The authoring organizations stress that science, engineering, and technology can provide answers to meeting many of humanity's great challenges, both present and future. This book is proposing a new approach to science at all grade levels that will capture students’ interest and provide them with the necessary foundational knowledge in the field.
To quote the press release:
Framework for K-12 Science Education outlines a broad set of expectations for students in science and engineering in grades K-12. These expectations will inform the development of new standards for K-12 science education and, subsequently, revisions to curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional development for educators. This book identifies three dimensions that convey the disciplinary core ideas and practices around which science and engineering education in these grades should be built. These three dimensions are: cross-cutting concepts that unify the study of science and engineering through their common application across these fields; scientific and engineering practices; and core ideas in four disciplinary areas: physical sciences, life sciences, earth and space sciences, and engineering, technology, and the applications of science. The overarching goal is for all high school graduates to have sufficient knowledge of science and engineering to engage in public discussions on science-related issues; be careful consumers of scientific and technological information; and have the skills to enter the careers of their choice.
Framework for K-12 Science Education is the first step in a process that will inform state-level decisions and provide a research-grounded basis for improving science teaching and learning across the country. The book will guide standards developers, curriculum designers, assessment developers, teacher educators, state and district science administrators, teachers, and educators who work in informal science environments.I find this interesting and exciting and have bookmarked the document to download and read later this week. I'm glad someone is taking this approach but I fear that the statement, "will inform state level decisions" was made by someone who never dealt with Rick Perry and the Texas Board of Education.
Still, I'm eager to see what they've come up with and how it might be integrated in some of the things that I teach! If you'd like to review it, it is currently available as a PREPRINT at this link (sidebar on left)
