Transcript Science Education Reform - American Geosciences Institute

Investigating Earth
Systems
Development and Publication
ORIGINS
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National Assessment of Educational Progress
AGI Earth Science Content Guidelines: Grades K-12
Standards and Benchmarks
National Science Foundation
National Assessment of Educational
Progress
• Regular studies by NAEP and NCES
reveal….
– Low levels of achievement in math and science
– High percentage of teachers without
specialization
– Lack of school support for teacher enhancement
Earth Science Content Guidelines:
Grades K-12
• AGI 1991
– Essential Questions
– Key Ideas
– Seeking Answers
• Content Domains
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Solid Earth
Water
Air
Ice
Life
Earth in Space
Standards and Benchmarks
• National Research Council
• AAAS Project 2061
– Promote depth and
understanding in curriculum
– Focus on the needs of all
students
– View reform as systemic
change
– Emphasize role of inquiry in
learning
– Contain Earth and Space
Science as Separate Content
Domain
National Science Foundation
• Provides funding for:
– Standards-based curriculum
– Teacher enhancement
– Implementation centers
• Funded AGI to produce:
– Investigating Earth Systems (1994)
– EarthComm (1995)
Overview:
– Nine modules, each six weeks in length
– Seven investigations with culminating research project
Goals:
– Help students learn earth science content
– Help students learn how to do inquiry
– Motivate students to continue their study of earth
science in high school
DEVELOPMENT and TESTING
• Drafted by university faculty-teacher teams
in…
• Pilot tested by … middle school teachers in
…
• Revised by … in…
• Field tested by … middle school teachers in
… states in the … school year.
Evaluation Results
“.”
Independent Project Evaluator’s Report
PUBLICATION
Other IAT Programs:
• Publishes only NSFfunded and field tested
programs.
• Supports implementation
with teacher workshops,
software, and Materials
kits.
TEACHER ENHANCEMENT
TEACHER ENHANCEMENT
Additional Outcomes
IMPLEMENTATION
FURTHER INFORMATION
It’s About Time
• 1-888-698-TIME
• www.its-about-time.com
American Geological Institute
• www.agiweb.org/education/