Our science education philosophy, principles, and goals come from A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas published by the National Research Council, which informed the Next Generation Science Standards.
Philosophy
Science, engineering, and technology permeate nearly every facet of modern life, and they also hold the key to meeting many of humanity’s most pressing current and future challenges. Facing these challenges require social, political, and economic solutions that must be informed by deep knowledge of the underlying science and engineering. Teaching what all students should know in preparation for their roles as citizens in this technology-rich and scientifically complex world is essential for responsible personal and civic decision making.
Principles
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Children are born investigators who enter school with their own ideas about the world and how it works, which educators can use as a foundation to build understanding.
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Instruction should focus on core ideas and practices to allow for deep exploration of important topics and time for students to develop meaningful understanding.
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Students need sustained opportunities to work with and develop understanding over a long period of time.
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Science is not just a body of knowledge that reflects current understanding of the world; it is also a set of practices to establish, extend, and refine that knowledge.
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Classroom learning experiences in science need to connect with students’ interests and experiences.
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Equity in science education requires that all students are provided with equitable opportunities to learn science and become engaged in science and engineering practices.
Goals
By the end of 12th grade, students should have gained sufficient knowledge of science and engineering to:
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Engage in public discussions on science-related issues
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Be critical consumers of scientific and technological information related to their everyday lives
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See themselves as capable of using science and engineering to successfully navigate a complex world
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Enter careers of their choice, including (but not limited to) careers in science, engineering, and technology