Science Framework, part 1 - Free Downloads (CA Dept of Education)

20Chapter 2The Nature ofScience andTechnologyThe Mathematics Framework containsan important precaution that equallyapplies to science: “The use of technologyin and of itself does not ensureimprovements in student achievement,nor is its use necessarily betterfor student achievement than aremore traditional methods.” 5• Simulate or model investigations andexperiments that would be too expensive,time-consuming, dangerous, orotherwise impractical. Investigationand Experimentation Standard 1.grequires students in grades ninethrough twelve to “recognize the usefulnessand limitations of models andtheories as scientific representationsof reality.” 6• Support universal access to sciencecontent through assistive technologies,consistent with a student’s 504accommodation plan 7 or individualizededucation program. 8Resources for TeachingScience and TechnologyAs students learn the skills andknowledge called for in the ScienceContent Standards for California PublicSchools they will come to know implicitlythe nature of science. They willunderstand the key concepts, principles,and theories of science and willhave practiced scientific inquiry. Theguidance and information provided inthis framework may be used to implementeffective science education programsin public schools from kindergartenthrough grade twelve that willprovide students with the opportunityto become scientifically literate andunderstand the nature of science andtechnology.The number of electronic resourcesfor science education is increasing rapidly.The California Learning ResourceNetwork provides a way for educators to identifysupplemental electronic learning resources,including Web sites, that simultaneouslymeet local instructionalneeds and align with the Science ContentStandards and this framework.Educators should comply with applicablepolicies of their school districtsregarding Internet resources.When science and technology arediscussed in the context of history andhistorical figures, instruction is oftenenriched. The History–Social ScienceContent Standards follows this principle.9 The standards:• Include references to scientists suchas Ben Franklin, Louis Pasteur,George Washington Carver, MarieCurie, Albert Einstein, NicolausCopernicus, Galileo Galilei, JohannesKepler, and Isaac Newton.• Cover inventors such as ThomasEdison, Alexander Graham Bell, theWright brothers, James Watt, EliWhitney, and Henry Bessemer.• Encompass the effects of the informationand computer revolutions,changes in communication, advancesin medicine, and improvements inagricultural technology.Science and SocietyScience does not take place in asecret place isolated from the rest ofsociety. Nor are the technologies thatit creates shielded from public scrutiny.The continued expansion of scientificknowledge and the new technologiesthat spin off that knowledge will inevi-