Understanding Science
Developed at WestEd, Understanding Science is a nationally field-tested professional development program that helps teachers:
- Learn major concepts of K-8 science
- Examine how children make sense of those concepts
- Analyze and improve their science teaching
Understanding Science professional development modules help teachers actively learn science in combination with student thinking and teaching. Each module focuses on cases of actual classroom practice that illustrate students’ science ideas and highlight an important teaching dilemma, one that any teacher might face. Teachers engage in hands-on science activities that parallel those of students in the cases, examine student work, and critically analyze classic instructional activities and decisions.
Support for Understanding Science has been provided by the National Science Foundation, Stuart Foundation, Institute for Education Sciences, and the Stone Foundation.
In Summer 2009, Understanding Science will offer the following:
Courses for Teachers
- Force and Motion (grade 8)
Dates vary by location - Weather and Climate (grades 6-8)
August 10-14
Academies for Staff Developers
- Force and Motion (grades 6-8)
July 6-10 - Energy (grades 6-8)
July 13-17