VA 2010 Science SOL Revisions & Next Generation Science Standards: Status

A Short Summary for Policy-Makers

Jim BattersonVSBA Annual Conference

Williamsburg, VA

November 17, 2011Thom PinelliThomas.e.pinelli@nasa.gov

Jim BattersonJimbatterson@live.com

Outline

• Define our terms!

• Good K-12 STEM Standards - Process

• VA K-12 Science

• VA K-12 Engineering

• Next Generation Science Stds (National)

STEM Components & Innovation Defined

• Science – the study of the physical world and its manifestations, especially through systematic observation and experiments.

• Technology – the application of scientific and engineering knowledge to achieve a practical result.

• Engineering – the creation or development of new devices and objects that are of importance or value to humans and society.

• Mathematics – a branch of pure science or philosophy (logic) that in its applied state can be used to help make quantitative analysis and predictions for science, technology, and engineering.

Innovation – Creation of new value

The Saturday May 29 NY Times had two articles correctly emphasizing the difference in focus of engineers versus scientists (though both rely heavily on one another's work in the end)

pg A10: "Little Headway on Leak is Made by Engineers" pg A11: "Scientists Build a Case for Undersea Plumes"

Scientists are focused on discovery and understanding;Engineers are focused on solving a societal problem

The 2010 Gulf Oil Spill:Scientists’ & Engineers’ Roles

Example 1: Humans to the Moon and Safely Home

Mathematics –

Science – Newton’s Laws of Motion/Gravitation, Chemistry

Technology –

Innovation –

Mathematicians

Scientists& Engineers

Engineers, Technicians& Scientists

Engineers & many other professions & skills

Need for National Response to Sputnik/Cold War/Missile GapCarried out by:

Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus

Humans to the Moonand Safely Return

Rockets, Protective Clothing, Computers

Three Skill-sets Must Play Together for Good STEM Standards

Subject MatterExperts

PedagogyExperts

Stds WritingExperts

What is Taught How It’s Taught* How It is “Catalogued”

PracticingScientists &Engineers

K-12 Teachers &Schools of Ed

State Departments of Education

Good STEMStandards

* Including appropriate age/grade level

University

Gov’t labs

Industry

Bringing a Broad Practitioners’ Perspective to VA K-12 STEM

Standards

• Virginia Secretary of Education and NASA co-sponsor panels of scientists and engineers to carry out independent standards review in 2007– Capstone science courses of chemistry & physics– K-12 program in engineering

• Science panels’ findings will inform State Board of Education 2010 septennial science SOL (standards) Review

Distribution of Panelists in 2007 VA SOL Gap Analysis

• University– UVA– VA Tech– W&M– HU– CNU– JMU– VCU/J. Sargent Reynolds CC– University of Southern California– ODU

• Industry– Northrop-Grumman– Micron Technology– LUNA Innovations– National Institute of Aerospace– Lockheed Martin

• Research Labs– Jefferson Lab (DOE)– NSWC – Dahlgren (DOD)– NSWC – Indian Head (DOD)– NASA – Langley (Exec Agency)– NASA – Johnson (Exec Agency)– Naval Research Lab (DOD)

• K-12– Chantilly Academy Fairfax– Jamestown High School– Appomattox Gov School– Newport News Public Schools– Piedmont Governor’s School

*This is unique in that K-12 SOL committees are often populated almost entirely by K-12 people

+Panel membership did not cover “A to Z” but did cover “A to W” (Astronaut to Weed Scientist!)

Charge to Scientist Panels

• Charge to Panels: What (physics/chemistry) content do the 80% - 90% of Virginia’s high school students* who rely on SOL (state standards) need to know to participate in political, economic, social, and technological world of the 21st century?– Preparing to be a competent citizen: Not about advanced science

*In 2006-07, 14.6% of VA high school students took AP,1% were in governor’s schools, 0.3% in IB

Findings & Recommendations

• Finding: VA Science SOL are very well written & articulated BUT reflect a century old approach to science with content dated to the 1960’s (Sputnik era)

• Recommendations (Science)– Move from a discipline-centric curriculum in high school to

“Science & Engineering 1,2,3,4”, or– Adopt Leon Lederman’s “ARISE” program which teaches

physics first, followed by chemistry, and then biology, or– At a minimum, replace some outdated content in the current

courses with 21st century content

• Cathode ray tubes (TV picture tubes) were taught but not transistors, LED, LCD, or plasmas• In a world that, one might argue, is dominated by molecular biology, organic chemistry had been removed from the chemistry course standards in 2003• Nuclear physics was limited to protons (1919) and neutrons (1932), with no mention of their quark (1964) components• Modern investigative technologies and methodologies such as modeling and simulation and “lab on a chip” were absent•Nanoscale behaviors and nanotechnology were not mentioned

• Fifth graders, physical science, chemistry, and physics students will be introduced to nanotechnology;• Physical science, chemistry, and physics students will now learn about quarks, the currently accepted building blocks of protons and neutrons; • Grades six through twelve will use modeling and simulation in their scientific investigations; • LED’s, diodes and transistors are in physical science; • Plasmas as a fourth state of matter has joined solids, liquids, and gases in physical science and chemistry. • Chemistry meets 21st century (molecular) biology as students explicitly see RNA, DNA, and amino acids in both courses. • Pluto is introduced as a member of a new category of dwarf planets in 6th grade and earth science.

SOL as Found in 2007 (2003 revision)

2010 SOL & Curriculum Framework Excerpts (Good News!)

But What About the “E” of STEM?

Example of a Complex NASA Planetary Lander System Project

Integration of multiple models as noted in a typical Mars Entry, Descent, and Landing Simulation

Mars Global Surveyer/Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter

Scientists provide;Engineers use

Scientists&

Engineers

*Science requirements for instruments defined by scientists*

Engineers

Engineers

Some Selected Findings & Recommendationsfrom the 2007 Engineering Panel

There is no institutionalized “STEM” program in VA - we have MST (pronounce “muztuh”)

-Engineering is classified as CTE (not Instruction) at VA DOE where, over the past 15 years, there have been several initiatives (from CTE) to promote some engineering in the state,-However, engineering is not required for students in VA, nor is it generally available to all students.

Engineering Design Process differs from Scientific Method, is the parent of technological innovation, and should be required content in VA

Women and minorities continue to be under-represented in engineering profession

There are myriad national and local programs for students to have engineering experiences but, in Virginia, ONLY IF their local school or school division takes the initiative

“Turnkey” S&E in K-12 STEM• Curricula “E” Examples:

– Project Lead The Way (HS)

– PLTW Gateways (MS)– VA Children’s Engineering

(K-5)• Annual Conf in February

– Engineering is Elementary (K-5)

– Project Infinity (HS)– Partnership for Advanced

Studies (PAS) (HS global)– Governor’s academies

and schools– VA MathScience

Innovation Center 2015 plan

• Extra-curricula “E”:– FIRST

• Junior Lego League, FIRST LEGO, FIRST Tech, FIRST Robotics

– Sea Perch (ONR, MIT)– SNAME (Society of Naval

Architects & Marine Engineers) Boatbuilding (K-12)

– Future Cities (National Engineers Week)

– Egg Drop Contest (ASME & others)

– F1 in Schools (Formula One racing)

– Science & Engineering Fairs

– NASA “VASTS”– STIHL Summer Program

WeldingHVAC

ElectricityPlumbing

ElectronicsManufacturing

(Surgeon 19th C.)

A+ Comp RepairComp Network Admin

CISCO NetworkORACLE Internet

CADModel & Simulation

* Sometimes “Instrument Maker”

S K I L L C O M P O N E N T STHEORYHANDS-ON

Wind TunnelAircraft MaintenanceAirframe/Powerplant

Particle DetectorsIntegrated Circuits

PhysicistChemistBiologist

Research MDAstronomerGeologist

AlgebraistGeometerTopologistStatistician

AerospaceAutomotiveChemical

ElectronicsComputer

CivilModel & SimulationResearch Surgeon

Jimbatterson@live.com – May 2007

Theoretical Physics Experimental Physics

4-yr College (+)4-yr College (+) 2-yr college/OJT4-yr College (+)

Discover & describeexisting world

Discover languagesto quantitatively

describe existing world

Design & buildnew systems

Fabricate & operatenew systems

Build or repair existing systems/components

HS with National Certifications

Traditional

21st Century

Traditional Academic CTECurrent K-12 “Gap”

RESOLVED by the [ Senate, the House of Delegates ] concurring, that the Department of Education be requested to establish shared goals for an engineering program of study, and assign a shared responsibility for this program between the existing science, mathematics, and technology disciplines. RESOLVED FURTHER, That K-12 engineering not be subsumed by just one curriculum domain, but only taught in conjunction with science, mathematics, and technology education by teachers with appropriate training in the engineering design process, the scientific method, science, and manufacture to specifications and constraints.

WHEREAS, innovation is born directly of engineering rather than science and mathematics; and WHEREAS, the engineering design process differs from the scientific method; and WHEREAS, engineering design leads to the manufacture or fabrication of a product that meets design requirements and constraints; and WHEREAS, engineering teachers require a significant background in the engineering design process and the manufacture to specifications process as well as science, mathematics, and technology education; and WHEREAS, mastery in the engineering design process or manufacture to specifications process is not required of science and mathematics teachers; and WHEREAS, mastery in science and mathematics is not required of technology education teachers;

VA General Assembly Joint Resolution SJ 308 (2011)

In part……

….Therefore Be It….

**Report from VDOE to General Assembly due in January**

Next Generation Science Standards(National)

• National Research Council (NRC) “Framework” published July 2011 (one year after public comment)– Previous national standards documents dated (NSES - 1996; AAAS Benchmarks -1993; Committee of

Ten-1894)– Lead committee of 18 university scientists, engineers, & educators plus 4 multi-faceted design teams

• Non-profit “Achieve, Inc” responsible for managing development of “Standards”– Will fit within NRC Framework as content guidance– Delivered in late 2012– National in scope but carried out by states

• Carried out by 20 lead state partners & additional writing team members from 13 more states (writing team member from VA)

– Critical stakeholders review• Business & industry, Workforce development, K12, Subject matter experts, State stds & assessments, …

A Framework for K-12 Science EducationCommittee on a Conceptual Framework for New K-

12 Science Education Standards(National Research Council of the National Academies)

July 19, 2011

“The committee recommends that science education in grades K-12 be built around three major dimensions. These dimensions are:

• Scientific and engineering practices;• Crosscutting concepts that unify the study of science and engineering through their common application across fields;• Core ideas in four disciplinary areas: physical sciences; life sciences; earth and space sciences; and engineering,

technology, and the applications of science”*

*Executive Summary, page ES-1

Some Example NRC Grade 12 Guidelines & “Boundaries”

“Knowledge of quantum physics enabled the development of semi-conductors, computer chips, and lasers, all of which are essentialcomponents of modern imaging, communication, and informationtechnology.BOUNDARY: Details of quantum physics are not formally taught atthis grade level.”

“…the states (I.e. solid, liquid, gas, plasma)…..”

“Information can be digitized (e.g. a picture stored as the values of an array of pixels); in this form, it can be stored reliably in computermemory and sent over long distances as a series of wave pulses.”

“When a system has a large number of component pieces, one may notbe able to predict much about its precise future; For such systems (e.g. with very many colliding molecules), one can often predict average,but not detailed properties and behaviors…”

“…atoms have a charged substructure of a nucleus (made from protonsand neutrons) surrounded by electrons….BOUNDARY: The following topics are not required: the structureswithin protons and neutrons; the existence of quarks…”

VA is already putting in place from 2010 Science SOL revision…

National Research Council’s “A Framework for K-12 Science Education (July 2011)

“Models, particularly modern computer simulations that encode relevant physical laws and properties of materials, can be especially helpful both in realizing and testing designs for structures such as buildings, bridges, or aircraft, that are expensive to construct and that must survive extreme conditions that occur only on rare occasions” (pg 3-8)

“By grade 12, students should be able to (pg 3-14):•“Recognize that computer simulations are based on mathematical models that incorporate underlying assumptions about the phenomena or systems being studied.”

•“Use simple test-cases of mathematical expressions, computer programs, or simulations - that is, compare their outcomes with what is known about the real world - to see if they “make sense”.”

Summary and Some Final Thoughts

• VA Science SOL/CF much improved (implement 2012-13 school year)– Teacher training needed in content– Local tech industries embed STEM teachers in summer

• VA does not institutionalize Engineering– Engineering not recognized as teacher “endorsement”– Think about a “Science & Engineering” Dept– Possible VSBA policy position?

• Next Gen Science Standards will emphasize science and engineering - due out late 2012

• Many opportunities for engineering in both curriculum and extra-curricula activities - BUT must be local initiative– VA Children’s Engineering (K-5) is a must do!– Make PLTW or equivalent available to ALL students

Backup Slide

Example 3: Air Transportation Vehicle (Practical Airplane)

Mathematics – Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry

Science – Newton’s Laws of Motion, Fluids, Chemistry

Technology –

Innovation –

Mathematicians

Scientists& Engineers

Engineers, Technicians& Scientists

Engineers & many other professions & skills

Carried out by: Military needs for WW I

Technology –Engineers, Technicians

Internal combustion engine, Wind tunnel, Wing warping

Curtis Jenny and other practical airplanes

Wright Flyer (Prototype for a practical airplane)