Teaching Science for Understanding : A Practical Guide for Middle and High School Teachers

Teaching Middle and High School Science for Understanding: A Practical Guide for Teachers provides a theoretical and practical introduction to teaching science for understanding and application. The book is grounded in a new paradigm for science education that is consistent with the Project 2061, National Science Education Standards and reform programs in many states. It is based on formal research and on experiences of teachers who have been successful in transforming their classrooms from traditional forms of instruction to an environment where students learn to understand science and apply it in their own lives. The author's experience in classrooms, and with practicing teachers in the U.S. and in several other nations, add richness to this book as a resource for helping teachers improve their professional effectiveness. The author demonstrates science teaching through three different

James Gallagher is Professor of Science Education at Michigan State University.  During his tenure at Michigan State University, Dr. Gallagher has been engaged in teacher education and staff development on campus, nationally, and internationally.  He has worked with MSU’s Professional Development School program and both undergraduate and graduate courses for prospective science teachers.  He also has conducted a widely recognized program for staff development of teachers in Michigan and Ohio.  He directed a research and development program on classroom-based assessment that has influenced the quality and effectiveness of teaching and learning in middle school science. He recently co-directed a project studying leadership development in science and mathematics education, and a professional development project for teachers in rural schools in Michigan. 

 

Dr. Gallagher has been a leader in the current reform efforts in the United States.  He was a member of the writing team on the National Research Council’s National Science Education Standards, and he coordinated development of AAAS Project 2061’s Blueprint for Teacher Education.  He serves as an advisor for 2009 revision of the National Assessment of Educational Progress and as a member of the international Steering Committee for the Third International Mathematics and Science Study — Multinational Video Study.  He has published widely with nearly 100 reports, journal articles, and chapters in books.  He was the 1998 winner of the Award for Distinguished Contributions to Science Education through Research, which is the highest award given by the National Association for Research in Science Teaching.