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NAEP RELEASES "NATION'S REPORT CARD" IN SCIENCE
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- This week, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) released the "Nation's Report Card" in science for students at grades 4, 8, and 12 in 2009. National results for each of the three grades are based on representative samples of public and private school students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense schools. State results are reported separately for fourth- and eighth-grade public school students from 46 states and the Department of Defense schools. Student performance is summarized as average scores and as percentages of students performing at or above three achievement levels: Basic, Proficient, and Advanced. Results for student demographic groups (e.g., race/ethnicity, gender, and type of school location) are included, as well as sample assessment questions with examples of student responses. The NAEP science assessment was updated in 2009 to keep the content current with key developments in science, curriculum standards, assessments, and research. Because of the recent changes to the assessment, the results from 2009 cannot be compared to those from previous assessment years; however, they provide a current snapshot of what the nation’s fourth-, eighth-, and twelfth-graders know and can do in science that will serve as the basis for comparisons on future science assessments. Highlights of the national results show the following:
* Thirty four percent of fourth-graders, 30 percent of eighth-graders, and 21 percent of twelfth-graders performed at or above the Proficient level, demonstrating competency over challenging subject matter.
* Seventy-two percent of fourth-graders, 63 percent of eighth-graders, and 60 percent of twelfth-graders performed at or above the Basic level in science in 2009, demonstrating partial mastery of the knowledge and skills fundamental for proficient work in the subject.
* Twelfth-graders who reported taking biology, chemistry, and physics scored higher than students taking less advanced science coursework.
* Of the 47 states/jurisdictions that participated at the state level, scores for fourth-grade public school students in 24 states were higher than the score for the nation, and scores in 10 states were lower.
* At eighth-grade, scores for students in 25 states were higher than the score for the nation, and scores for 15 states were lower. In addition, results varied for students of different racial/ethnic groups.
* At grades 4 and 8, White students had higher average scores than other racial/ethnic groups, and Asian/Pacific Islander students scored higher than Black, Hispanic, and American Indian/Alaska Native students. At grade 12, there was no significant difference in scores for White and Asian/Pacific Islander students, and both groups scored higher on average than other racial/ethnic groups.
* Students’ performance on the science assessment differed based on the location of the schools they attended. At grades 4 and 8, students attending schools in city locations scored lower on average than students in schools in other locations. At grade 12, the average score for students in city schools was lower than the score for students attending suburban schools, but was not significantly different from the scores for students in town and rural locations.
* Male students scored higher on average than female students at all three grades.
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- INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF CHEMISTRY 2011 KICKS OFF TODAY
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- The International Year of Chemistry 2011 (IYC 2011) kicked off today with an opening ceremony in Paris. IYC 2011 is a worldwide celebration of the achievements of chemistry and its contributions to the well-being of humankind. Under the unifying theme "Chemistry -- our life, our future," IYC 2011 will offer a range of interactive, entertaining, and educational activities for all ages. The Year of Chemistry is intended to reach across the globe, with opportunities for public participation at the local, regional, and national level. The goals of IYC 2011 are to increase the public appreciation of chemistry in meeting world needs, to encourage interest in chemistry among young people, and to generate enthusiasm for the creative future of chemistry. The year 2011 will coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Nobel Prize awarded to Madame Marie Curie -- an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of women to science. The year will also be the 100th anniversary of the founding of the International Association of Chemical Societies, providing a chance to highlight the benefits of international scientific collaboration.
During the "Twelve Months of Chemistry", each month will be marked by a specific activity at the University, organized in collaboration with schools, industrial partners, regional authorities, and science centers. IYC 2011 events will emphasize that chemistry is a creative science essential for sustainability and improvements to our way of life. Activities, such as lectures, exhibits, and hands-on experiments, will explore how chemical research is critical for solving our most vexing global problems involving food, water, health, energy, transportation, and more. In addition, the Year of Chemistry will help enhance international cooperation by serving as a focal point or information source for activities by national chemical societies, educational institutions, industry, governmental, and non-governmental organizations. Einstein Fellow Dan Menelly (2010-2011, NSF) has been selected to attend the ceremonies as an official representative of the U.S. National Committee for the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. For more information about IYC 2011, visit www.chemistry2011.org.
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- REGISTRATION OPEN FOR THE 18TH ANNUAL NASA GREAT MOONBUGGY RACE
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- Registration is open for the 18th Annual NASA Great Moonbuggy Race. High school and college students are challenged to design and build a vehicle that addresses a series of engineering problems similar to those faced by the original lunar-roving vehicle team. Each school may enter up to two teams. International teams are limited to 10 teams per country. The race will take place April 1-2, 2011, in Huntsville, AL, at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. U.S. teams must register by February 1. For more information about the competition and to register online, visit http://moonbuggy.msfc.nasa.gov.
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- ROCKET CITY MATH LEAGUE
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- The Rocket City Math League (RCML) organizes an annual math competition for motivated and talented middle and high school students from Pre-Algebra through Calculus and beyond. RCML is structured as a year-long, four-round online math contest. Tests are sent to registered schools via email before each round, and scores are entered on an online database. Trophies are mailed to the top ranked students and schools at the end of the year. There are five levels of three rounds of individual testing that range from Pre-Algebra to Calculus, and two levels of an Inter-School Test.
RCML was created in 2001 by the math team students at Grissom High School in Huntsville, AL. The contests and solutions are written by Grissom students with support from their math team coach. Their goal is to provide a high-quality math competition to foster interest and develop a deeper understanding of mathematics. Over the years, the competition has grown from a small, 10-team contest, to one with over 4500 students participating globally last year. Over 250 schools from more than 20 countries have competed, and the contest is free thanks to a grant from Mu Alpha Theta national mathematics honor society. Find out more at www.rocketcitymath.org. The competition is also open to home schooled students.
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- PURDUE STUDY SAYS SELF TESTING IS KEY TO LEARNING
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- The time students invest in rereading or reviewing their notes would be better spent practicing retrieval to ensure better learning, according to new research from Purdue University. "We continue to show that practicing retrieval, or testing yourself, is a powerful, robust tool for learning," said Jeffrey D. Karpicke, an assistant professor of psychological sciences who studies learning and memory. "Our new research shows that practicing retrieval is an even more effective strategy than engaging in elaborative studying. Educators, researchers, and students are often focused on getting things 'in memory,' so techniques that encourage students to elaborate on the material are often popular. But learning is fundamentally about retrieving, and our research shows that practicing retrieval while you study is crucial to learning. Self-testing enriches and improves the learning process, and there needs to be more focus on using retrieval as a learning strategy."
In two studies, a total of 200 students studied texts on topics from different science disciplines. One group engaged in elaborative studying by creating concept maps - diagrams that illustrate the complicated connections and relationships in the material. The second group read the texts and then practiced retrieval; these students put the material away and practiced recalling the concepts from the text. The students returned to the lab a week later for the actual assessment of long-term learning. The group that studied by practicing retrieval showed a 50 percent improvement in long-term retention scores above and beyond the group that studied by creating concept maps. The students also were asked to predict which technique -- practicing retrieval or elaborative studying -- would be best for their long-term learning. While the majority thought that elaborative studying with concept mapping would be best, the students actually learned more by practicing retrieval. Karpicke's future studies include evaluating how concept mapping can be used as part of the retrieval process, as well as other effective self-testing practices for students. More information is available at http://memory.psych.purdue.edu.
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- MATHEMATICS EDUCATORS AND RESEARCHERS TO
- CONVENE TO DISCUSS INNOVATIONS IN CALCULUS INSTRUCTION
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- Texas Instruments Education Technology is convening leaders in calculus education from around the world to discuss issues and innovations in the field during the day-long 2nd Annual Calculus Conference-in-a-Conference program at the T3 International Conference on February 26, in San Antonio, TX. Organized as an educational forum for calculus teachers, the T3 International Calculus Conference-in-a-Conference will feature a panel discussion on the challenges facing Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus, an international panel providing perspectives on calculus instruction and an address by Mathematical Association of America President-elect Paul Zorn. Mathematical literacy also will be on the agenda during the closing session of the conference where attendees will discuss, "Calculus or Statistics: Which is more important for mathematical literacy?"
For more than 20 years, the T3 International and Regional Conferences have educated teachers on innovative ways to sharpen their pedagogy skills and to engage students in the math and science classroom using technology. Teachers learn from experienced educators, participate in hundreds of hands-on sessions, network with other educators and receive classroom activities and ideas to implement in their own classrooms. They also have the opportunity to preview the latest classroom technology from Texas instruments. Education Technology, a business of Triangle Coalition member, Texas Instruments, provides a wide range of tools connecting the classroom experience with real-world applications, helping students and teachers to explore math and science interactively. TI's products and services are tested vigorously against recognized third-party research, which shows that the use of graphing calculators helps improve the mathematical skills of students and their attitudes toward mathematics. For more information, visit www.education.ti.com.
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- HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS CREATIVELY EXPRESS PASSION FOR CHEMISTRY
- Videos created by high school students across the country will soon be judged as part of It's Elemental, an online student video contest created and hosted by the Chemical Heritage Foundation (CHF) and sponsored by The Dow Chemical Company. Dow and CHF invited high school students to submit three to five minute videos depicting an element from the periodic table of elements. Student response was robust, with approximately 700 individuals and groups submitting entries. Video submissions will be evaluated based on the depth and quality of scientific information, integration with social and historical context, and overall artistry and production quality. In addition to the formal judging process, Dow and CHF encourage the general public's involvement in helping to select a "People's Pick" Award winner online at www.chemheritage.org.
The contest was conceived as part of CHF's outreach efforts focused on science education. Dow's support is a reflection of its commitment to the United Nations-designated International Year of Chemistry, a year-long global celebration in 2011 of achievements in chemistry, education, and international collaboration. Dow-sponsored grants in the amount of $5,000 will be awarded to the science departments of the top 11 submissions, including the "People's Pick" Award winner. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.
- TCEB Sponsors
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- This issue of the TCEB is made possible by a grant from:
3M
3M is a diversified technology company committed to providing practical and ingenious solutions to help customers succeed.
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- To find out how your organization can sponsor the TCEB or support the Triangle Coalition in other ways, visit www.trianglecoalition.org/support.htm
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