Exemplary Science Instructional Materials | Best Practices Instruction | Science Education Research | Science Assessment | Field Trip Opportunities

Exemplary Science Instructional Materials

• Washington State LASER Exemplary Instructional Materials http://www.wastatelaser.org/_events/curricshowcase/ci3.asp
  A list of materials that have been reviewed by Washington State LASER and are considered to be Exemplary Instructional Materials.

• Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS)  http://www.bscs.org/
  The mission of BSCS is to transform science teaching and learning through research and development that strengthens learning environments and inspires a global community of scientifically literate citizens.

• STC and STC/MS http://www.nsrconline.org/curriculum_resources/index.html
  Research-based science education curriculum programs produced and disseminates by the NSRC for use by school districts to construct effective K–12 instructional programs.

• Full Option Science System (FOSS) http://www.lhsfoss.org/
  FOSS is a research-based science program for grades K–8 developed at Lawrence Hall of Science with support from the National Science Foundation and published by Delta Education.

• Science Education for Public Understanding (SEPUP) http://www.sepuplhs.org/about.html
  Issue-oriented science forms the core of SEPUP's curriculum materials designed for use in 6-12 education.

• It’s About Time http://www.its-about-time.com/
  Each of It's About Time's Standards-based, inquiry-based, and integrated curricula were funded by the National Science Foundation.

• Washington State LASER Toolkits http://www.wastatelaser.org/_support/instruction.asp
  LASER-developed teacher toolkits are not intended to replace the published teacher’s guide, but rather to supplement that guide with Washington State GLE-specific information and classroom tips from an experienced Washington State teacher.

 

• LIGO Hanford (LHO)      LIGO Website
  

  LIGO Hanford Observatory, located in the Columbia Basin region of southeastern Washington. LIGO, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory, seeks to detect gravitational waves -- ripples in the fabric of spacetime.

   

             LHO overview of K-12 resources:   http://www.ligo-wa.caltech.edu/teachers.html

        LHO standard menu for in-school offerings:  http://www.ligo-wa.caltech.edu/class_visit.html

        Opportunities for extended interactions with LIGO:

         http://www.ligo-wa.caltech.edu/extended.html

        LIGO Scientific Collaboration home page:   http://www.ligo.org/

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Best Practices for Science Instruction

Effective Science Instruction: What Does Research Tell US?: http://hub.mspnet.org/index.cfm/16096
This brief endeavors to distill the research on science learning to inform a common vision of science instruction and to describe the extent to which K-12 science education currently reflects this vision.

• North Cascades and Olympic Science Partnership: http://www.ncosp.wwu.edu/
  Whether you are a classroom teacher, administrator, or professional development provider, you will find a coherent set of tools and other resources that will help you improve your classroom practice or plan and deliver professional development.

• The Learning Cycle http://www.nsrconline.org/curriculum_resources/learning_cycle.html
  Each STC & STC/MSPROGRAM unit is based on a four-stage learning cycle that is grounded in research on how children learn.

• The BSCS 5E Instructional Model http://www.bscs.org/curriculumdevelopment/features/bscs5es.html
  The BSCS 5E Instructional Model is an effective way to engage students in learning.

• Science Notebooks in K-12 Classrooms http://www.sciencenotebooks.org/
  On this site you will find examples of student work from science notebooks - many from common used commercially developed science instructional materials, information to support the use of science notebooks, and strategies to use notebooks to integrate reading, writing, mathematics, and science.

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Connections to Science Education Research

 How People Learn – Key Findings: http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?isbn=0309065364&page=10
How People Learn provides a broad overview of research on learners and learning and on teachers and teaching.

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Atlas of Science Literacy: http://www.project2061.org/publications/atlas/default.htm
Atlas of Science Literacy is a two-volume collection of conceptual strand maps—and commentary on those maps—that show how students’ understanding of the ideas and skills that lead to literacy in science, mathematics, and technology might develop from kindergarten through 12th grade.

AAAS Benchmarks for Science Literacy: http://www.project2061.org/publications/bsl/default.htm
Benchmarks for Science Literacy is the Project 2061 statement of what all students should know and be able to do in science, mathematics, and technology by the end of grades 2, 5, 8, and 12.

AAAS Science For All Americans: http://www.project2061.org/publications/sfaa/default.htm
Science for All Americans defines science literacy and lays out some principles for effective learning and teaching.

Curriculum Topic Study: http://www.curriculumtopicstudy.org/
Curriculum Topic Study (CTS) is an NSF-funded Teacher Professional Continuum (TPC) project that is developing a coordinated set of science and mathematics materials to help K-12 educators deepen their understanding of the important science and mathematics topics they teach.

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Science Assessment

Assessment Probes CTS Crosswalk to Uncovering Student Ideas in Science
This document organizes the assessment probes from Uncovering. Student Ideas in Science Volumes 1-4 into science topics found in the Curriculum Topic Study Guide.  This is a very handy resource to quickly locate a probe for a topic you are planning to instruction for.

MOSART http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/smgphp/mosart/index.html
Misconceptions-Oriented Standards-Based Assessment Resources for Teachers

OSPI Science Assessment Resources http://www.k12.wa.us/Science/EducatorResources.aspx
This page includes updates to the science assessment system for 2011, sample items to familiarize teachers and students with the item types on the assessments, and scoring information for educators.

Science MSP & HSPE Test and Item Specifications http://www.k12.wa.us/Science/TestItemSpec.aspx

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Thinking About a Field Trip?

LIGO Hanford Observatory   http://www.ligo-wa.caltech.edu/

 Washington State Parks with Environmental Learning Centers: http://www.parks.wa.gov/elcs/

Yakima Arboretum:  http://www.ahtrees.org/
Great for observing trees and birds!

Central Washington Agricultural Museum:  http://www.centralwaagmuseum.org/tours.html
School tours and Programs

Yakima County Solid Waste: http://www.yakimacounty.us/publicservices/solidwaste/school_programs.asp
School Programs and Tours

Wild Horse Wind & Solar Farm: http://www.pse.com/community/tours/Pages/WildAccess.aspx
Tour Information

Pacific Science Center: http://www.pacsci.org/education/
Education Programs

Seattle Aquarium: www.seattleaquarium.org/netcommunity
Thinking about a field trip?  Check out this site’s “Plan a Visit” page.

Museum of Flight:  http://www.museumofflight.org/education
Overview of education programs

Woodland Park Zoo:  http://www.zoo.org/education/classes
Educational programs at Woodland park Zoo

Northwest Trek:  http://www.nwtrek.org/page.php?id=109
School Field trip information

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium: http://www.pdza.org/page.php?id=126
School Feld Trip and Program Information.

Mt. St. Helens Volcanic Monument: http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/mshnvm/
Visitor information

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Partner Organizations:

E³ Washington http://www.e3washington.org/

Education for Sustainable Communities

North Yakima Conservation District: http://nycd.scc.wa.gov/projects-and-program/wow-water-on-wheels.html

Water on Wheels Education Program