Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

Collage of science and engineering instruction images

Print and read the Learning Progressions document for the practice of constructing explanations (in science) and designing solutions (in engineering). Learning progressions are “standards” of a sort in that they tell science teachers what students should know and be able to do by the end of each grade band.

Also provided below are the current K-12 Nature of Science and Engineering (NSE) Standards. These may be printed for K-12, or for just your matching grade level, or simply viewed for analysis and comparison by opening the file.

Practice 6 Learning Progressions.pdf

K-12 NSE Standards.xlsx

Discussion

How does the practice of constructing explanations and designing solutions progress K-12? What are the major expectations for each grade band?
How does this practice correlate with the current Minnesota Nature of Science and Engineering benchmarks (for your grade level)?
What are the major differences between using a practice approach to the teaching of science and using NSE benchmarks?
What can you do in your science classroom to help students obtain the knowledge and skills outlined in this learning progression?
How will these learning progressions impact your teaching and your curriculum?

Final Module Reflection

Take a moment to review your notes, converse with others, and “construct an explanation” of your learning in this module. Write a reflective paragraph or two that summarizes your learning from this experience.

For you, what are the “take-home messages” or big ideas from this module?
How will this impact your science teaching?
What questions do you have?

Take Two minutes for a quick evaluation of today’s session. Module 3 Session 8 Survey