From: Rob Lee (rjl@netdex.com)
Date: Sun Apr 27 2003 - 10:01:29 PDT
Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2003 10:01:29 -0700 Subject: HS Science Question From: Rob Lee <rjl@netdex.com> Message-Id: <E390CBE4-78D1-11D7-B7FF-000393BDC780@netdex.com>
The science education reform initiated at ASU is an outstanding program
recognized in 2001 by the US Dept of Education as one of two exemplary
programs in K-12 Science Education. The program is focused on
developing a student-centered approach to "doing science" that allows
students to build models that describe and explain physical phenomena.
The initial focus was on modeling physics, but practitioners are
developing curricula for the other disciplines.
One of my colleagues in the program made the following statement that
reflects the benefits of a modeling approach:
"As I understand it, modeling goes beyond inquiry and metacognition,
though
these are integral to the process. What made modeling distinctive for
me
was the focus on coherent models with broad application to the subject
that
allows students to structure their understanding and guides their
thinking
when they encounter new situations. I was seeing a growing difference
in
how well my students could explain and predict when clear models were
developed (even the rudimentary ones I worked out in my couple of years
of
applying modeling to chemistry). Even in physics, it is the set of
models
we develop together (whether by 'pure' student-centered inquiry methods
or
a somewhat more guided approach) coupled with helping them learn to
think
more deeply about their learning that seems to help students 'get it'
and
keep it."
(Brenda Royce, University HS in Fresno, CA)
In fifteen years of teaching science, this is the the best (and most
useful) in-service training I have received, I highly recommend a look
at this program. You can check out their website and find summer
workshops at:
Rob Lee
Healdsburg HS
Healdsburg, CA
On Saturday, April 26, 2003, at 12:20 AM, Pinhole Listserv wrote:
> Subject: hs sci question
> From: "Eric Muller" <emuller@exploratorium.edu>
> Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2003 11:15:51 -0700
>
> Hi Pinholers,
>
> One of our directors has some general questions.
> If you have something to say, could you post it to Pinhole and send a
> cc to
> her.
> Her address is : bronwynb@exploratorium.edu
>
> Here's the question:
>
> If you were advising a school that wanted to look at their entire
> middle/high science curriculum--about different curricula or models or
> schools that had a good approach--where would you send them?
>
>
> Thanks
> Eric Muller
> Science Educator
> Exploratorium
> Teacher Institute
> 3601 Lyon St.
> San Francisco, CA 94123
> 415 561 0386
>
> www.doscience.com
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