Exploration of Science Education Standards

Exploration of Science Education Standards

Science, Standard A: Science Connections, Grade 4: A.4.5 When studying a science-related problem, decide what changes over time are occurring or have occurred

When my mom was working on getting her master’s degree I remember she did an experiment on rivers and how they changed over time and meandered.  I was interested in the topic and when I was in 6^th grade we learned more about this topic.  When rivers have slight curves they become bigger and bigger because of the water flowing through.  Because of this change there can be problems with whose property is whose (if the river split the property) and damaging objects near the edge of the river.

Science, Standard B: Nature of Science, Grade 4: B.4.1 Use encyclopedias, source books, texts, computers, teachers, parents, other adults, journals, popular press, and various other sources, to help answer science-related questions and plan investigations

In high school biology we made a tree journal.  In this journal we had samples of the leaves, we used an encyclopedia for more information and we used a classification book to classify the different leaves and bark.  We used many different resources in order to put the whole book together. 

Science, Standard C: Science Inquiry, Grade 4: C.4.6 Communicate the results of their investigations in ways their audiences will understand by using charts, graphs, drawings, written descriptions, and various other means, to display their answers

 

In this chemistry class for activity one we had used a lot of charts and pictures in order to help others understand our experiment.  We also had to use a few visuals and clips of the concepts to make them easier to understand.  At the end of the activity we even connected our experiment to real life applications.  I think the way this experiment was set up and the questions we had to answer are really helpful for people who are trying to learn those concepts.

Science, Standard D: Physical Science, Grade 4: D.4.6 Observe and describe physical events in objects at rest or in motion

 

When I was in middle school we learned about Newton’s laws.  While learning about this, one thing we did to help with the concept of objects in motion stay in motion and objects at rest stay at rest was a marble run.  Having the marble run competition was a good way to learn and it was also very fun.  After the competition we were all able to better observe and describe physical events in objects at rest or in motion.

Science, Standard E: Earth and Space Science, Grade 4: E.4.7 Using the science themes, describe resources used in the home, community, and nation as a whole

 

In physics class my senior year one of our units was on astronomy.  I learned that there are many different ways for us to learn about space.  Resources that could be used at home could be a telescope; anyone can use a simple telescope and then be able to better see space.  For our class we went to the planetarium which was very interesting and having a planetarium could be a good way for the community to learn more about space.  And for the nation as a whole there are many different things going on; there are informational movies about space, there is NASA always finding new information, and there is the news to keep us updated.

 

Science, Standard F: Life and Environmental, Grade 4: F.4.4 Using the science themes*, develop explanations* for the connections among living and non-living things in various environments

When I was in 6^th grade we were asked “is a flame living?”  Right away I though of course a flame is not living.  But then after our group talked we thought that maybe it was living because it needed oxygen to survive and it need to be “feed” every once in a while.  After we studied the topic for a week or so we came to the conclusion that a flame was not living and we went over what the connections are among living and non-living things in various environments.

Science, Standard G: Science Applications, Grade 4: G.4.2 Discover* what changes in technology have occurred in a career chosen by a parent, grandparent, or an adult friend over a long period of time

My freshman year of college we were asked to do an interview with an elementary school teacher.  One of my questions for the 1^st grade teacher I chose was “how has technology changed your workplace” and she gave many great response including that technology has become the main way for communication to the parents.  It was also mentioned that now with new technology there are no more paper forms, it is all on the computer.  New technology is also beneficial to the students by the giving the teachers greater opportunities for the students to explore new things and learn in efficient ways.

Science, Standard H: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives, Grade 4: H.4.3 Show* how science has contributed to meeting personal needs, including hygiene, nutrition, exercise, safety, and health care.

In this chemistry class for activity three we had to find different products that contained different molecules.  Many of my foods and hygiene products that I had in my dorm room contained ingredients that were also molecules. This helped me see that there is science involved in almost everything I use and eat.  

What do you see are big changes compared to the previous standards?

I see that some of the main changes are the Inclusion of Engineering and connecting science to real life. When science is connected to real life situation it makes it easier for them to understand and comprehend.  This will help to strengthen the learning of the students.  Including Engineering can help many of the students to realize why science is important and how it is relevant to their life.

How are these standards connected to the other displines such as math and literacy?
Integration of math and literacy strengthens science learning for all students.  There are many entry points to build and deepen understandings for students with certain learning disabilities or poor English when math and literacy is integrated into the science. The teacher should try their best to integrate the three subjects because sometimes science gets left out because it is not “important” enough.  But when Science is mixed and applied into math and literacy it only strengthens what is being taught and learned.

What do you see will be challenges for teachers when considering some of the changes in the proposed science standards?
I think that some challenges that teachers may have are changing and fitting it into the curriculum.  Some teachers may have a hard time changing their lesson plans in order to fit the new standards.  Even for the newer teachers who don’t have to worry about changing their lesson plans, it may be hard for them to fit everything into the curriculum because the standards don’t leave much room for the teachers to add in their own things in.