Nurturing and Sustaining Effective Programs in Science Education for Grades K-8 Building a Village in California: Summary of a Convocation (2009) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
6 Rising to the Challenge
6 Rising to the Challenge
Pages 61-74
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 61... ...
A CALIFORNIA SCIENCE EDUCATION COALITION The approach that was discussed intensively at the convocation is the formation of a coalition dedicated to creating an outstanding science 61
|
From page 62... ...
and the California State University System (with California Polytechnic State University as the lead institution) have received a planning grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the S.D.
|
From page 63... ...
These students represent a tremendous opportunity to nurture future teachers and supporters of science education. If they could be engaged in inquiry, exploration, and discovery, they could experience the many benefits of authentic science.
|
From page 64... ...
Colleges and universities also could develop STEM institutes and courses to provide preservice education and professional development for K-8 teachers and school administrators. In particular, they could develop master's degree programs focused on K-8 STEM education to prepare education specialists in these areas for elementary and middle schools.
|
From page 65... ...
Informal Science Education Institutions Informal institutions like science centers and museums can serve as neutral catalysts for innovation, assemble partnerships for increased resources, and act as hosts for regional science resource centers, which in turn can provide learning opportunities for teacher and students. Informal institutions also can leverage a large sphere of influence in a political campaign.
|
From page 66... ...
As Susan Pritchard of the California Science Teachers Association said, "when parents think science, they think medical doctors, they think pharmacists, they think nursing or health care." They do not think about the many jobs that require a technical background and may be closely tied to a student's interests. "We need to let our students know at an early age what kinds of career opportunities are out there." Science is the best way to teach children how to detect a bad claim -- whether a political claim, a commercial claim, or a scientific claim -- said Dennis Bartels of the Exploratorium.
|
From page 67... ...
They may help teachers access materials and professional development, support inquiry, marshal external funding to support science, provide instructional leadership to teachers, or keep districts and schools focused on science. They are "the keepers of the passion," said Dorph.
|
From page 68... ...
POINTS OF EMPHASIS Many speakers at the convocation pointed to specific issues affecting K-8 science education that need to be pursued, both inside the coalition and outside it. 10A month after the convocation, the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers announced that 49 states and territories have joined an initiative to develop a set of core standards in English language arts and mathematics that states can voluntarily adopt.
|
From page 69... ...
Some good programs along these lines have existed in the past, but the approach needs to become much more widespread.12 The preparation of middle school science teachers will undergo a major change in the next few years, she said, because of a new general science credential that recently took effect in California.13 This change represents a good opportunity to improve the teaching of science and prepare teachers to use science education to overcome some of the learning difficulties of students, according to Bissell. California's colleges and universities will play a central role in this professional education, which emphasizes the importance of developing effective higher education teacher preparation and professional development programs.
|
From page 70... ...
For example, California now tests its fifth graders in science, but the test covers just the fourth and fifth grade science standards. "If we had a test for all the elementary grade levels, what kind of impact would that have?
|
From page 71... ...
Dean Gilbert from the Los Angeles County Office of Education proposed that a clearinghouse be established that could draw links between proposed legislation and the effects on education. And Nancy Taylor of the San Diego County Office of Education said that a clearinghouse could include information about the history and successes of past programs.
|
From page 72... ...
This improvement process, several speakers noted, includes meetings like this convocation that bring together the stakeholders in science education. Philip Smith of the Space Grant Education and Enterprise Institute18 urged the conveners of such meetings to "broaden the circle" as much as possible to bring in everyone interested in science education.
|
From page 73... ...
We're at the top of the list right at this moment, and California is the place for it to occur given the wealth of intellectual resources and the extraordinary need for excellence in science education." But the moment will pass quickly, Levine warned. During the 2000 presidential election, education was near the top of the concerns registered in public opinion polls.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.