Biological Sciences Curriculum Study BSCS Established in 1958

Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) ` Established in 1958, a non-profit organization, dedicated to: development of biological sciences curricula at all levels provide professional development for teachers ` Started in response to debate regarding how biology should be taught and what should be taught ` BSCS redefined importance of scientific theories and based them on scientific data ` Concensus on content: 9 themes in biology deemed to be the most important and central to the idea of EVOLUTION. . . Evolutionary theory had almost dissappeared from textbooks at that time.

PBSCS is the basis for Joseph Schwab’s model of teaching, “Invitation to Inquiry” Poften associated with Constructivist Theory; basic ideas of constructivism: Þwe all learn, interpret and organize information in individual ways Þfactors such as genetics, environment and developmental history form these unique interpretations

In a nutshell…. Children are actively engaged problem solvers.

Schwab outlines 4 Phases in his model of teaching: 1. Teacher “proposes a problem. Scientific Method: *Identify the problem 2. Students structure the problem to identify the thrust of the problem *Research topic/gather information 3. Students “speculate” on the *Form a hypothesis problem 4. Students speculate on how to *Experiment: gather materials, solve problem through plan a procedure, conduct investigation experiment, gather data, interpret data, form conclusion

This approach to learning does the following: * Students work to solve problems of their own construction or those posed by the teacher. * Students work both in class and out of class. * The teacher serves as a helper, guide, and resource provider. * Students often work in teams. * Students seek to learn process as well as product. * School is more like real-life solution seeking. * Parents and community are often important associates in the learning. * Since many activities are open-ended, there may be a variety of appropriate solutions and processes.

Schwab and BSCS are important because they do the following. . . h Emphasize thoughtful inquiry and decision making, as opposed to memorization h Encourage students to see science as a current body of knowledge and an on-going investigation into new information h Teach students to think critically and apply knowledge to real-world situations h Student’s learn science by doing science, not by hearing about it!