Raising the Bar in Freshman Science Education: Student Lectures, Scientific Papers, and Independent Experiments

by: Eva-Maria S. Collins and Tessa R. Calhoun

This article presents the combination of three enhanced educational approaches for training future scientists. These methods incorporate skills generally not introduced in the freshman year: student-led blackboard introductions; the writing of scientific papers; and the design, execution, and presentation of an independent lab module.

Topics

Analyzing data Animals Asking questions Biochemistry CCC1: Patterns Cell Chemical reactions Classifying Collecting data Communicating Crosscutting Concepts Disciplinary Core Ideas Disciplinary Core Ideas in Engineering, Technology, and the Application of Science Disciplinary Core Ideas in Life Science Disciplinary Core Ideas in Physical Science Ecosystems Electricity ENCdl Energy ETS1: Engineering Design ETS2: Links Among Engineering, Technology, Science, and Society Evolution Experimenting Forces and motion Genetics Heat Hypothesizing Interpreting data Life Science Light LS1: From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics LS3: Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits LS4: Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity Measuring Modeling Nuclear reactions Observing Organ systems Physical Science Predicting Properties of materials PS1: Matter and Interactions PS2: Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions PS3: Energy PS4: Waves and Their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer Reproduction Science and Engineering Practices Science and Technology Science as Inquiry Science Focus Science process skills Scientific habits of mind SEP1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems SEP2: Developing and Using Models SEP3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations SEP4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data SEP5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking SEP6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions SEP7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence SEP8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information Sound States of matter Structure of matter Three Dimensions of the Framework and/or NGSS Using mathematics Using scientific equipment Using technology

Details

Type Journal ArticlePub Date 3/1/2014Stock # jcst14_043_04_26Volume 043Issue 04

NSTA Press produces classroom-ready activities, hands-on approaches to inquiry, relevant professional development, the latest scientific education news and research, assessment and standards-based instruction.

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