Science Under the Microscope

Developing scientific literacy is critical today and will become increasingly so. Not only does science personally affect our lives through the physical world, medicine, and technology, but it's also at the heart of some of the thorniest ethical issues we face as a society. From global warming to stem-cell research, nuclear capabilities, and the depletion of fossil fuels, the citizens of the 21st century will be called on to make decisions that require an understanding of the basic laws of the universe and the capacity to weigh evidence-based arguments.

Underscoring the importance of science education, the U.S. Department of Education is training a spotlight on the subject. Under the No Child Left Behind Act, states must develop science standards by 2005-2006. Beginning in the 2007-2008 school year, states are required to administer annual science assessments at least once in elementary, middle, and high school. These assessments must be aligned with state standards and involve multiple measures, including higher order thinking and understanding.

In interviews with some of the Northwest's outstanding scientists, we're reminded of the role that teachers play in nurturing groundbreaking biologists, geologists, physicists, and chemists. Someday—with any luck and good teaching—that young child who marvels over the way sand particles filter through a sieve may turn out to be the next Newton, Watson, or Curie.

Download this issue as a PDF (4.7M, 48pp.)

Features

A Meeting of Minds
A unique partnership in northwest Washington aims to shake up science instruction in both K-12 and university classrooms.

Q&A: Charting a new course with George "Pinky" Nelson at Western Washington University.

Measuring Up to Standards
With NCLB requirements looming, Northwest states refine science standards and assessments.

Putting Physics First
A national movement is pushing to make physics an introductory, rather than a capstone, course. An Idaho teacher helps us see why.

Igniting the Spark
Some of the region's top scientists reflect on their past educational experiences and offer advice for teachers today.

• Web exclusive: Igniting the Spark: Another Look

In the Middle
Montana leads the nation in eighth-grade science scores. Two award-winning middle school teachers share strategies for engaging this unique age group.

Science on Ice
A university geophysicist turns to Alaska schoolchildren to help him carry out key research in remote locations.

Building a Legacy: One Teacher at a Time
Field-based professional development helps K-8 teachers draw lessons from the landscape.

• Web exclusive: in the Lab, Discovering the "REaL" World

Through a Wilderness
Camping out in the forest, Oregon sixth-graders discover bear scat, "fungus aerobics," and why environmental literacy is important.

Lunchtime Science: Reaching Underachieving Girls
A university researcher and a high school biology teacher team up for a lunch-hour class for girls who are failing science.

departments

Forum

Editor's Note

Voices
From the Kitchen to the Classroom

Research Brief
Launching Science Education Into the 21st Century

Resources
Resource Annex

Region at a Glance
What the Statistics Say About Highly Qualified Northwest Science Teachers

End Note
An Eminent Native Son

Expert Opinion
Nationally known educator David Heil gets families engaged in science

Money Matters
Reaching out to public and private sources for science program funds

Q&A
The head of NWREL's Northwest Eisenhower Regional Consortium for Mathematics and Science talks about science instruction, NCLB, and resources in the region.

Masthead

Northwest Education is available online in both PDF and HTML versions. Look for Web exclusives, marked with .