VA 2010 Science SOL Revisions & Next
Generation Science Standards: Status
A Short Summary for Policy-Makers
Jim Batterson
VSBA Annual Conference
Williamsburg, VA
November 17, 2011
Thom Pinelli
Thomas.e.pinelli@nasa.gov
Jim Batterson
Jimbatterson@live.com
Outline
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Define our terms!
Good K-12 STEM Standards - Process
VA K-12 Science
VA K-12 Engineering
Next Generation Science Stds (National)
STEM Components & Innovation Defined
• Science – the study of the physical world and its manifestations,
especially through systematic observation and experiments.
• Technology – the application of scientific and engineering
knowledge to achieve a practical result.
• Engineering – the creation or development of new devices and
objects that are of importance or value to humans and society.
• Mathematics – a branch of pure science or philosophy (logic) that
in its applied state can be used to help make quantitative analysis
and predictions for science, technology, and engineering.
Innovation – Creation of new value
The 2010 Gulf Oil Spill:
Scientists’ & Engineers’ Roles
The Saturday May 29 NY Times had two articles correctly
emphasizing the difference in focus of engineers versus scientists
(though both rely heavily on one another's work in the end)
pg A10: "Little Headway on Leak is Made by Engineers"
pg A11: "Scientists Build a Case for Undersea Plumes"
Scientists are focused on discovery and understanding;
Engineers are focused on solving a societal problem
Example 1:
Humans to the Moon and Safely Home
Carried out by:
Need for National Response to
Sputnik/Cold War/Missile Gap
Humans to the Moon
Engineers & many other
professions & skills
Innovation – and Safely Return
Engineers, Technicians
Technology – Clothing, Computers
& Scientists
Scientists
& Engineers
Mathematicians
Rockets, Protective
Science – Newton’s Laws of Motion/Gravitation, Chemistry
Mathematics – Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry,
Calculus
Three Skill-sets Must Play Together
for Good STEM Standards
University
Gov’t labs
Industry
Practicing
Scientists &
Engineers
Good STEM
Standards
K-12 Teachers &
Schools of Ed
State Departments
of Education
Subject Matter
Experts
Pedagogy
Experts
Stds Writing
Experts
What is Taught
How It’s Taught*
How It is “Catalogued”
* Including appropriate age/grade level
Bringing a Broad Practitioners’
Perspective to VA K-12 STEM
Standards
• Virginia Secretary of Education and NASA co-sponsor
panels of scientists and engineers to carry out
independent standards review in 2007
– Capstone science courses of chemistry & physics
– K-12 program in engineering
• Science panels’ findings will inform State Board of
Education 2010 septennial science SOL (standards)
Review
Distribution of Panelists in 2007 VA SOL
Gap Analysis
• University
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
• Research Labs
UVA
VA Tech
W&M
HU
CNU
JMU
VCU/J. Sargent Reynolds CC
University of Southern California
ODU
–
–
–
–
–
–
Jefferson Lab (DOE)
NSWC – Dahlgren (DOD)
NSWC – Indian Head (DOD)
NASA – Langley (Exec Agency)
NASA – Johnson (Exec Agency)
Naval Research Lab (DOD)
• K-12
– Chantilly Academy Fairfax
– Jamestown High School
Northrop-Grumman
– Appomattox Gov School
Micron Technology
– Newport News Public Schools
LUNA Innovations
– Piedmont Governor’s School
National Institute of Aerospace
+Panel membership did not cover “A to Z”
Lockheed Martin
but did cover “A to W” (Astronaut to Weed Scientist!)
• Industry
–
–
–
–
–
*This is unique in that K-12 SOL committees are
often populated almost entirely by K-12 people
Charge to Scientist Panels
• Charge to Panels: What (physics/chemistry) content do the
80% - 90% of Virginia’s high school students* who rely on
SOL (state standards) need to know to participate in political,
economic, social, and technological world of the 21st
century?
– Preparing to be a competent citizen: Not about advanced science
*In 2006-07, 14.6% of VA high school students took AP,
1% were in governor’s schools, 0.3% in IB
Findings & Recommendations
• Finding: VA Science SOL are very well
written & articulated BUT reflect a century old
approach to science with content dated to the
1960’s (Sputnik era)
• Recommendations (Science)
– Move from a discipline-centric curriculum in high school to
“Science & Engineering 1,2,3,4”, or
– Adopt Leon Lederman’s “ARISE” program which teaches
physics first, followed by chemistry, and then biology, or
– At a minimum, replace some outdated content in the current
courses with 21st century content
SOL as Found in 2007 (2003 revision)
• Cathode ray tubes (TV picture tubes) were taught but not transistors, LED, LCD,
or plasmas
• In a world that, one might argue, is dominated by molecular biology, organic
chemistry had been removed from the chemistry course standards in 2003
• Nuclear physics was limited to protons (1919) and neutrons (1932), with no mention
of their quark (1964) components
• Modern investigative technologies and methodologies such as modeling and
simulation and “lab on a chip” were absent
•Nanoscale behaviors and nanotechnology were not mentioned
2010 SOL & Curriculum Framework Excerpts (Good News!)
• Fifth graders, physical science, chemistry, and physics students will be introduced
to nanotechnology;
• Physical science, chemistry, and physics students will now learn about quarks,
the currently accepted building blocks of protons and neutrons;
• Grades six through twelve will use modeling and simulation in their scientific
investigations;
• LED’s, diodes and transistors are in physical science;
• Plasmas as a fourth state of matter has joined solids, liquids, and gases in physical
science and chemistry.
• Chemistry meets 21st century (molecular) biology as students explicitly see RNA, DNA,
and amino acids in both courses.
• Pluto is introduced as a member of a new category of dwarf planets in 6th grade and
earth science.
But What About the “E” of
STEM?
Example of a Complex NASA
Planetary Lander System Project
*Science requirements for instruments defined by scientists*
Integration of multiple models as noted in a typical Mars
Entry, Descent, and Landing Simulation
Scientists
&
Engineers
Scientists provide;
Engineers use
Engineers
Engineers
Mars Global Surveyer/Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter
Some Selected Findings & Recommendations
from the 2007 Engineering Panel
There is no institutionalized “STEM” program in VA - we have MST
(pronounce “muztuh”)
-Engineering is classified as CTE (not Instruction) at VA DOE where, over the
past 15 years, there have been several initiatives (from CTE) to promote
some engineering in the state,
-However, engineering is not required for students in VA, nor is it generally
available to all students.
Engineering Design Process differs from Scientific Method, is the parent
of technological innovation, and should be required content in VA
Women and minorities continue to be under-represented in engineering
profession
There are myriad national and local programs for students to have
engineering experiences but, in Virginia, ONLY IF their local school or
school division takes the initiative
“Turnkey” S&E in K-12 STEM
• Curricula “E” Examples:
– Project Lead The Way
(HS)
– PLTW Gateways (MS)
– VA Children’s Engineering
(K-5)
• Annual Conf in February
– Engineering is Elementary
(K-5)
– Project Infinity (HS)
– Partnership for Advanced
Studies (PAS) (HS global)
– Governor’s academies
and schools
– VA MathScience
Innovation Center 2015
plan
• Extra-curricula “E”:
– FIRST
• Junior Lego League,
FIRST LEGO, FIRST
Tech, FIRST Robotics
– Sea Perch (ONR, MIT)
– SNAME (Society of Naval
Architects & Marine
Engineers) Boatbuilding (K12)
– Future Cities (National
Engineers Week)
– Egg Drop Contest
(ASME & others)
– F1 in Schools (Formula
One racing)
– Science & Engineering
Fairs
– NASA “VASTS”
– STIHL Summer Program
THEORY
HANDS-ON
Theoretical Physics
Discover languages
to quantitatively
describe existing world
Experimental Physics
Discover & describe
existing world
Fabricate & operate
new systems
Design & build
new systems
Build or repair existing
systems/components
Traditional
Algebraist
Geometer
Topologist
Statistician
4-yr College (+)
Physicist
Chemist
Biologist
Research MD
Astronomer
Geologist
4-yr College (+)
Traditional Academic
Jimbatterson@live.com – May 2007
Aerospace
Automotive
Chemical
Electronics
Computer
Civil
Model & Simulation
Research Surgeon
Wind Tunnel
Aircraft Maintenance
Airframe/Powerplant
Particle Detectors
Integrated Circuits
4-yr College (+)
2-yr college/OJT
Welding
HVAC
Electricity
Plumbing
Electronics
Manufacturing
(Surgeon 19th C.)
21st Century
A+ Comp Repair
Comp Network Admin
CISCO Network
ORACLE Internet
CAD
Model & Simulation
Current K-12 “Gap”
* Sometimes “Instrument Maker”
HS with National
Certifications
CTE
VA General Assembly Joint Resolution SJ 308 (2011)
In part……
WHERE AS, innovation is born directly of engineering rather than science and
mathematics; and
WHERE AS, the engineering design process diff ers from the scientifi c method; and
WHERE AS, engineering design leads to the manufacture or fabrication of a product that
meets design requirements and constraints; and
WHERE AS, engineering teachers require a significant background in the engineering
design process and the manufacture to specifi cations process as well as science,
mathematics, and technology education; and
WHERE AS, mastery in the engineering design process or manufacture to specifi cations
process is not required of science and mathematics teachers; and
WHERE AS, mastery in science and mathematics is not required of technology education
teachers;
….
Therefore Be It
….
RESO LVED by the [ Senate, the House of Delegates ] concurr ing, that the Department
of Educa tion be requested to establi sh shared goals for an engineering program of study,
and assign a shared responsibili ty for this program between the existing science,
mathematics, and technology discipli nes.
RESO LVED FURTHER, T hat K-12 engineering not be subsumed by just one
curr iculum domain, but only taught in conjunction with science, mathematics, and
technology education by teachers with appropriate training in the engineering design
process, the scientifi c method, science, and manufacture to specifi cations and constraints.
**Report from VDOE to General Assembly due in January**
Next Generation Science Standards
(National)
• National Research Council (NRC) “Framework”
published July 2011 (one year after public comment)
– Previous national standards documents dated (NSES - 1996; AAAS
Benchmarks -1993; Committee of Ten-1894)
– Lead committee of 18 university scientists, engineers, & educators plus
4 multi-faceted design teams
• Non-profit “Achieve, Inc” responsible for managing
development of “Standards”
– Will fit within NRC Framework as content guidance
– Delivered in late 2012
– National in scope but carried out by states
• Carried out by 20 lead state partners & additional writing team members
from 13 more states (writing team member from VA)
– Critical stakeholders review
• Business & industry, Workforce development, K12, Subject matter experts,
State stds & assessments, …
A Framework for K-12 Science Education
Committee on a Conceptual Framework for New K12 Science Education Standards
(National Research Council of the National Academies)
July 19, 2011
“The committee recommends that science education in
grades K-12 be built around three major dimensions.
These dimensions are:
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•
•
Scientific and engineering practices;
Crosscutting concepts that unify the study of science and
engineering through their common application across fields;
Core ideas in four disciplinary areas: physical sciences; life
sciences; earth and space sciences; and engineering,
technology, and the applications of science”*
*Executive Summary, page ES-1
Some Example NRC Grade 12 Guidelines &
“Boundaries”
“Knowledge of quantum physics enabled the development of semiconductors, computer chips, and lasers, all of which are essential
components of modern imaging, communication, and information
technology.
BOUNDARY: Details of quantum physics are not formally taught at
this grade level.”
“…the states (I.e. solid, liquid, gas, plasma)…..”
“Information can be digitized (e.g. a picture stored as the values of
an array of pixels); in this form, it can be stored reliably in computer
memory and sent over long distances as a series of wave pulses.”
“When a system has a large number of component pieces, one may not
be able to predict much about its precise future; For such systems (e.g.
with very many colliding molecules), one can often predict average,
but not detailed properties and behaviors…”
“…atoms have a charged substructure of a nucleus (made from protons
and neutrons) surrounded by electrons….
BOUNDARY: The following topics are not required: the structures
within protons and neutrons; the existence of quarks…”
VA is already putting in place from
2010 Science SOL revision…
National Research Council’s “A Framework for K-12 Science Education
(July 2011)
“Models, particularly modern computer simulations that encode
relevant physical laws and properties of materials, can be especially
helpful both in realizing and testing designs for structures such as
buildings, bridges, or aircraft, that are expensive to construct and that must
survive extreme conditions that occur only on rare occasions” (pg 3-8)
“By grade 12, students should be able to (pg 3-14):
•“Recognize that computer simulations are based on mathematical models
that incorporate underlying assumptions about the phenomena or
systems being studied.”
•“Use simple test-cases of mathematical expressions, computer
programs, or simulations - that is, compare their outcomes with what is
known about the real world - to see if they “make sense”.”
Summary and Some Final Thoughts
• VA Science SOL/CF much improved (implement 2012-13
school year)
– Teacher training needed in content
– Local tech industries embed STEM teachers in summer
• VA does not institutionalize Engineering
– Engineering not recognized as teacher “endorsement”
– Think about a “Science & Engineering” Dept
– Possible VSBA policy position?
• Next Gen Science Standards will emphasize science and
engineering - due out late 2012
• Many opportunities for engineering in both curriculum and
extra-curricula activities - BUT must be local initiative
– VA Children’s Engineering (K-5) is a must do!
– Make PLTW or equivalent available to ALL students
Backup Slide
Example 3:
Air Transportation Vehicle (Practical Airplane)
Carried out by:
Military needs for WW I
Curtis Jenny and other
Engineers & many other
professions & skills
Innovation – practical airplanes
Engineers, Technicians
Technology –
Wright Flyer (Prototype
Engineers, Technicians
Technology –
Internal combustion engine, Wind
tunnel, Wing warping
& Scientists
Scientists
& Engineers
Mathematicians
for a practical airplane)
Science – Newton’s Laws of Motion, Fluids, Chemistry
Mathematics – Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry