Science

The project aims to build foundational knowledge about teacher learning to notice teaching and student thinking in new ways by using video clips of science instruction within a professional development context. Professional development is centered around the analysis of video clips depicting the implementation of three-dimensional performance assessments in science classrooms, and draws on cognitive science to enhance teacher learning from video (these include contrasting cases and self-explanation principles).

This project examines the efficacy of the Model-Based Educational Resource (MBER) for high-school biology teachers and students. Previous work on MBER has found that the materials support teachers in providing opportunities for engaging student sensemaking and modeling, are feasible to implement in diverse classroom contexts, and show promise of efficacy in increasing student achievement. With this project we are generating causal evidence investigating how this approach to teaching and learning supports Next Generation Science learning.

This project examines the efficacy of the Model-Based Educational Resource (MBER) for high-school biology teachers and students. Previous work on MBER has found that the materials support teachers in providing opportunities for engaging student sensemaking and modeling, are feasible to implement in diverse classroom contexts, and show promise of efficacy in increasing student achievement. With this project we are generating causal evidence investigating how this approach to teaching and learning supports Next Generation Science learning.

This project builds on existing work on three-dimensional learning progressions in high school physical sciences to develop an artificial intelligence supported scoring system for student text and models. These tools will be used to support learning of electrical forces in an integrated curriculum with real-time feedback on formative assessment items. We report on early attempts to design coding rubrics for automatic scoring of explanations and modeling responses and outcomes of developing text classification models.

In this project, we are developing strengths-based formative assessment tools to support students’ use of the crosscutting concepts (CCCs) in phenomenon-based science learning. We have used the practice of Developing and Using Models as a window into student use of the CCCs, co-developing instructional supports with participating teachers. We are now connecting these supports to aspects of the formative assessment process (e.g., visualizing success, eliciting evidence of student thinking, providing feedback, and cultivating student self-assessment).

“Dimensions of Success: Transforming Quality Assessment in Middle School Science and Engineering” aims to update and expand the Dimensions of Success (DoS) quality observation tool (created for informal science learning settings under NSF Award #1008591) to middle school science and engineering classrooms. This project will create a sustainable and scalable system of support for teachers as they 1) implement current science and engineering standards, and 2) create classroom cultures that are equitable and inclusive.

The goal of this project is to develop and test an online professional development (PD) platform, Science Comprehensive Online Learning Platform (SCOLP), against traditional face-to-face (F2F) PD to build the capacity of rural teachers to collaborate and support the successful implementation of Toward High School Biology (THSB) in their own settings through online job-embedded professional learning.

We are utilizing a novel form of professional learning--Technology-Mediated Lesson Study--to support rural science teachers' professional networks and capacity for 3D science teaching. We are studying changes in teacher practice, and changes in their professional social networks. The teachers are producing 3D lesson plans responsive to rural students' cultures, interests, and needs.

Developing Teachers' Epistemic Cognition and Teaching Practices for Supporting Students' Epistemic Practices with Scientific Systems.

Developing Science Assessments for Language Diversity in Early Elementary Classrooms (SALDEE) is developing Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) aligned formative assessments for first grade. The assessments will be small group checks and individual checks to explore types of design features, implementation practices, and affordances of each assessment format for first grade learners. SALDEE will generate new assessments that reliably measure young learners’ NGSS three-dimensional science proficiency and provide teachers with resources for implementation and scoring.