Courtney Loynachan was a student in Dr. Lindquist's summer 2014 "Teaching Science in the Elementary School" methods course at Hamline University in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The course included an exploration of the power of writing as a learning tool for science with a particular focus on the use of science notebooks. Throughout the…

Guided by a new framework, the NAEP science assessment was updated in 2009 to keep the content current with key developments in science, curriculum standards, assessments, and research. The 2009 framework organizes science content into three broad content areas. Physical science includes concepts related to properties and changes of matter, forms…

A representative sample of 122,000 eighth-graders participated in the 2011 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) science assessment, which is designed to measure students' knowledge and abilities in the areas of physical science, life science, and Earth and space sciences. This report covers the overall results, achievement level…

The after-school science club at Galtier Math, Science, and Technology Elementary Magnet School in St. Paul, Minnesota, learned some valuable lessons when they took newfound knowledge about pollution into their homes. After learning about the effects of various contaminants on health and what informed citizens can do about it, students tested…

Describes Minnesota's approach to science education. The state has a history of "hands-on" science and a logical, sequenced middle-school curriculum based on common standards for all children that emphasizes creative thinking, inquiry, and experimentation. (LMI)

Reports fourth-grade results in a statewide science assessment program in Minnesota for grades 4, 8, and 11 and a comparable study conducted in Minneapolis. Suggests that hands-on, materials-centered elementary science programs properly managed and accompanied by inservice education are effective. (DC)

The Minnesota Sea Grant Education Sub-program provided funds to the University of Minnesota in 1980 to develop aquatic education materials (dealing with freshwater systems) for grades 5-9. The project resulted in the development and classroom testing of 13 instructional modules. A second grant (1982) funded workshops to introduce Minnesota…

Elementary Science Study (ESS) units were examined by elementary teachers on a science writing team to identify energy education concepts within the existing curriculum in Minnesota. The outline of energy education concepts is given here along with some energy education science activities for elementary students. The activities are structured into…

This handbook is designed to meet the aquatic education needs of Minnesota elementary teachers and students (aquatic education referring to the study of freshwater systems). The handbook is divided into three parts. Part 1 (an introduction) provides an overview of aquatic education, a description of the use of the handbook, and two indexes to…

Inverness Research studied the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) Seminars on Science program for eight years, from its inception in 1998 to 2006. This paper presents teacher survey ratings for "Genetics, Genomics, Genethics", along with profiles of three teachers who took the course. Course takers report on the annual follow-up…

Basic water-related concepts and underlying principles of acid rain are described in this curriculum in a manner that young children can understand. The curriculum consists of activities presented in four units: Background Unit, Earth Science Unit, Life Science Unit, and Extension Unit. The first three units consist of several modules, each module…

The Minnesota Science Education Task Force initiated a state-wide survey in 1983 to assess the current status of science education in Minnesota schools. This process involved instrument revision, sample design, data collection, file preparation and analysis. Questionnaires were modified to obtain information on the role of science teachers, the…

This document provides curriculum planners with models of learner outcomes that can be incorporated into a science curriculum and science essential learner outcomes. The first chapter includes a list of educational system values and learner values, philosophy of education, the mission for public education, and learner goals that describe the…