Standards

    The curriculum units and activities which the International Public Science Day 2002 partnership has developed are aligned with the followed National Science Education Standards as published by National Academy Press, Washington, D. C. 

Science Teaching Standards:

    Teachers of science plan an inquiry-based science program for their students.  In doing this, teachers

• develop a framework of yearlong and short term goals for students

• select science content and adapt and design curricula to meet the interests, knowledge, understanding, abilities and experiences of students

• select teaching and assessment strategies that support the development of student understanding and nurture a community of science learners.

• work together as colleagues within and across disciplines and grade levels

Professional Development Standards:

    Professional development for  teachers of science requires learning essential science content through the perspectives and methods of inquiry.  Science learning experiences for teachers must

• involve teachers in actively investigating phenomena that can be studied scientifically, interpreting results, and making sense of findings consistent with currently accepted scientific understanding.

• address issues, events, problems or topics significant in science and of interest to participants

• introduce teachers to scientific literature, media and  technological resources that expand their science knowledge and their ability to access further knowledge.

• build on the teacher's current science understanding, ability and attitudes

• incorporate ongoing reflection on the process and outcomes of understanding science through inquiry

• encourage and support teachers in efforts to collaborate

Assessment Standards:

• Assessments must be consistent with the decisions they are designed to inform.

• Achievement and opportunity to learn science must be assessed

Science Content Standards:

• abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry

• understanding about scientific inquiry

• the characteristics of organisms

• life cycles of organisms

• organisms and environments

• changes in earth and sky

• objects in the sky

Home Page   |   Energy in the Garden   |   Top of Page