NSTA Program Standards for Science Education

Standard 1 Content

The program prepares candidates to structure and interpret the concepts, ideas and relationships in science that are needed to advance student learning in the area of licensure as defined by state and national standards developed by the science education community. Content refers to concepts and principles understood through science; concepts and relationships unifying science domains; processes of investigation in a science discipline; and applications of mathematics in science research.

1.a.     Know and understand the major concepts and principles of the teaching discipline as defined by state and national standards of the science education community.

1.b.     Know and understand major concepts and principles unifying science disciplines. (See National Science Education Standard=s Unifying Concepts).

1.c.     Design, conduct and report investigations within a science discipline.

1.d.     Apply mathematics in problem-solving and scientific investigation.

Standard 2 Nature of Science

The program prepares teachers to engage students in activities to define the values, beliefs and assumptions inherent to the creation of scientific knowledge within the scientific community, and contrast science to other ways of knowing. Nature of science refers to characteristics distinguishing science from other ways of knowing; characteristics distinguishing basic science, applied science, and technology; processes and conventions of science as a professional activity; and standards defining acceptable evidence and scientific explanation.

2.a.    Know and understand the philosophical nature of science and the conventions of scientific explanation.

2.b.    Engage K-12 students effectively in studies of the nature of science and conventions of scientific explanation.

Standard 3 Inquiry

The program prepares candidates to engage students regularly and effectively in science inquiry and facilitate understanding of the role inquiry plays in the development of scientific knowledge. Inquiry refers to questioning and formulating solvable problems; reflecting on, and constructing, knowledge from data; collaborating and exchanging information while seeking solutions; and developing concepts and relationships from empirical experience.

3.a.    Know and understand scientific inquiry and its relationship to the development of scientific knowledge.

3.b.    Engage K-12 students effectively in scientific inquiry appropriate for their grade level and abilities.

Standard 4 Context of Science

The program prepares candidates to relate science to the daily lives and interests of students and to a larger framework of human endeavor and understanding. The context of science refers to relationships among systems of human endeavor including science and technology; relationships among scientific, technological, personal, social and cultural values; and the relevance and importance of science to the personal lives of students.

4.a.    Know and understand the relationship of science to other human values and endeavors.

4.b.    Engage K-12 students effectively in the study of the relationship of science to other human values and endeavors.

4.c.    Relate science to the personal lives, needs and interests of K-12 students.

Standard 5 Skills of Teaching

The program prepares candidates to create a community of diverse student learners who can construct meaning from science experiences and possess a disposition for further inquiry and learning. Skills of Teaching refers to science teaching actions, strategies and methodologies; interactions with students that promote learning and achievement; effective organization of classroom experiences; use of advanced technology to extend and enhance learning; and the use of prior conceptions and student interests to promote new learning.

5.a.    Use diverse and effective actions, strategies and methodologies to teach science.

5.b.    Interact effectively with K-12 students to promote learning and demonstrate student achievement.

5.c.    Organize and manage science activities effectively in different student groupings.

5.d.    Use advanced technology to teach K-12 students science.

5.e.    Use prior conceptions and K-12 student interests to promote learning.

Standard 6 Curriculum

The program prepares candidates to develop and apply a coherent, focused science curriculum that is consistent with state and national standards for science education and appropriate for addressing the needs, abilities and interests of students. Science curriculum refers to an extended framework of goals, plans, materials, and resources for instruction and the instructional context, both in and out of school, within which pedagogy is embedded  

6.a.    Develop coherent, meaningful goals, plans, and materials and find resources.

6.b.    Relate plans and resources to professionally- developed state and national standards, including the National Science Education Standards.

6.c.    Plan and develop science curriculum addressing the needs, interests and abilities of all preK-12 students.

Standard 7 Social Context

The program prepares candidates to relate science to the community and to use human and institutional resources in the community to advance the education of their students in science. The social context of science teaching refers to the social and community support network within which science teaching and learning occur; relationship of science teaching and learning to the needs and values of the community; and involvement of people and institutions from the community in the teaching of science.

7.a.    Know and understand the values and needs of the community and their effect on the teaching and learning of science.

7.b.    Use community human and institutional resources to advance the learning of science in the classroom and field.

Standard 8 Assessment

The program prepares candidates to use a variety of contemporary assessment strategies to evaluate the intellectual, social, and personal development of the learner in all aspects of science. Assessment refers to the alignment of goals, instruction and outcomes; measurement and evaluation of student learning in a variety of dimensions and the use of outcome data to guide and change instruction.

8.a.    Align science goals, instruction and outcomes.

8.b.    Know and use a variety of contemporary science assessment strategies to determine preK-12 student needs and levels of learning and development.

8.c.    Use assessment appropriately to determine, guide and change science instruction.

Standard 9 Environment for Learning

The program prepares candidates to design and manage safe and supportive learning environments reflecting high expectations for the success of all students. Learning environments refers to the physical spaces within which learning of science occurs; psychological and social environment of the student engaged in learning science; treatment and ethical use of living organisms; and safety in all areas related to science instruction.

9.a.    Create and maintain a psychologically and socially safe and supportive learning environment.

9.b.    Manage the activities and materials of science safely in storage areas, labs and field.

9.c.    Keep and use living organisms as in the classroom in a safe, ethical and appropriate manner.

Standard 10 Professional Practice

The program prepares candidates to participate in the professional community, improving practice through their personal actions, education and development. Professional practice refers to knowledge of, and participation in, the activities of the professional community; ethical behavior consistent with the best interests of students and the community;

reflection on professional practices and continuous efforts to ensure the highest quality of science instruction; and willingness to work with students and new colleagues as they enter the profession.

10.a.   Know and participate in professional organizations and activities on the science education community beyond the classroom.

10.b.   Behave ethically and in best interests of preK-12 students and the community.

10.c.   Engage in reflective practices and make continuous efforts to improve in practice.

10.d.   Work willingly with peers, supervisors and others in a professional manner.