 I am pleased to announce an exciting field-test opportunity for eighth-grade middle school science teachers! BSCS seeks teacher-collaborators for an important research project funded by the US Department of Education. The overall goal of the project is to improve learning in science for all students. Teacher-collaborators will field test a standards- and inquiry-based unit (4-5 chapters) for eighth grade from a multidisciplinary science program currently under development. Teacher and student feedback will play a key role in informing the revision of the materials. Field test teachers will choose one major content area (Life Science, Physical Science, Earth Science, or Science and Society) and will teach a unit on that content area to their students between September and December, 2010.
As a former classroom teacher, I can assure you that BSCS is developing this program with the best approaches to student learning in mind. These approaches are based on current research in learning and teaching for conceptual understanding and include literacy strategies, sense-making strategies, and a constructivist approach to teaching and learning science. Each unit addresses standards that closely align with state and national standards for eighth grade science. The following concepts are addressed in each unit:
Physical Science
• Energy has many forms; it is not created or used up
• Heat is transferred in predictable ways and is involved in most energy transformations
• Light is a form of energy and interacts with matter in various ways
• Electrical energy is produced by and can transform into other forms of energy
Life Science
• Populations are shaped by the things individuals need (including energy) and other living things
• Energy transformations shape patterns and relationships in ecosystems
• Energy stored by living systems is used in human societies
• Understanding the role of energy in living systems helps societies make environmental decisions
Science & Society
• Understanding health requires knowledge of energy and systems
• Humans require energy to function
• Energy balance relates to human health
• The systems of the body respond to exercise
• The body does not function correctly when systems are disrupted
Earth/Space Science
• Planetary systems have objects (stars, planets, moons, asteroids, comets) whose motion is controlled by the force of gravity
• Energy flows and changes within and among Earth systems
• Radiant energy moves from the Sun to the Earth and back to space
• Energy is transferred from the tropics to the poles and back to space, causing climate and weather patterns on Earth
• Energy is transferred and converted from Earth systems to humans for use as electricity and to power cars, houses, etc., then is transferred back out to space
In addition, units in all disciplines address key standards in critical analysis, scientific thinking, and the history and nature of science. Each unit will ultimately be part of the multidisciplinary curriculum BSCS Science: An Inquiry Approach, Grade 8.
BSCS will select collaboration sites and teachers using a variety of criteria to ensure a diverse group of field test teachers and students, including geographic location, student diversity, and the teacher’s professional experience. Field test teachers will attend a two- or three-day orientation August 4-6, 2010, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. BSCS will provide travel, lodging, and meals for the field test orientation. In addition, BSCS will provide field-test teachers with a $700 stipend: $350 the orientation, and $350 after receipt of evaluation materials. BSCS is unable to provide funds for substitute teachers. After completing orientation, teachers will field test the 4-5 chapter unit in their classrooms. Each chapter is scheduled to last approximately two weeks on a traditional (50-55 minute) schedule. The field test process involves
• administering pre- and post-tests
• teaching all chapters of the unit to the same class or group of students
• having BSCS writers visit classrooms during the field test to see how the materials are performing
• providing BSCS writers with artifacts of student work
• answering questions about each activity in online surveys (one survey per activity)
Field testing will begin at the start of the 2010 school year and will continue through December, 2010, or until teachers complete the unit.
We are excited about working with classroom teachers around the country to develop leadership in teaching multidisciplinary science. If you are interested in field testing an eighth grade science unit, please click here to download and complete the application. Teachers serving high minority populations are especially encouraged to apply. If you have questions, please contact me (Sue Kowalski) at skowalski@bscs.org or 719.219.4148.
The deadline for submitting the application is 4 June 2010.
Please feel free to pass on this information to any of your colleagues who might be interested. We look forward to hearing from you!
Thank you,
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