Message-Id: <v01540b02b0f2cf1076ca@[204.188.208.59]>
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 1998 15:52:22 -0800
To: pinhole@exploratorium.edu
From: pwilding@marin.k12.ca.us (Peter Wilding)
Subject: The Antioch USD Integrated Science program.
Fellow Pinholers,
If you saw the recent article in the Chronicle about the Antioch USD
Coordinated Science curriculum, I should say that I sent the letter below
to the editor. We (San Rafael HS faculty) are offering help to any Antioch
USD faculties.
Editor,
Classroom Chronicles
San Francisco Chronicle.
Sir or Madam,
I am writing in response to the article published on 1/20/98 about
the Antioch USD Integrated Science program. I would like to highlight the
benefits of science programs that relate science concepts to student's
lives and personal experiences, and that articulate the concepts in
increasing sophistication through the grade levels. I must emphasize that
Integrated Science courses do not 'just give a broad overview' or 'a
smattering of everything" and I cite the many courses throughout the State
of California that are providing rigorous college preparatory instruction,
approved for admission credit by the best universities in the country,
including Harvard, Yale, Stanford and the UC system.
Integrated or Coordinated Science courses are designed to provide
instruction in biology, chemistry, physics and earth science with gradually
increasing quantitative demands, so that at the completion of a three year
sequence at high school level, students have covered the concepts that they
would have covered in the traditional sequence, as well as some earth
science concepts. These concepts are covered in detail and emphasize
individual critical thinking, experimental design and problem solving
exercises. Research and laboratory experiments are often open ended to
allow students to stretch themselves, rather than simply completing
worksheet based labs.
As a nation, the US is practically alone in using a one year
broad sweep of curriculum to impart all a student needs to know about any
isolated science, for example, chemistry. Recently the Third International
Mathematics and Science Study was carried out by various US Universities
under the auspices of the US Department of Education. The study documented
that, in striking contrast to the rest of the world, US science courses
cover a multitude of topics in any one subject area at a shallow depth. A
spiraling integrated program allows student development to occur over time
in order to master the more difficult topics in depth. In well designed
integrated science programs the topics are presented at increasing levels
of complexity, to achieve student understanding of demanding topics.
The development of integrated science programs in California began
in 1990 with the aid of a National Science Foundation grant. Schools and
districts designed their own programs in accordance with the State
Science Framework. This strategy allowed science departments and districts
to maximize their use of local resources and therefore student interest in
their local environment. There are many exemplary models of successful
integrated programs throughout the state, and I would recommend that some
staff from Antioch USD visit some of them and modify their curriculum.
The 1996 National Science Education Standards, the 1997 California
Science Framework and the 1993 Science for all Americans documents all
advocate that students learn every science every year. The Stanford 9
Achievement test that will be administered to all high school students at
9th, 10th and 11th grade in 1998 is designed to ' assess understanding in
the domains of the life, physical and earth sciences' and ' emphasizes the
unifying themes and concepts of, science.' Clearly an integrated approach
is most appropriate for students being educated to be scientifically
literate and be informed citizens in the 21st century.
I invite your reporter to visit San Rafael HS and look at our
Science and Technology program, as well as the Tamalpais District
Integrated science programs, which have data to support their beneficial
effect upon students. I will be in touch with Antioch USD and offer our
collegial assistance.
Peter Wilding,
Chair, Science and Technology Department
San Rafael HS.
- Every Science --- Peter Wilding -- California SS&C --
- Every Student --- pwilding@marin.k12.ca.us --
- Every Year Home fax and phone 415 892 3054--
- Coordinated Science Series - Cambridge University Press--