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Introduction
r ~
. he National Science Education
Standards, published in 1996 by the National Research Council,
presents a strong case for the importance of scientific literacy for
all Americans. The Standards emphasizes that "everyone needs to
use scientific information to make choices that arise every day.
Everyone needs to be able to engage intelligently in public dis-
course and debate about important issues of science and technol-
ogy. And everyone deserves to share in the excitement and per-
sonal fulfillment that can come from understanding and learning
about the natural world."
Scientific literacy is also increasingly important in the work-
place. More anct more jobs require that people be prepared to
think critically, solve problems, and use technology effectively. Fur-
thermore, we need a scientifically literate public if we are to com-
pete successfully in the global marketplace.
One proven way to achieve these goals is to begin to teach sci-
ence in elementary school, as early as kindergarten. Through a
particular approach to science education, called inquiry-centered sci-
ence, children learn to ask questions, experiment, develop theo-
ries, and communicate their ideas.
This book outlines a model of a science education system that
fosters the teaching of inquiry-centered science. The model, which
is based on research and practice, consists of five elements: a re-
search-based. inouirv-centered curriculum; professional develom
1 ~
meet; materials support; appropriate assessment strategies; and
community and administrative support. These elements all work to-
gether as a unified whole, yet each element is significant in itself and
must be understood on its own terms. Therefore, the book not only
explores each element but also describes how they work together.
1
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Introduction
To further illustrate the ideas put forth here, the book in-
cludes a series of case studies that show how the model is being im-
plemented in different school districts nationwide. The case stud-
ies provide eviclence that by implementing the National Science
Resources Center (NSRC) moclel for science education reform,
school districts also go a long way toward implementing the rec-
ommendations in the National Science Education Standards.
Organization of Science for Al! Children
This book is diviclecI into three parts. Part 1: Building a Foundation
for Change explains the rationale for inquiry-centered science
and provides some basic tools for planning for such a program. It
includes the following four chapters:
Chapter 1: The Value of Science Education
Chapter 2: How Children Learn
Chapter 3: Sharing the Vision of Exemplary Elementary Science
Chapter 4: Planning for the New Elementary Science Program
Chapter 1 opens with a (1iscussion about inquiry-centered el-
ementary science and what the research says about its effective-
ness. Chapter 2 explores how inquiry-centered science builcls on
what we know about how children learn. Chapter 3 presents an
overview of the live elements of an effective elementary science
program, and Chapter 4 (discusses how school districts can begin
the strategic planning process.
Part 2: The Nuts and Bolts of Change explains how to imple-
ment an inquiry-centered science program by focusing on the five
elements of the NSRC model for science education reform. This
section includes the following chapters:
Chapter 5: Criteria for Selecting Inquiry-Centered Science
Curriculum Materials
Chapter 6: Professional Development for Inquiry-Centered
Science
Chapter 7: Establishing a Science Materials Support Center
Chapter S: Assessment Strategies for Inquiry-Centered Science
Chapter 9: Building Support for the Science Program
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Introduction
Science is for all students: First-grad~rs discover the wonders of
insects during a science module on organisms.
Part 3: Inquiry-Centered Science in Practice is a collection of
eight case studies of efforts to implement the model of inquiry-
centered science described in Part 2. The school districts and pro-
grams profiled are Montgomery County Public Schools, Mont-
gomery County, Maryland; Spokane School District X1, Spokane,
Washington; East Baton Rouge Parish Public School System, East
Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana; Cupertino Union School District,
Cupertino, California; Hands-On Activity Science Program,
Huntsville, Alabama; Pasadena Unified School District, Pasadena,
California; City Science (San Francisco Unified School District),
San Francisco, California; and the Einstein Project, Green Bay
Wisconsin.
Each of these districts came to reform in a slightly different
way. Some were self-motivated and began the reform process within
their own school districts; other reform efforts were spearheaded by
a corporate sponsor. Still other school districts worked with mem-
bers of the scientific community through a partnership with an aca
3
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Introduction
clemic institution. Finally, some school districts joined together to
form consortia, another effective way to implement change.
Recommendations for further reacting are included at the
end of each chapter. The appendixes provide additional re-
sources. Appendix A describes professional associations and gov-
ernment agencies involved in science education reform. Appendix
B describes exemplary elementary science curriculum materials.
Plow to Use Science for At! Children
This book may be used by many members of a school district or
community, including teachers, administrators, school board mem-
bers, parents, and scientists. Therefore, readers may wish to focus
on the sections of greatest interest. For example, a school board
president, a concerned parent, or a PTA activist may choose to
react Part ~ (Chapters T-4) carefully. It presents research data con-
firming the effectiveness of inquiry-centereci science as well as
other arguments supporting teaching in this way. This section can
help you build a case to take to your school administration or com-
munity members.
Teachers and school administrators committed to inquiry-
centered science will find Part 2 particularly useful. Chapters 5-9
explain how to implement an inquiry-centerecl science program.
Important information about selecting curriculum materials, cre-
ating opportunities for professional development, setting up and
maintaining a materials support center, and developing new strate-
gies for assessing student learning is inclucle(1 here.
Everyone involved in education will find Part 3 helpful. The
case studies explain how eight programs have implemented sci-
ence education reform and explore some of the "ups and clowns"
that school officials and community activists have experienced
along the way.
We hope that everyone who works with children and is inter-
estec3 in their education will finch this book both useful en c! infor-
mative. Furthermore, we hope that it will inspire educators to be-
come engaged in implementing inquiry-centered elementary
science programs in their school districts.
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Representative terms from entire chapter:
school districts
