P6740 Science Education

The goal of science education is to maintain a scientifically literate citizenry: one that knows the major concepts, laws and theories of science; one that uses the methods of science to solve everyday problems; and one that understands the limits and strengths of science. To that end, the science curriculum will be a program of study which provides for the abilities, needs, and interests of all students allowing students to begin with the fundamental levels of understanding and advance to the more complex. 

Administrative Implemental Procedures: 

1. The prime responsibility of the administration and the supervision of the science program within each school rest with the principal, but key teachers and/or the science department chairpersons as well as curriculum/assessment personnel must assist in this function. 

2. The overall goal of the science program is to develop a scientifically literate citizen. Guiding principles, which facilitate the attainment of this goal, are: 

   1. Students should be active participants in science activities that incorporate the following standards aligned with Curriculum and Evaluation Standards of the National Science Education Standards and Kansas Curricular Standards for Science:  

      1. All students will use the processes of science to provide a means for producing knowledge. 

      2. All students will receive, interpret, and give information that has meaning. 

      3. All students will explain and interpret theories and concepts in Life, Earth, and Physical Sciences using unifying themes. 

      4. All students will use themes as organizers in the science curriculum to help show how knowledge, principles, and concepts connect one science subject to another.  

      5. All students will evaluate the complex interrelationships of science and technology with social and physical environments. 

   2. When and where possible, safe laboratory facilities as well as science equipment and materials should be made available in order that students may become active participants. 

   3. Individual science projects aligned with the standards should be assessed by building staff and community with areas of strength and improvement shared with students and their parents/guardians. 

   4. Sufficient flexibility in the science curriculum as well as multiple teaching methods should be maintained in order to meet the special needs of individuals and groups. 

   5. Selection of science activities should be guided by the criterion that experimentation should promote inquiry rather than verify what is known. 

   6. Innovation by individual teachers, as well as participation in appropriate pilot courses, is encouraged with district approval and site-based funding. 

   7. The content of science courses must be periodically reevaluated and, when necessary, revised to reflect new goals, new knowledge, major shifts in thinking, and new interpretations of phenomena. 

   8. Because of changes in science knowledge and understanding, instructional staff should be encouraged to improve scientific skills and knowledge through appropriate staff development. 

Administrative Responsibility: Learning Services 

Latest Revision Date: September 1997 

Previous Revision Date: July 1990 P6740 

Updated administratively for alignment purposes: March 2021 

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