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Paper: Designing and Teaching to the Standards, and Beyond!
Volume: 389, EPO and a Changing World: Creating Linkages and Expanding Partnerships
Page: 317
Authors: Schultz, G.; Gould, A.; Erickson, J.; Chen, J.K.; Wierman, T.
Abstract: This professional development (PD) session brought together participants interested in space science curriculum and teacher PD, and fostered learning and discussion around EPO strategies for designing resources targeted at science standards and, when appropriate, teaching beyond such standards. We used the case example of the new GEMS Space Science Sequences (GEMSSSS) for grades 3-5 and 6-8, and emphasized how others can adopt and adapt strategies for implementation with their own products and programs. The session presenters represent diverse backgrounds in astronomy research, curriculum development, teacher PD, NASA EPO, science writing, and planetarium/science center programs. We outlined the design process employed in the development of the GEMS-SSS, beginning with analysis of space science concepts and scientific inquiry strategies appearing in the national standards/benchmarks and dozens of state standards documents. Then a panel of ten NASA science/education advisors convened to make further recommendations for the GEMS-SSS. This panel strongly urged the inclusion in the 6-8 sequence of content related to objects and structure outside of our solar system, even though this content is rarely found earlier than high school in most standards documents. From the advisory panel’s recommendation, and a desire to feature more current scientific discovery, a “Beyond the Solar System” unit was developed and field-tested in middle school classrooms. These results were shared with workshop participants. Our session included interactive activities illustrating teaching both to the standards and beyond them, and featured group discussion of the power of this approach in different contexts – ours and participants’.
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