Initial Case to Conider

Fallacies as Norms

This case raises the issue that questions the nature of science teaching being used around the world.

Invitations to Inquiry

Focus questions for the chapter.

Key invitations include How and why have the goals of science education changed, and what will science education emphasize in the early part of the twenty-first century?

Inquiry Activities

Inquiry Activity 4.1: The Goals of the Science Curriculum

Inquiry Activity 4.2: Icons of Science Education: How Do They Tell the Story of Science Education

Inquiry Activity 4.3: How Were Course Improvement Projects of the 1960s Different from the Reform Projects of the 1990s?

Ranking goals of science teaching and comparing the results to a research study.

An inquiry into the major phases of the history of ideas in science education by identifying icons.

Comparing and contrasting projects from the Golden Age of Science Education to the Reform Era of the 1990s and into the 21st Century

Case Studies on the Companion Site

Devine Intervention

New Science Goals---Just Another Fad

The issue of creation science is explored.

A parent objects to a "new" set of goals for a science course.

Problems and Extensions

Sample: Design a time line of events in the history of science teaching in the last two centuries. Plot the events on adding machine tape.

A powerful way to help your students understand changes in their profession.

Readings

Included are some important books (the Pathway series) published by NSTA that help teachers understand the NSES.

On the Web

Links to key projects related to the development of the NSES.