Modeling for Understanding in Science and Engineering - Year 3

ABSTRACT: Modeling for Understanding in Science and Engineering (MUSE) Year 3 Proposal Although there are numerous programs and materials available for integrating engineering into elementary and middle school science content, there are very few designed for high school and none specific for the Kentucky Core Academic Standards in Science which are modeled after the Next Generation Science Standards. With the addition of Global Climate Change and several human health-related core ideas in the Framework for K-12 Science Education, used to develop the standards, partnering high school science programs have identified the need for assistance with developing units that address these concepts and integrate engineering core ideas as well. MUSE works with teams of up to 4 high school science teachers from different disciplines (biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, physical science, or anatomy and physiology) from 9 schools. In Year 1-2 the participants worked with the partnership team from the University of Kentucky to develop and implement one multi-disciplinary unit of study focused on climate change and health-related issues, aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards that integrate engineering to assist in learning the science. In Year 3 the participants will continue to pilot and revise their first unit and will develop a second multi-disciplinary unit. The training focus for Year 3 will be on effective integration of content literacy standards, assessment, and further developing the engineering component. The units will utilize the eight scientific and engineering practices and seven cross-cutting concepts to facilitate learning and the publishable ones will be made available to other Kentucky educators through CIITS.