National Science Standards
Science Education
The National Research Council (NRC) envisions the following changes in science education:

Less Emphasis On More Emphasis On
Knowing scientific facts and information

Studying subject matter disciplines (physical, life, earth sciences) for their own sake

Separating science knowledge and science process

Covering many science topics

Implementing inquiry as a set of processes

 Understanding scientific concepts and developing abilities of inquiry

Learning subject matter disciplines in the context of inquiry, technology, science in personal and social perspectives, and history and nature of science 
Integrating all aspects of science content

Studying a few fundamental science concepts

Implementing inquiry as instructional strategies, abilities, and ideas to be learned

Outlines of the Content Standards from National Research Council Science Education Standards (9-12) and the Project 2061 Benchmarks:

NRC Standards Project 2061 Benchmarks
Unifying Concepts and Processes
Scientific Inquiry
Knowledge and Understanding (subject matter strand):
  • Physical Science 
  • Earth and Space Science 
  • Life Science 
  • Science in Personal & Social Perspectives 
  • Science and Technology 
  • History and Nature of Science 
Common Themes
The Nature of Science
Knowledge and Understanding (subject matter strand):
  • The Physical Setting 
  • The Living Environment 
  • The Human Organism 
  • Human Society 
  • The Designed World 
  • Historical Perspectives 

Habits of the Mind

Click below for ETE references to the National Research Council (NRC) Science Education Standards and Project 2061 Benchmarks.

Activities

Basic Modules

Comprehensive Modules

Advanced Modules

For more information regarding Science Standards, see additional National Science Standards resources online:

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Maintained by ETE Team
Last updated January 11, 1999

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