Learning Science: The Value of Crafting Engagement in Science Environments

An innovative, internationally developed system to help advance science learning and instruction for high school students
 
This book tells the story of a $3.6 million research project funded by the National Science Foundation aimed at increasing scientific literacy and addressing global concerns of declining science engagement. Studying dozens of classrooms across the United States and Finland, this international team combines large‑scale studies with intensive interviews from teachers and students to examine how to transform science education. Written for teachers, parents, policymakers, and researchers, this book offers solutions for matching science learning and instruction with newly recommended twenty‑first‑century standards. Included are science activities that engage and inspire students; sample lesson plans; and approaches for measuring science engagement and encouragement of three-dimensional learning.

Barbara Schneider is professor of education and sociology at Michigan State University. Joseph Krajcik is professor and director of CREATE for STEM at Michigan State University. Jari Lavonen is professor of physics and chemistry education and department head at the University of Helsinki. Katariina Salmela‑Aro is professor of educational sciences and psychology at the University of Helsinki. Margaret J. Geller is senior scientist, Harvard‑Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.