Science: A Work in Progress from edX

This online workshop: Science: A Work in Progress, * is based on ideas presented in _Good Thinking! an original animated series developed by the Smithsonian Science Education Center _*

(SSEC) and FableVision Studios as a professional development resource for K-12 science educators.

In this workshop, we will be observing Ms. Reyes’s classroom as she works with her students to change their understanding of how science works, from the step-by -step scientific method they have memorized, into an understanding of science as a way of learning about and understanding the world.

The idea of a “scientific method” that all scientists use to plan and conduct investigations or pursue improved designs to solve problems is a persistent idea in the teaching of science. Although the understanding that science is a process that can take many pathways has been part of the science standards for the recent past, the steps of the scientific method have persisted in our teaching and our textbooks. Only in some of the most recent editions, has the scientific method been replaced by references to flexible application of the science practices as ways to investigate and explore solutions to new problems and questions.

In this workshop, we will follow Ms. Reyes as she looks for additional information and new ways to present the process of scientific investigation and the nature of science to her students.

The format and organization of the workshop are designed to allow individuals to successfully complete the online learning activities independently as a self-paced class, without the need for outside input or feedback. At the same time, this format was designed to flexibly fit into PLC meetings, PD workshops, or any time that you and your colleagues can meet to absorb some new ideas and discuss your experiences as educators. While the content of the series is relevant to all levels of instruction, teachers working at the oldest and youngest ends of the K-12 range may need to include additional discussion during the post-viewing conversation that addresses the implications of the videos for their specific grade level.

Common Abbreviations in the text

§ Science and Engineering Practices (SEP)

§ Crosscutting Concepts (CCC)

§ Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

§ Framework for K-12 Science Education (Framework)

§ Nature of Science (NOS)

§ Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC)

What's inside

Learning objectives

Workshop objectives:
§ examine the roles of the nature of science and science practices in the teaching of classroom science
§ discover new references and concepts to describe the process of scientific discovery

§ find new opportunities to incorporate scientific practices into classroom science and pick up tips for sharing the nature of science with groups of students
§ increase understanding of instructional strategies presented in the video
§ apply the strategies to planning new instruction

Workshop objectives:
§ examine the roles of the nature of science and science practices in the teaching of classroom science
§ discover new references and concepts to describe the process of scientific discovery
§ find new opportunities to incorporate scientific practices into classroom science and pick up tips for sharing the nature of science with groups of students
§ increase understanding of instructional strategies presented in the video
§ apply the strategies to planning new instruction

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Targets teachers working at both ends of the K-12 range on the topics of scientific discovery, engineering practices, and standards

Specifically examines the Roles of the Nature of Science and Science Practices in the teaching of classroom science

Teachers can take what they learn about instructional strategies and immediately apply them to planning for new instruction

Provides real-world examples of how to incorporate scientific practices and the nature of science into classroom instruction

Teachers should group together to discuss the ideas, but otherwise can self-pace through the modules

Will help teachers to become more familiar with modern standards and best practices in science instruction, but it isn't necessary for their students to be familiar with modern standards and best practices

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Science: A Work in Progress with these activities:

Read "Good Thinking! A Guide to Scientific Reasoning"

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Review key concepts and strategies related to scientific reasoning and the Nature of Science as presented in Irving B. Weiner's book.

View Handbook of Psychology: Research Methods in... on Amazon

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Read Chapters 1-4 to understand the foundations of scientific reasoning.
Focus on Chapters 5-7 to explore the characteristics and limitations of scientific knowledge.
Review Chapters 8-10 to apply scientific reasoning to real-world problems.

Attend a Workshop on the Nature of Science

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Participate in a workshop specifically designed to explore the Nature of Science and its implications for science teaching.

Browse courses on Nature of Science

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Identify and register for a workshop that aligns with your learning goals.
Actively participate in the workshop activities and discussions.
Reflect on what you have learned and develop a plan to apply it to your teaching.

Read "A Framework for K-12 Science Education"

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Review the key concepts presented in the Framework for K-12 Science Education to strengthen your understanding of the Nature of Science and Science Practices.

View Guide to Implementing the Next Generation... on Amazon

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Read Chapters 1-3 to gain an overview of the Framework's goals and structure.
Focus on Chapter 4 to explore the Nature of Science and its implications for science education.
Review Chapters 6-8 to understand the Science Practices and how they can be integrated into the classroom.

Five other activities

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Show all eight activities

Incorporate Science Practices into Lesson Plans

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Design lesson plans that effectively incorporate Science Practices, fostering students' understanding of scientific inquiry and the nature of science.

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Identify the Science Practices that align with the learning objectives of your unit.
Plan activities and investigations that allow students to engage in these Science Practices.
Reflect on and revise your lesson plans based on student outcomes and feedback.

Develop a Lesson Plan on the Nature of Science

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Design a lesson plan that explicitly addresses the Nature of Science and incorporates Science Practices, fostering students' understanding of scientific inquiry.

Browse courses on Nature of Science

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Identify the specific Nature of Science concepts and Science Practices that you want to teach.
Develop learning objectives that align with these concepts and practices.
Plan activities and assessments that allow students to investigate and demonstrate their understanding of the Nature of Science.

Develop a Visual Representation of the Nature of Science

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Create a visual representation, such as a diagram, flowchart, or infographic, to illustrate the key aspects of the Nature of Science and its implications for science teaching.

Browse courses on Nature of Science

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Research the different aspects of the Nature of Science, including its characteristics, values, and limitations.
Brainstorm ideas for visually representing these concepts in a clear and engaging way.
Develop your visual representation, using appropriate tools and design principles.

Analyze Science Articles and Identify Nature of Science Concepts

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Practice analyzing scientific articles to identify and explain the Nature of Science concepts embedded within them.

Browse courses on Nature of Science

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Select scientific articles that cover a range of topics and perspectives.
Read and analyze the articles, paying attention to the methods, results, and conclusions.
Identify instances where the articles exemplify or challenge different aspects of the Nature of Science.

Facilitate a Peer Discussion on the Nature of Science

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Lead a discussion with peers or colleagues to delve deeper into the Nature of Science, share perspectives, and explore its implications for teaching and learning.

Browse courses on Nature of Science

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Identify a specific aspect or question related to the Nature of Science for discussion.
Facilitate the discussion, encouraging active participation and sharing of diverse views.
Summarize the key points and takeaways from the discussion.

Career center

Learners who complete Science: A Work in Progress will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Science Education Researcher

As a Science Education Researcher, you will conduct studies on the best ways to improve the teaching and learning of science. This course can help build a foundation for designing research studies with better research methodology, helping to add more rigor to your findings and conclusions. It may also provide you with ideas for how to help your own students or learners achieve the greatest successes in their own scientific studies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Education Researcher

Science Museum Exhibit Developer

Science Museum Exhibit Developers create and design exhibits for science museums. The Smithsonian Institution is a leader in this field. This course can help build a foundation for success in this role by providing you with the knowledge of the scientific process and an understanding of what kinds of experiences are most likely to inspire visitors to learn about science at your museum.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Museum Exhibit Developer

Science Textbook Writer

Science Textbook Writers create instructional texts used by students and teachers across the country. As textbooks are updated regularly to reflect changes in the scientific understanding of our world, this course can help build a foundation for your role by equipping you to present scientific ideas to students in a clear and accurate way. You may also gain ideas for what kinds of activities and exercises would be most helpful to your audience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Textbook Writer

Science Photographer

Science Photographers combine their passion for science and art to capture images of the scientific world. Many work for science magazines, agencies, or research institutions. This course can help build a foundation for success in this role, as it provides you with a deeper understanding of the scientific process, helping you to convey the value and wonder of science through your work. It may also help you to develop a closer relationship with the scientists that you work with to create these photographs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Photographer

Science Teacher

As a Science Teacher, you will lead classrooms of students to explore the inner workings of the world around them. This course, Science: A Work in Progress, can help build a foundation of pedagogical methods that can inspire creative and logical thinking in your students. You may not have excelled in science yourself as a student, but this course can empower you to help your students reach their full potential in a way that makes them excited about learning. Through this workshop, you can gain confidence in sharing science and the scientific method with your students.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Teacher

Science Journalist

Science Journalists report on scientific discoveries and advances. This course can help build a foundation for success as a Science Journalist, as it may help you to develop a deeper understanding of the scientific process and scientific practices. By gaining a clearer picture of the nature of science, you may be able to more easily translate scientific concepts and breakthroughs for public consumption.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Journalist

Science Curriculum Developer

In your role as Science Curriculum Developer, you will have the unique opportunity to help shape the next generation of scientists. This course, Science: A Work in Progress, may be useful for informing your approach to curriculum development. You may gain insights on how to create science curricula that are both engaging and effective and that reflect the most up-to-date research on how students learn science.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Curriculum Developer

Science Grant Writer

Science Grant Writers create and manage grant proposals that seek funding for scientific research. This course can help build a foundation for success as a Science Grant Writer, as it may help you gain a stronger understanding of the scientific process and the kinds of research that are most likely to be funded. It may also help you learn how to write more persuasive and effective grant proposals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Grant Writer

Science Policy Analyst

In your role as Science Policy Analyst, you will gain a deeper understanding of how policies and regulations impact scientific exploration and discovery. This course can help build a foundation for your role by giving you a clearer picture of the value of science to society and the world around us. Knowledge of the scientific process will help you to analyze and interpret relevant data in order to make sound policy recommendations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Policy Analyst

Science Librarian

Science Librarians help library patrons access, find, and use scientific and technical information. This course can help build a foundation for success as a Science Librarian as it may help you gain a stronger understanding of the scientific process and the kinds of information that researchers and scientists need. It may also help you to create new programs and outreach initiatives to help people in your community engage with science.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Librarian

Educational Consultant

As an Educational Consultant, you will provide support and guidance to schools and other educational organizations. This course, Science: A Work in Progress, can help build a foundation for success by giving you a better understanding of how teachers teach science. You may gain new ideas on how to help educators at all levels to update their pedagogical methods, improve their curricula, and discover new resources to share with their students.

See salaries and explore the career path for Educational Consultant

Science Communicator

As a Science Communicator, you can play a vital role as a bridge between the scientific community and the public. By understanding the process of scientific discovery and the nature of science, this course can help build a foundation for excellence in communicating science. It may also help you become more confident and effective in engaging with audiences who may not have your level of expertise and knowledge on scientific topics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Communicator

Instructional Designer

As an Instructional Designer, you will design, develop, deliver, and assess learning experiences and programs. This course may be useful for gaining ideas for how to create science learning materials and assessments that are effective and engaging. It can help build a foundation for your role by introducing you to a variety of different instructional strategies and how to apply them to science education.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

Science Administrator

Science Administrators oversee the day-to-day operations of science organizations and institutions. Understanding the basic principles of science through this course could help you better understand the needs of scientists you work with daily. It may also help you make more informed decisions and help guide an organization's strategic planning and budgeting.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Administrator

Science Writer

In the role of a Science Writer, you will have opportunities to inform or educate audiences on a variety of scientific topics. This course may be useful for sharpening your writing by providing you with new ideas on how to clearly and engagingly communicate scientific concepts to readers. The course can help build a foundation for discussing the nuances of science and discovery which may help to make your writing more authentic and compelling for your audience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Writer