This is an archived educational resource page.
BSCS has determined that we can no longer recommend the use of this resource because it is out of date or we are no longer able to provide support for it. We are continuing to make this page and the resources linked to it available so that members of the educational community can review and learn from it.
How many times have you heard or read a story about a new scientific advancement? Every day, we get new information about health and science. It is on websites, social media, television, and newspapers. It can be hard to know what to believe. Sometimes, it may sound like a great advancement or something that is too good to be true. Other times, it seems like it is completely opposite to other information that you have heard.
How can we know what is valid?
BSCS Science Learning has released new curriculum modules for middle school and high school students with this challenge in mind. The goal of these freely available materials is to help students learn strategies that they can use to evaluate the health-related information that they see or hear in the media. Through the five lessons, students gain experience in finding, analyzing, and communicating about health information. Although the modules focus on health-related examples, the strategies they learn can be applied to many areas of life that require good decision-making skills.
Overview of Lessons
This project was supported by the Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health under award number R25OD020208. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
This is an archived educational resource page.
BSCS has determined that we can no longer recommend the use of this resource because it is out of date or we are no longer able to provide support for it. We are continuing to make this page and the resources linked to it available so that members of the educational community can review and learn from it.
Allergies affect more than 50 million Americans, and are among the leading causes of chronic disease in the US. One in every 13 children, roughly two students in every classroom, have allergies to food.
To help middle school teachers more effectively teach about food allergies, BSCS Science Learning has developed an online curriculum supplement called Allergies and Scientific Inquiry. Students using this multimedia resource learn how to distinguish food allergies from other negative food reactions. They explore the role of the immune system in causing allergy symptoms and learn how medical research is contributing to better allergy management.
Lessons engage students in the practices of scientific inquiry, and are aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards. Teachers can access instructions for navigating the classroom lessons once logged into the teacher portal.
Is this the right resource for your classroom? Here’s a sample of what students will learn:
- Allergies involve inappropriate reactions of the immune system.
- Scientific medical diagnosis of food allergies is critical.
- The main management option for people with food allergies is avoidance.
- The management of food allergies is improved if people know how to correctly read food labels.
- Individuals with food allergies should not be stigmatized.
This resource was supported by a grant (R25 A1098674-01) from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
This is an archived educational resource page.
BSCS has determined that we can no longer recommend the use of this resource because it is out of date or we are no longer able to provide support for it. We are continuing to make this page and the resources linked to it available so that members of the educational community can review and learn from it.
Building upon the success of the BSCS Science: An Inquiry Approach high school program, BSCS Science Learning has developed and field tested* a multidisciplinary science program for middle school students.
BSCS Middle School Science is a standards- and inquiry-based program comprised of four units: Earth/Space Science, Life Science, Physical Science, and Science and Society. Designed for maximum flexibility, the units are grounded by the BSCS 5E Instructional Model and can be adapted for various teaching styles and classroom settings.
The curriculum is available free online for teachers.
*The field test results demonstrated significant content gains across all four units.
This resource was funded by the US Department of Education and the Institute of Education Sciences.
This is an archived educational resource page.
BSCS has determined that we can no longer recommend the use of this resource because it is out of date or we are no longer able to provide support for it. We are continuing to make this page and the resources linked to it available so that members of the educational community can review and learn from it.
Do we need more wind farms? Should I buy solar panels for my roof? Is my lifestyle contributing to climate change? These are relevant questions in today’s world. And the ability to answer them depends on an understanding of energy.
That’s why BSCS Science Learning developed EMAT. This free online course helps teachers frame complex energy concepts in a way that will resonate with high school students and prepare them to participate in important societal conversations. Supporting both teacher and student learning, EMAT includes six units: Coal, Nuclear Energy, Wind, Geothermal Energy, BioFuels, and Solar Energy. These units feature 34 engaging classroom videos, 30 content animations, and 20 interactive learning experiences.
This resource was developed in collaboration with Oregon Public Broadcasting, the National Teachers Enhancement Network of Montana State University, the National Renewable Energy Lab, and the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. DRL 1118643. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
This is an archived educational resource page.
BSCS has determined that we can no longer recommend the use of this resource because it is out of date or we are no longer able to provide support for it. We are continuing to make this page and the resources linked to it available so that members of the educational community can review and learn from it.
Teaching elementary science can be challenging. So how can university faculty prepare future elementary teachers for success in the classroom? And how can professional development leaders help existing elementary teachers grow?
BSCS Science Learning created ViSTA specifically for university preservice methods courses and inservice professional learning programs. The resource is designed to enhance elementary science content knowledge and instructional practices. ViSTA users explore the powerful STeLLA® approach, learning to apply high-leverage teaching strategies through video-based lesson analysis. With access to five content-specific modules—Plants, Electricity, Water Cycle, Force and Motion, and Inquiry—ViSTA users will discover a range of K-8 classroom videos, assignments, and guided in-class exercises that are relevant to their specific contexts.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. DRL-0957996. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
This is an archived educational resource page.
BSCS has determined that we can no longer recommend the use of this resource because it is out of date or we are no longer able to provide support for it. We are continuing to make this page and the resources linked to it available so that members of the educational community can review and learn from it.
Elementary science teachers’ first year in the classroom can be challenging. They must navigate leading active student learning experiences while diving into science content that is often outside their expertise. New teachers are more likely to feel prepared for this role if they’ve taken a high quality preservice methods course in college.
That’s why BSCS Science Learning developed ViSTA Plus—a full-semester online course designed to enhance preservice elementary teachers’ science content knowledge and instructional practices. ViSTA Plus users explore the powerful STeLLA® approach, learning to apply high-leverage teaching strategies through video-based lesson analysis. Throughout the course, users discover and pay attention to the ways students make sense of scientific concepts and design coherent lessons connected to big science ideas. The course focuses on two content areas, food webs and water cycle, and provides access to videos, assignments, and assessments.
ViSTA Plus is a valuable resource for university instructors who are looking to adopt a complete course for elementary science methods. A research study on ViSTA Plus showed successful science learning outcomes for new teachers and ultimately their students during the student teaching year.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. DRL-1220635. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
This is an archived educational resource page.
BSCS has determined that we can no longer recommend the use of this resource because it is out of date or we are no longer able to provide support for it. We are continuing to make this page and the resources linked to it available so that members of the educational community can review and learn from it.
Children are naturally inquisitive. That is one of the many reasons why it is important to engage students in science at a young age. With access to a high quality science education, students can channel their curiosities to help make sense of the world around them.
BSCS Science Learning’s elementary program allows preK through grade 5 students to interact like scientists, participating in inquiry-based activities while also developing important reading, writing, and critical-thinking skills. BSCS Science Tracks: Connecting Science & Literacy offers four modules—life science, earth & space science, physical science, and science & technology—for each grade level.
BSCS recently revised two units to align with the Next Generation Science Standards. These units are: Investigating Properties Student Guide and Investigating Ecosystems Student Guide. All units are available for purchase through Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.
This is an archived educational resource page.
BSCS has determined that we can no longer recommend the use of this resource because it is out of date or we are no longer able to provide support for it. We are continuing to make this page and the resources linked to it available so that members of the educational community can review and learn from it.
Where has biology teaching been, and where is it going? How can I create a culture of scientific inquiry in my classroom? How do I teach controversial questions? Biology educators will discover the answers to these and other key questions in The Biology Teacher’s Handbook, Fourth Edition.
BSCS Science Learning has filled this volume with valuable teaching ideas and guidelines for grades 6-12 and college biology educators. Teachers will learn strategies to enhance their instructional practices, create a culture of inquiry in the classroom, promote scientific discussion, and more.
This resource is available for purchase through NSTA Press .