's New vs Old	Bloom's Taxonomy Breakdown
Question Stems and Activities	Bloom's Taxonomy

Sprinkle Portaportal	Frazier Portaportal	Callett Portaportal	WPSVA Portaportal	Stultz Portaportal
Middle School Portaportal	Science Portaportal	Cain Portaportal	Portaportal Links MN	Portaportal Links
Math Portaportal	Hubbard Portaportal	McCauley's Portaportal	Gloucester Website	Teacher

Fur.ly http://fur.ly/mei/ http://fur.ly/mek/ http://fur.ly/mel	Chem for Kids	Biology 4 Kids	Cosmos 4 Kids
Factory Lego	EdHeads	Sheppard's Software	Hippo Campus
BugScope	FossWeb	Internet4Teachers	Bitesize KS2 Science
Encyclopedia Smithsonian	Kids Click	Science Online	World Wind
Science Videos	Just For Kids - Science	Physics 4 Kids	Block Cad

SIRS DISCOVERER Search Engine	World Book Kids - schools	Curriculum Correlations
Workbooks	World Book Student - schools	Timeline Creator
SIRS Issue Researcher	World Book Advanced - schools	World Book Online Kids World Book Online Students
Learning Express Searchable E-Books	World Book Discover - reads aloud	World Book Online Reference

Schoolhouse Rock Dry Bones	Schoolhouse Rock Skeleton	Learn Human Body - Cardiovascular System	Learn - Bones and Muscles (Animation)	Learn Human Body - Digestive System
Learn Human Body - Nervous System	Germs PowerPoints/Activities	Kids' Health	Kids' Health	Code Red Rover

Paper Bag Puppets	10 Big Ideas for Better Classrooms	Science NetLinks Science Games and Activities	Kids Know It Videos NeoK12 Videos	Schoolhouse Rock videos SqoolTube Videos
Jefferson Lab Jefferson Lab Games	PBS Experiments	Scholastic Online Activities	Science Glossary - Harcourt School Publishers	K-8 Science Sites

Problem Based Learning and Inquiry

Schoolhouse Rock videos SqoolTube Videos

Problem Based
Learning and Inquiry

Schoolhouse Rock
videos

SqoolTube Videos