CUTTING EDGE SCIENCE MEETS THE SCIENCE FLOW CHART TO AID TEACHERS AND STUDENTS IN THE NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS PARADIGM SHIFT

The adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) by states has begun, prompting a rapid need for aligned curriculum, teacher training, and evaluation tools. Besides the emphasis on content depth over breadth, and cross-cutting concepts that span different grades and disciplines, the NGSS emphasize the importance of incorporating science and engineering practices as a way to learn and communicate science. In many ways, the NGSS present a paradigm shift, especially for teachers who have limited experience in how science works, or who have relied on the “scientific method” approach. Consortium for Ocean Leadership’s Deep Earth Academy, the education arm of the International Ocean Discovery Program (www.joidesresolution.org), is utilizing its exciting science and a range of effective tools and strategies to engage science novice to expert in the creative, dynamic, and non-linear practice of science to highlight the NGSS strands. We will share strategies for using data sets, current research, and the Science Flow Chart (http://undsci.berkeley.edu/) to help educators and students embrace the paradigm shift in an effective and meaningful way.