Background. The values and beliefs fundamental to developing scientific knowledge, referred to as nature of science (NOS), are a significant component of cultivating scientific literacy. Helping students develop in-depth and accurate conceptions of NOS has been a shared objective of science education for many years and continues to be considered an essential goal of major science education reform efforts. In addition to NOS, the Next Generation of Science Education Standards (NGSS) emphasizes the importance of students learning science and engineering practices relevant to concepts that are fundamental to science disciplines. The incorporation of these practices is one of the major distinctions of the NGSS from previous standards, making it
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The researcher proposes a three-year plan to revise the current Educators Evaluating the Quality of Instructional Products (EQuIP) Rubric for Lessons and Units: Science, currently focused on practices, disciplinary core ideas, and crosscutting concept. Revisions would be facilitated by teachers after participating in a summer research experience program aimed at highlighting science and engineering practices and NOS by participating in scientific research and reflective seminar. The revised rubric would incorporate the eight basic NOS understandings, identified in the NGSS, into the EQuIP Rubric. This would allow teachers to review lesson plans, identify appropriate revisions, and inform the development of instruction that addresses both science and engineering practices and …show more content…
Among the most immediate impacts of this study would be the connections created between the teachers and research scientists, this addresses a long standing disconnect between what is taught in classrooms and what is being researched in labs around the world. An increase in the students scientific literacy allowing them to become active and educated in the issues affecting their communities as well as the issues being faced by the nation and worldwide. With a better understanding of how science knowledge is gained and what participation in this process is like, student interest in STEM courses and careers could be increased. This research can help develop a tool that can be used across the nation in any science classroom to help improve how students view and learn
The researcher proposes a three-year plan to revise the current Educators Evaluating the Quality of Instructional Products (EQuIP) Rubric for Lessons and Units: Science, currently focused on practices, disciplinary core ideas, and crosscutting concept. Revisions would be facilitated by teachers after participating in a summer research experience program aimed at highlighting science and engineering practices and NOS by participating in scientific research and reflective seminar. The revised rubric would incorporate the eight basic NOS understandings, identified in the NGSS, into the EQuIP Rubric. This would allow teachers to review lesson plans, identify appropriate revisions, and inform the development of instruction that addresses both science and engineering practices and …show more content…
Among the most immediate impacts of this study would be the connections created between the teachers and research scientists, this addresses a long standing disconnect between what is taught in classrooms and what is being researched in labs around the world. An increase in the students scientific literacy allowing them to become active and educated in the issues affecting their communities as well as the issues being faced by the nation and worldwide. With a better understanding of how science knowledge is gained and what participation in this process is like, student interest in STEM courses and careers could be increased. This research can help develop a tool that can be used across the nation in any science classroom to help improve how students view and learn