The Keli Mutu crater (Flores, Indonesia)
 

Improving Science for Students

The 21st Century Center for Research and Development in Cognition and Science Instruction is a five-year national grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences to further the goal of fostering science literacy in young people so they are able to compete in a 21st Century global economy. The Center's work focuses on applying the lens of cognitive science to existing middle school science curricula in an effort to improve student learning of science.

The Center's team of cognitive scientists is applying theoretical principles to systematically modify two popular middle school science programs and to prepare related teacher professional development materials. These methods for improving student learning will be evaluated through rigorously designed scientific studies.

Forms for principals and teachers

 

Welcome

 

Illustration of a human bodyWelcome to The 21st Century Center for Research and Development in Cognition and Science Instruction. The Center’s website will provide middle grade science educators with:

        •    Information about how to participate in the
             Center activities,
        •    Research findings about effective
             instruction, and   
        •    News about professional development
             events and innovative classroom practices.
 

 

News

 
11/4/2011

November 2011: Science Stories

Stories in science are plentiful, don’t be fooled by stereotype. Maybe it’s the pill bugs your class is observing or the webcam video that allows your students to watch birds feeding their young! In the November issue of Science and Children, we explored how to teach science as a story, using inquiry investigations and dynamic questions and processes.

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