Explanation+in+Science

=Why focus on scientific explanation?= Students engage in authentic science discourse and practice. Students learn science concepts AND how science is done -- both of which are necessary for scientific literacy in a democratic society. Engaging in constructing science explanation contributes to students problem-solving, reasoning and communication skills (21st century skills).

=Hands-on science is NOT enough=
 * TIMSS (The International Math Science Study) Video Study
 * Comparison of science teaching at the 8th grade level
 * US engages students in activities in science
 * 44% of US science lessons have weak or no connections among ideas and activities
 * 27% did not address science concepts at all

=Strands of Proficiency=
 * // Strand 1: Understanding Scientific Explanations //** means knowing, using, and interpreting scientific explanations for how the natural world works. This requires that students understand science concepts and are able to apply them in novel situations, as opposed to memorizing facts.

**//Strand 2: Generating Scientific Evidence//** requires knowledge and abilities to design fair tests, collect, organize and analyze data, and interpret and evaluate evidence for the ultimate purpose of developing and refining scientific models, arguments, and explanations.

**//Strand 3: Reflecting on Scientific Knowledge//** involves understanding how scientific knowledge claims are constructed, both in scientific communities and the classroom. Students should recognize that scientific knowledge is a particular kind of knowledge that uses evidence to explain how the natural world works. They also should be able to monitor the development of their own thinking over time and in light of new evidence.

**//Strand 4: Participating Productively in Science//** refers to norms of participation within the classroom community. For example, students should understand the role of evidence in presenting scientific arguments. The aim is to work together to share ideas, build explanations from evidence, and critique those explanations, much like scientists do.