Science Education Resources

Adam Johnston

(I always need to update this, but it's always low on my list. Suggestions are always welcome -- just drop me a line. See also some course readings and research for my teaching classes.)

 

General information and resources

Center for Science and Math Education
Utah State Office of Education Science Home Page (including science core curricula)
Science endorsement info
Job posting info
Utah Core Curricula (UEN)
NCLB Science
The Exploratorium's tools for teaching

 

Organizations, commissions, and projects

NSTA and Weber State's NSTA Student Chapter
Utah Science Teachers Association (USTA)
National Association of Research in Science Teaching
National Commission on Teaching and America's Future
Renaissance Partnership for Improving Teacher Quality

 

Background references:

NARST Research Matters for Science Teachers
NSTA position statements
bullet . . . on inquiry learning
NSTA background papers

 

Instructional strategies:

Ideas for Layered Curriculum at help4teachers.com
The Exploratorium's Institute for Inquiry resources, including great definitions/descriptions of inquiry
The Learning Cycle (originally attributed to Karlpus, then Lawson, etc.):
bullet http://www.educ.sfu.ca/narstsite/publications/research/cycle.htm
bullet http://www.human.cornell.edu/txa/extension/intouch/modules/Learning-Cycle.html
bullet http://edstar.ncrel.org/mn/ViewEssay.asp?IssueID=36&EssayID=142
The 5E instructional model (an extension of the original "Learning Cycle," so it is often referred to as such):
bullet http://linus.chem.ukans.edu/Hewlett/fivee.html
bullet http://mvhs.mbhs.edu/mvhsproj/learningcycle/lcmodel.html
bullet http://www.coe.ilstu.edu/scienceed/lorsbach/257lrcy.htm
bullet http://genesismission.jpl.nasa.gov/educate/kitchen/foodthought/staver.html

 

Alternative conceptions and learning:

Misconceptions regarding the Utah State Core:
bullet Seventh Grade Integrated Science 
bullet Earth Systems Science
bullet  Biology
bullet  Physics

 

Lesson plans and ideas:

Educator's Reference Desk database of science lesson plans
Teacher Focus

 

Teaching philosophy:

Professional Reflection on Teaching
Teaching Perspectives Inventory (TPI) Website
Teaching Goals Inventory

 

Assessment:

Field-tested Learning Assessment Guide (FLAG)

 

Extras:

Free stuff for science teaching
Evolution disclaimer stickers
Taking the fun and excitement out of science (from The Onion)