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Brian's Class Materials- Spring 2014 - SEYS 562

SEYS 562 Home

Queens College/CUNY
Education Unit
Spring 2014

Science Content Recommendations from NCATE and NSTA

Elementary - generalist Elementary - middle All Secondary Secondary - Biology Secondary - Chemistry Secondary - Earth, Space Secondary - Physics

B. Recommendations for Elementary and Middle Level General Science Teachers

B.1. Elementary and middle level general science specialists should be prepared with a strong emphasis on collaborative inquiry in the laboratory and field. They should have a deeper understanding of the field than generalists, but should have the same thematic and interdisciplinary perspective on science. To achieve this, science specialists at this level should have all of the competencies described for the elementary generalist , but also should be prepared in biology to lead students to understand:

  1. Factors governing the structures, functions, and behaviors of living systems.
  2. Multiple systems of classification of organisms.
  3. Cycles of matter, and flow of energy, through living and nonliving pathways.
  4. Natural selection, adaptation, diversity, and speciation.
  5. Structure, function, and reproduction of cells, including microorganisms.
  6. Levels of organization from cells to biomes.
  7. Reproduction and heredity, including human reproduction and contraception.
  8. Behavior of living systems and the role of feedback in their regulation.
  9. Hazards related to living things including allergies, poisons, disease, and aggression.

B.2. In relation to the physical sciences, science specialists at this level should have all of the competencies described for the elementary generalist , but also should be prepared in chemistry and physics to lead students to understand:

  1. Properties and applications of sound, light, magnetism, and electricity.
  2. Potential and kinetic energies and concepts of work.
  3. Energy flow in physical and chemical systems, including simple machines
  4. States of matter and bonding in relation to molecular behavior and energy.
  5. Conservation of matter and energy.
  6. Classifications of elements and compounds.
  7. Solvents (especially water) and solutions.
  8. Chemical nature of the earth and its living organisms.
  9. Nature of radioactive substances.
  10. Chemical, electrical and radiation hazards.

B.3. In the Earth and space sciences, science specialists at this level should have all of the competencies described for the elementary generalist , but also should prepared in the Earth and space sciences to lead students to understand:

  1. Structures of objects and systems in space.
  2. Earth's structure, evolution, history, and place in the solar system.
  3. Characteristics and importance of oceans, lakes , rivers, and the water cycle.
  4. Characteristics of the atmosphere including weather and climate.
  5. Changes in the Earth caused by chemical, physical, and biological forces.
  6. Causes and occurrences of hazards such as tornados, hurricanes, and earthquakes.
  7. Characteristics and importance of cycles of matter such as oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen.
  8. Characteristics of renewable and nonrenewable natural resources and implications for their use.
  9. Interactions among populations, resources, and environments.

B.4. To create interdisciplinary perspectives and to help students understand why science is important to them, elementary/middle level science specialists should have all of the competencies described for the elementary generalist , but also should be prepared to lead students to understand:

  1. Interrelationships of pure and applied sciences, and technology.
  2. Applications of science to local and regional problems and the relationship of science to one's personal health, well-being, and safety.
  3. Historical development and perspectives on science including contributions of underrepresented groups and the evolution of major ideas and theories.
  4. Applications of science to the investigation of individual and community problems.
  5. Use of technological tools in science, including calculators and computers.
  6. Applications of basic statistics and statistical interpretation to the analysis of data.