2061 Connections
An electronic newsletter for the science education community

November/December 2008

Tracking Science Education Reform, at Home and Abroad

What should students learn in K–12 science? How can they be helped to learn it? How can educators monitor their progress and use this information to improve their programs? These big questions have always been at the center of Project 2061’s mission to promote science literacy. This fall, these questions and others were once again at the forefront as Project 2061 shared its perspective on learning goals, curriculum and instruction, and assessment with key groups involved in science education reform.

Here at home and in Shanghai, China, Project 2061’s leaders have been busy making sense of the current state of K–12 science standards, curriculum, and assessment in the United States. Project 2061 Director Jo Ellen Roseman addressed school board members and administrators at the 2008 National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) Annual Conference. Deputy Director George DeBoer joined colleagues at the National Science Foundation Discovery Research K–12 Principal Investigators Meeting and gave the keynote address at the Principled Assessment Designs for Inquiry (PADI) Science Assessment Forum.

George DeBoer and Diane Riendeau at the Shanghai Forum

George DeBoer and
Diane Riendeau at the
Shanghai Forum

DeBoer also returned to the annual Shanghai International Forum on Science Literacy of Precollege Students. This year, he was joined by Illinois physics teacher Diane Riendeau, the 2008 winner of AAAS’s Leadership in Science Education Prize for High School Teachers.

Below you will find presentation materials from all of these meetings. We hope you enjoy this glimpse into Project 2061’s fall activities. We welcome your comments and insights as we continue our efforts to influence science education reform and to make high-quality tools and resources available to the K–12 science community.

Stadium Horns and Standards in Shanghai

Riendeau demonstrates a stadium horn during her Shanghai presentation

Riendeau demonstrates a
stadium horn during her
Shanghai presentation

When Diane Riendeau developed her “Make It, Take It, Teach It” physics program, her goal was to increase her students’ understanding while bolstering parental involvement. The Illinois high school teacher never expected that her innovative teaching would take her all the way to Shanghai, China. As the 2008 winner of AAAS’s Leadership in Science Education Prize for High School Teachers, Riendeau received $1,000 and a trip to this year’s Shanghai International Forum on Science Literacy of Precollege Students. In October, Riendeau and Project 2061’s George DeBoer represented AAAS at the three-day event.

“I was amazed at the kind spirit of the Chinese teachers. They were so eager to learn and treated me with such respect,” said Ms. Riendeau.

Chinese educators discuss physics concepts at Riendeau's session

Chinese educators
discuss physics concepts
at Riendeau's session

In her presentation, Riendeau modeled the program that she uses in her classes. The program first has students make a simple item that demonstrates a physics concept. It might be a stadium horn (sound), a kaleidoscope (reflection), or a gel candle (refraction). Students then take the item home and teach the physics concept to their parents. Afterward, students and parents answer a short series of questions to evaluate what they have learned. True to her innovative teaching, Riendeau enlisted the Chinese teachers at her session in making stadium horns and other items and then discussing the physics behind them.  

But it was the informal interactions with Chinese educators that really impressed her. “The highlight of the trip for me was getting to talk with some of the teachers outside of the sessions,” said Riendeau. “They wanted to know so much about my teaching styles and ways to improve their instruction.”

Interest in U.S. teaching and reform efforts was also high at George DeBoer’s session. He gave one of three Theme Reports on the opening day of the Forum, along with Wei Yu, Vice President of the China Association for Science and Technology, and Yin Houqing, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission.

DeBoer’s talk traced the history and current state of science education reform in the U.S. He discussed Project 2061’s role in those reform efforts, including its content standards document, Benchmarks for Science Literacy. He also provided an overview of current federal legislation and proposals to hold schools accountable and offered some forward-looking thoughts on how we can improve science education.

    “The History and Current State of Science Education Reform in the United States”
    George E. DeBoer, AAAS Project 2061
    Read the presentation [PDF, 615KB].

    “Make It, Take It, Teach It”
    Diane Riendeau, Deerfield High School, Illinois
    Read the presentation [PDF, 343KB].

Sharing Expertise at Home
Back in Washington, D.C., Project 2061 addressed school board members, education researchers, and assessment experts. Dr. Roseman’s talk at the NASBE Annual Conference grew out of her involvement in AAAS’s collaboration with the National School Boards Association (NSBA). The partnership, which is supported by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, is helping school boards develop policies and public support for a state-of-the-art science curriculum and has created a Web site with a wealth of resources for school board members (learn more at http://www.smartschoolboards.org).

Dr. DeBoer’s NSF presentation focused on the expectations of K-12 science standards and how well they are coordinated with university-level studies in science. His PADI address looked more closely at the current practices in standards-based science assessment and what is needed for the results of state testing to be used to improve teaching and learning.

    “Reforming Science Education: Perspectives from AAAS Project 2061”
    Jo Ellen Roseman, AAAS Project 2061
    Panel Presentation at the 2008 National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) Annual Conference
    October 18, 2008, Washington, DC
    Read the presentation [PDF, 2,818KB].

    “Along the Continuum: A Discussion of Standards and Expectations”
    Susan Jansen Varnum, Temple University
    George E. DeBoer, AAAS Project 2061
    National Science Foundation, Discovery Research K–12 (DRK-12) PI Meeting
    November 13, 2008, Washington, DC
    Read the presentation [PDF, 212KB].

    “Some Comments on the Current State of Science Assessment in the U.S.”
    George E. DeBoer, AAAS Project 2061
    Keynote Address at the Principled Assessment Designs for Inquiry (PADI) Science Assessment Forum
    November 14, 2008, Washington, DC
    Read the presentation [PDF, 59KB].

# # #

For more information about Project 2061’s research and resources, please contact:

Director: Dr. Jo Ellen Roseman, (202) 326-6752

Deputy Director: Dr. George DeBoer, (202) 326-6624



[Subscribe] [Archive]