Science K-12 Resources

Rebecca McLelland-Crawley
Supervisor of K-12 Science

E-mail for Mrs. McLelland-Crawley

609.716.5000, extension 5117


Mission Statement of the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District Science Department

Our mission is to develop science-literate citizens. Science literacy includes an understanding of how we know what we know, i.e. how science is done; being aware of some of the ways science, mathematics and technology depend on one another; understanding some of the key concepts and principles of science; having a capacity for scientific ways of thinking; knowing that science, mathematics and technology have their strengths and limitations. (adapted from Science for All Americans, AAAS, 1990)

 

A science-literate citizen possesses the skills and knowledge to understand modern scientific and technological problems, use scientific habits of mind to address current and future science issues, comprehend news stories, and make informed decisions as a responsible participant in a democracy. Four strands of science learning provide the framework for science literacy.

 

  1. Understand Scientific Explanations: Students understand core concepts and principles of science and use measurement and observation tools to assist in categorizing, representing, and interpreting the natural and designed world.
  2. Generate Scientific Evidence: Through active investigations, students master the conceptual, mathematical, physical, and computational tools that need to be applied when constructing and evaluating claims.
  3. Reflect on Scientific Knowledge: Scientific knowledge builds on itself over time.
  4. Participate Productively in Science: The growth of scientific knowledge involves critique and communication, which are social practices that are governed by a core set of values and norms. (adapted from Ready, Set, SCIENCE! National Research Council, National Academies Press, 2008)

 

WW-P science students will achieve science literacy by

  • Becoming information gatherers, critical thinkers, and classroom performers
  • Actively discussing, exploring, and investigating issues with one another
  • Developing acute awareness of and responsibility for their own learning process
  • Contributing to a community of learners and scientists
  • Learning science content throughout this process

 

WW-P science students will demonstrate science literacy through common performance-based assessments linked to core concepts and skills, in which they apply scientific habits of mind to investigate scientific issues, suggest potential solutions to authentic scientific problems, explain scientific phenomena, and communicate their ideas.

Website by SchoolMessenger Presence. © 2024 SchoolMessenger Corporation. All rights reserved.