How is the Course Content Aligned with the National Science Education Standards?
The primary emphasis is on NSES A & B as the students learn science content and turn around and teach it. The inquiry they engage in is “guided inquiry” more than “open-ended inquiry”. In most cases the motivating question is at least partially defined by the teacher. Standard A: Teachers of science plan an inquiry-based program for their students. Standard B: Teachers of science guide and facilitate learning. The class also works quite closely with each other on both small group and whole-class projects, so they get practice in developing communities of learners – NSES E. Standard E: Teachers of science develop communities of learners that reflect the intellectual rigors of scientific inquiry and the attitudes and social values conducive to science learning.
