Curriculum
Content Area: Science

Science Goals Teachers of science will endeavor to. . . Encourage a sense of wonder about the natural world in the classroom, in the school yard, in the community, and in the world Instill a sense of confidence and competence in “doing” science to gather information and study the natural world Impart the key concepts and principles of life sciences, physical science, environmental science, earth and space science Empower students to take action if the beauty and balance of the natural world is threatened

Waterloo High School students perform a science experiment.

What Parents Can Do to Help

• Students need opportunities to explore the significance of science in their lives.
• Science study should involve doing science, that is, questioning and discovering – not just covering-material.
• Effective hand-on inquiry involves a series of steps that builds students’ investigative skills including: Questioning, Observation, Organizing Data Explanation, Reflection, and Taking Action
• Meaningful science study will aim to develop thinking, problem solving, and attitudes of curiosity, healthy skepticism, and openness to modifying explanations.
• Science education can build a knowledge base focused on essential concepts rather than disconnected topics or bits of information. Students should explore fewer topics in depth, not skim many superficially.
• Students grow out of misconceptions and naïve theories only by actively engaging in investigations.
• Learning science means integrating reading, writing, speaking, and math.
• Students need to consider issues of application of science & technology.
• Good science teaching involves facilitation, collaborative group work, and a limited, judicious use of information giving.
• Meaningful assessment of student’ learning in science must promote the objectives of a good science curriculum, and not undermine them.

Source:  Best Practice , by Zemelman, Daniels, & Hyde © 1998

Best Instructional Practices to Which We Are Committed
The following are direct quotes and powerful statements from the book, Best Practices, by Steven Zemelman, Harvey Daniels, and Arthur Hyde, © 1998:

"Kids are questioners.  Every parent knows this . . . Much as we can feel dogged by all the questions when the day has been long and dinner still isn't on the table, and much as we feel inadequate to answer them, we need to encourage children's questioning, for this is the real basis of scientific learning."

"Parents should ask teachers and principals about how science is taught in their school.  Are there in-depth, hands-on study units?  Are the kids encouraged to ask questions, develop hypotheses, and interpret data, or is the process primarily lecture, workbook pages, and cookbook experiments?  What kinds of learning do the tests emphasize?  Parents don't need to be scientists or education experts to ask these questions and to evaluate the answers they get.  Communities tend to get the kind of education they demand."

Team Members