Two Things that Improve Student Outcomes: Quality Materials and Systemic Support for their Implementation
By Christopher Harris | June 8, 2022
It is hard to believe that we are nearly a decade out from the release of A Framework for K–12 Science Education (Framework) and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Also noteworthy is that we are now at a point where the vision for science education put forth by the Framework has become part of education policy in many corners of the […]
Supporting Students in Science as a Way of Thinking – Rather Than as a Way of Getting the Right Answer
By Brooke Bourdélat Gorman | May 2, 2022
Many years ago, I was the kind of student who would sit in class furiously writing down every word my teacher said. It was a source of stress if a friend distracted me or the teacher talked too fast because I might miss a word, or worse, a whole sentence. At the end of class, I would shut […]
Student Work is Gold
Forming Professional Learning Communities Around Student Work Analysis
By Lauren Stoll and Jill Wertheim | April 6, 2022
“That mind shift has to change. It’s not just: I gave a test, here’s a score, it goes in the gradebook…now we have to do something else so the student does accomplish the standard.” – Secondary Resource Teacher
When we […]
Moving Beyond Scales
What is the difference between “using” and “developing” the three dimensions?
By Jennifer Childress Self | March 9, 2022
When I […]
Way more than an answer key
What does effective teacher guidance look like in science instructional materials designed for today’s science standards?
By Jenny Sarna | February 9, 2022
In my first year as a teacher, I relied heavily on an inquiry-based textbook as I enthusiastically dove into writing units and lessons for my high school biology course. As I mapped out my plan, I […]
Kindergarten Cop: What science is appropriate for early elementary kids?
Should we expect K–2 students to revise models, iterate solutions, and define criteria and constraints?
By Vanessa Wolbrink | January 6, 2022
I wasn’t ready for the transformation I was about to witness when I stepped into my kindergarten classroom my first year as a teacher. How will these students who know so little about […]
