Educate, and be Educated

The National Science Education Standards (NSES) provide a vision of science literacy for all students in our nation's schools. Inquiry should play a central role in developing students' understandings (National Research Council, 2000). Education should provide individuals with different ways of viewing the world, communicating about it, and successfully coping with the questions and issues of daily living. The Indiana Board of Education states that the most effective science programs are based on the idea that students should engage in their own investigations. These types of learning experiences can be used in conjunction, as to reinforce, or to enrich the science concepts (McKenzie, 1999). Students that continue to inquire about the world around them engage in scientific discoveries and advanced concepts, which would benefit the development of the scientific community. Ultimately, the fundamental goal is to develop scientific reasoning skills and to be led to thinking beyond misconceptions.

As educators, we must ensure that these concepts are heard and adopted as a curriculum. Teachers should involve themselves in text adoption committees so their schools utilize textbooks that value STEM education. It should be a teacher’s priority to stay informed on state or research developments. Educators should make sure there is constant personal development and collaboration among colleagues. The use of internet resources like https://learningconnection.doe.in.gov which is Indiana’s Learning Connection for the education community can be a place to collaborate. Educators engaged and informed benefit the development of the scientific community.

References

Indiana Department of Education. (2010). Indiana’s Academic Standards & Resources.

Indianapolis, Indiana. Retrieved March 13, 2010 from http://www.indianastandarsresources.org

McKenzie, J. (1999). How Teachers Learn Technology Best (first ed.).

Bellingham: FNO Press.

National Research Council. (2000). Inquiry and the national science education

standards: A guide for teaching and learning. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.