Unit 5: Exploring the Nature of Astronomical Phenomena in the Context of the Sun
Unit 5: Exploring the Nature of Astronomical Phenomena in the Context of the Sun/Earth/Moon System
XII. Making Connections to Educational Policies
This section completes this unit. As an informed citizen in your community, you should become aware of the local standards for teaching science, particularly if you are a teacher, preparing to become a teacher, or a parent advocating for more science to be taught in elementary schools.
Question 5.57 What are the current standards for teaching science at various grade levels where you live?
- Contact your local department of education to find out about current standards for teaching science at various grade levels in your area. The Oregon Department of Education’s announcement, for example, is at http://www.oregon.gov/ode/educator-resources/standards/science/Pages/Science-Standards.aspx . This state has adopted the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS Lead States, 2013, https://www.nextgenscience.org.) These standards recommend disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts that students should learn and use at various grade levels.
Question 5.58 How would you use your community’s standards for teaching science to engage children in learning about astronomical phenomena within the Sun/Earth/Moon system?
A. Learning more about the US Next Generation Science Standards
- Briefly review the following:
- Disciplinary Core Ideas about Earth and Space Sciences, particularly pages 380-381 at https://www.nap.edu/read/18290/chapter/11,
- the eight recommended Scientific and Engineering Practices at https://www.nap.edu/read/18290/chapter/12 ,
- the seven Crosscutting Concepts recommended for emphasis at https://www.nap.edu/read/18290/chapter/13 .
- For each of the three dimensions being advocated, indicate at least one element that seems most of interest to you. Why?
- Discuss an example of ways in which you might engage children of the age you want to teach in learning about earth and space science by developing a disciplinary core idea, using at least one of the science and engineering practices and one of the crosscutting concepts that are of interest to you. Or discuss an example drawn from the aspects indicated in Table V.17 below.
| Table V.17 Dimensions of US Next Generation Science Standards relevant to exploration of Moon phases | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | Element | Grades K-2 | Grades 3-5 | Grades 6-8 |
| Disciplinary Core Idea | Earth Space Science ESSI-A | Patterns of movement of the sun, moon, and stars as seen from Earth can be observed, described, and predicted. | The Earth’s orbit and rotation, and the orbit of the moon around the Earth cause observable patterns | Solar system models explain and predict eclipses, lunar phases, and seasons |
| Science and Engineering Practice | Engaging in Argument from Evidence | Construct an argument with evidence to support a claim | Construct and/or support an argument with evidence, data, and/or a model.