Beads and ‘Biomes

The issue of antibiotic resistance among bacterial pathogens is often misunderstood. Here, we present an activity that debunks misconceptions regarding microorganisms, such as bacterial pathogens, and addresses how antibiotics work. We propose this activity be incorporated into middle or high school classrooms addressing both this real-world issue and elements from the Next Generation Science Standards. Students are encouraged to use hands-on experiences toward hypothesis development and testing to better understand how antibiotic resistance is spread among bacterial pathogens and commensals. Over half of the students who participated in this activity self-reported that they were likely to share the information they learned outside of their classroom, reflecting real-time impacts on science stewardship in students. This activity also presents students with an issue that has clear action items they can undertake to effect positive change.

The impact of perception of middle school curricula according to the next generation of science standards on conceptual comprehension and thinking skills

There is an urgent need to update the science curricula content in light of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The purpose of this research is to present a proposal of the science curricula content in light of the NGSS. Secondly, the effect of NGSS on conceptual understanding and higher-thinking skills among first-year intermediate students is also analyzed. This work is unique as no research is conducted on the topic as per the best of our knowledge. Hence, the research may motivate further studies on the topic. The semi-experimental method was used to know the impact of teaching science in conceptual understanding and higher thinking skills. The sample consisted of 62 students divided into two groups. The control group was led the “nature of material” unit in the first-year intermediate book, issued by the Ministry of Education in 1438 AH. A list of science tools was prepared for analyzing the content of science curricula in light of Next-Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Two tests were prepared, a conceptual understanding test and a higher thinking skills test. The research revealed different results: the availability degree of science for the next-generation science standards curricula in the intermediate stage was low. The developed unit’s size effect in light of these standards on conceptual understanding and higher-thinking skills among the research sample was high with a value of 0.89-0.91.

Randomized Controlled Trial of a Cohesive Eight-Week Evolution Unit That Incorporates Molecular Genetics and Principles of the Next Generation Science Standards

Findings from a randomized controlled study comparing a new, freely available Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) high school evolution unit that integrates molecular genetics with teachers’ typical NGSS units are reported. Treatment students showed significantly higher evolution learning gains. Implications for secondary and postsecondary science educators are addressed.

Incorporating the Expanded Core Curriculum into science

The Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) is a set of concepts and skills that are taught to students with visual impairments to support their learning that often occurs incidentally with vision. Students with visual impairments must learn both the ECC and content from the general education curriculum, including science. Thus, it is crucial to incorporate these two sets of curricula so that students with visual impairments can learn both sets of curricula more efficiently. This article presents an analysis of science curricula and lesson plans that support the Next Generation Science Standards while promoting teaching skills to students with visual impairments in the ECC. The results show that the ECC can be incorporated into science easily which will allow the ECC and science to be taught in one lesson.