Math/Science Partnership (Special): Modeling for Understanding in Science and Engineering in the Middle Grades (MUSE-MS)

Although there are numerous programs and materials available for integrating engineering into elementary science content, there are very few designed for secondary schools (6-12) and none specific for the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). With the addition of Global Climate Change and several human health-related core ideas in the Framework for K-12 Science Education, middle school science programs will need assistance with developing units that address these concepts and integrate engineering core ideas as well. This proposal provides an opportunity to improve student learning in science and create exemplars of middle school multi-disciplinary units of study aligned to NGSS with integrated engineering core ideas focused on Global Climate and human health-related issues. MUSE-MS will target teams of 3 middle school science teachers from 7 schools. These teams will work with the partnership team from the University of Kentucky from November 2013 to September 2014 to develop, implement, and revise a multi-disciplinary unit of study aligned to the NGSS that integrate engineering to assist in learning the science. Participating in MUSE-MS is designed to move science teachers from test preparation to designing classroom experiences that genuinely prepare students to be college and career ready. The units of study that will be developed will serve as a model for developing other units that will include a rigorous but student-centered approach to learning with effective integration of mathematics and language arts. The units of study will utilize the eight scientific and engineering practices and seven cross-cutting concepts to facilitate student learning.