Why I like the new Science Course of Study

I like the new Science Course of Study for many reasons, but here are the two most important. First, the new course of study changes the classroom culture from a teacher-centered environment to a student-centered environment. Students will be asking the questions, defining the problems, planning and carrying out the investigations, constructing the explanations, and communicating the information – not the teachers. This is a significant shift for many teachers because it requires students to be active participants rather than passive listeners. With the new standards, students will be able to experience science and not solely learn about it from a textbook, lecture, or worksheet. Additionally, students will learn content with a deeper understanding. For example, a teacher can tell students everything they need to know about gas laws in a class period. However, with the new course of study, students can plan and carry out an investigation with balloons to identify the relationships that exist among the pressure, volume, density, and temperature of a confined gas. The lesson may take longer, but students gain a more thorough understanding of the concept. Our students in Alabama deserve this opportunity to engage, explore, and experience science in every classroom. If you haven't looked at the new course of study, take a look…it's awesome!!! Science Course of Study draft Jennifer Brown