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BSCS Science & Technology

BSCS Science and Technology

BSCS Science & Technology, 3rd Edition, Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co.; Science Kit, 2005

New to the Third Edition: Science content has been updated and units among levels have been shifted to provide a major discipline focus to each level within the theme

Patterns of Change - Investigtating Earth Systems
Diversity and Limits - Investigating Physical Systems
Systems and Chance - Investigating Life Systems

Special Features in BSCS Science & Technology:

Strong conceptual connections throughout the program (within a unit, chapter, and lesson)
Use of a design and pedagogical feature, "Connections," to encourage teachers and students to make connections
BSCS 5E Instructional Model to develop conceptual understanding

Most Common Instructional Strategies in BSCS Science & Technology:

Cooperative science activities and labs
Projects
Discussion - small group
Discussion - large group
Writing and journaling
Drama - reenactments

BSCS Science & Technology is a multi-level, thematic program that integrates life, earth-space and physical sciences in the context of themes and issues that have meaning for science students. Using hands-on, activities and an explicit BSCS 5E Instructional Model learning cycle in a cooperative learning environment, BSCS Science & Technology encourages an inquiry approach to science and aligns with the National Science Education Standards.

BSCS Science & Technology creates opportunities for students to learn skills, develop concepts, and acquire attitudes in many areas of science and technology. In this curriculum, students develop a conceptual understanding of the foundations of science and technology while they study specific concepts, such as the theory of plate tectonics, the particle theory of matter, the chromosome theory of inheritance, the theory of evolution, principles of design, cost-and-benefit analysis and systems analysis. We also introduce students to scientific and technological attitudes, such as accepting ambiguity, searching for evidence, working to support and justify answers, recognizing inferences and not always expecting right and wrong answers or simplistic solutions for complex scientific questions or for technological problems.

Key Features:
-- Integrates the sciences
-- Incorporates technology
-- Uses a constructivist instructional model
-- Includes cooperative learning strategies
-- Offers a variety of teaching strategies to help you meet the diverse needs of your students
-- Accommodates different cognitive styles and makes the most of multiple intelligences
-- Broadens the role of assessment so that students become responsible for their own learning

Audience:
Middle School (6-8) or Junior High (7-9)

Components:
-- Student text (three--one for each year)
-- Materials kits
-- Minds On Science video sets (one set for each level)
-- Teacher's Edition
-- Teacher's Resource Book

Publisher:
Kendall/Hunt Publishing, Dubuque, Iowa. To contact the publisher for examination copies, call 1.800.542.6657.

Content:
The life science, earth-space science and physical science content of this program is linked to major conceptual themes:

-- Level A Patterns of Change
-- Level B Diversity and Limits
-- Level C Systems and Change
-- For more, see the Scope and Sequence Chart under the Table of Contents.

Pedagogy:
In this program, the students learn science by doing science and by developing an understanding of the processes of inquiry. This activity-based program is explicitly constructivist and uses the BSCS 5E lnstructional Model.

More details

Frequently Asked Questions

Revision Ideas:
If you use this program and have discovered errors or have suggestions for improvement, please E-mail them to us at middleschool@bscs.org. We rely on our colleagues to help us make future editions of BSCS curricula the best they can be.

This project was developed with funds from the National Science Foundation