Science for All Children : A Guide to Improving Elementary Science Education in Your School District

by National Science Resources Center

• ISBN13: 9780309052979
• ISBN10: 0309052971
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1996-12-01
• Publisher: Natl Academy Pr

Summary

Remember the first time you planted a seed and watched it sprout? Or explored how a magnet attracted a nail? If these questions bring back memories of joy and wonder, then you understand the idea behind inquiry-based science--an approach to science education that challenges children to ask questions, solve problems, and develop scientific skills as well as gain knowledge. Inquiry-based science is based on research and experience, both of which confirm that children learn science best when they engage in hands-on science activities rather than read from a textbook. The recent National Science Education Standardsprepared by the National Research Council call for a revolution in science education. They stress that the science taught must be based on active inquiry and that science should become a core activity in every grade, starting in kindergarten. This easy-to-read and practical book shows how to bring about the changes recommended in the standards. It provides guidelines for planning and implementing an inquiry-based science program in any school district. The book is divided into three parts. "Building a Foundation for Change," presents a rationale for inquiry-based science and describes how teaching through inquiry supports the way children naturally learn. It concludes with basic guidelines for planning a program. School administrators, teachers, and parents will be especially interested in the second part, "The Nuts and Bolts of Change." This section describes the five building blocks of an elementary science program: Community and administrative support. A developmentally appropriate curriculum. Opportunities for professional development. Materials support. Appropriate assessment tools. Together, these five elements provide a working model of how to implement hands-on science. The third part, "Inquiry-Centered Science in Practice," presents profiles of the successful inquiry-based science programs in districts nationwide. These profiles show how the principles of hands-on science can be adapted to different school settings. If you want to improve the way science is taught in the elementary schools in your community, Science for All Childrenis an indispensable resource.

Table of Contents

Foreword	vii	(2)
Preface	ix	(2)
Acknowledgments	xi
Introduction	1	(4)
Part 1 Building a Foundation for Change	5	(56)
Chapter 1 The Value of Science Education	7	(14)
Chapter 2 How Children Learn	21	(11)
Chapter 3 Sharing the Vision of Exemplary Elementary Science	32	(7)
Chapter 4 Planning for the New Elementary Science Program	39	(22)
Part 2 The Nuts and Bolts of Change	61	(72)
Chapter 5 Criteria for Selecting Inquiry-Centered Science Curriculum Materials	63	(13)
Chapter 6 Professional Development for Inquiry-Centered Science	76	(13)
Chapter 7 Establishing a Science Materials Support Center	89	(11)
Chapter 8 Assessment Strategies for Inquiry-Centered Science	100	(22)
Chapter 9 Building Support for the Science Program	122	(11)
Inquiry-Centered Science in Practice	133	(58)
Introduction	135	(3)
Montgomery Country, Maryland A Large Suburban School District Works to Build a Cardre of Effective Elementary Science Teachers	138	(8)
Spokane, Washington A City School District Struggles to Put the Pieces Together	146	(7)
East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana Corporate Partnership and an Emphasis on Strong Professional Development Spearhead Reform Efforts	153	(5)
Cupertino, California A Small School District Builds a Strong Corporate Partnership	158	(6)
Huntsville, Alabama A University-School District Partnership Creates a Multidistrict Program Step by Step	164	(7)
Pasadena, California Pasadena Develops a Model for Teacher-Scientist Partnerships	171	(6)
San Francisco, California A University Works Collaboratively with a City School District	177	(7)
Green Bay Wisconsin The Einstein Project Builds a Science Program Through Community Partnerships	184	(7)
Epilogue	191	(2)
Notes	193	(3)
Appendix A Professional Associations and U.S. Government Organizations	196	(18)
Appendix B Exemplary Elementary Science Curriculm Materials	214	(2)
Index	216	(6)
Credits	222	(2)
National Science Resources Center Advisory Board	224