National
Science Standards
The National Research Council (NRC) envisions the following changes
in science education:
Less
Emphasis On:
- Knowing scientific
facts and information
- Studying subject matter
disciplines (physical, life, earth sciences) for their own sake
- Separating science
knowledge and science process
- Covering many science
topics
- Implementing inquiry
as a set of processes
More
Emphasis On:
- Understanding scientific
concepts and developing abilities of inquiry
- Learning subject matter
disciplines in the context of inquiry, technology, science in
personal and social perspectives, and history and nature of science
Integrating all aspects of science content
- Studying a few fundamental
science concepts
- Implementing inquiry
as instructional strategies, abilities, and ideas to be learned
Outlines of the Content
Standards from National Research Council Science Education Standards
(9-12) and the Project 2061 Benchmarks:
NRC Standards:
Unifying Concepts and Processes
Scientific Inquiry
Knowledge and Understanding (subject matter strand):
- Physical
Science
- Earth and
Space Science
- Life Science
- Science
in Personal & Social Perspectives
- Science
and Technology
- History
and Nature of Science
Project 2061 Benchmark:
Common Themes
The Nature of Science
Knowledge and Understanding (subject matter strand):
- The Physical
Setting
- The Living
Environment
- The Human
Organism
- Human Society
- The Designed
World
- Historical
Perspectives
Habits of the Mind
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