Science and health content are essential at all grade levels. The importance of science and health initiatives extend past the walls of the school and should be promoted by the students and families in their homes. This begins with an understanding of the standards and how they are being taught and supported in the classroom.
Create a 10-12 digital slide presentation to be presented to students’ families. Include the following:
Welcome slide outlining the session objectives based on where the presentation will be held (i.e., welcome night, curriculum night, open house).
An overview of the Next Generation Science Standards.
A comparison of your state’s adopted science standards to the Next Generation Science standards to promote mastery of learning for all students in the inclusive classroom. If your state has adopted the NGSS, discuss when the adoption took place and a short comparison to the previously adopted standards.
An overview of your state’s adopted health standards.
Describe two potential science projects that integrate health and could take place throughout the school year. Discuss how students’ strengths and weaknesses will be considered to allow equal access for all and how each lesson will provide an opportunity for students to practice skills that contribute to good health.
Next Generation Science Standards and learning objectives to be used for each project.
Identify ways that the projects can be differentiated to support students with disabilities, ELL, gifted, early finishers, and students with 504 Plans.
Share examples of how families can promote science and health standards at home to help create a mutually respectful learning environment.
Title slide, presenter’s notes, and reference slide.
The digital presentation should include graphics that are relevant to the content, visually appealing, and use space appropriately.
Support your digital presentation with a minimum of two scholarly resources.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Importance of Science and Health Initiatives in Education
Slide 1: Welcome
Welcome to our presentation on the importance of science and health initiatives in education!
Our objectives for this session are:
To understand the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and how they are being taught in the classroom.
To compare your state’s science standards to the NGSS.
To explore potential science projects that integrate health.
To discuss ways to support students with disabilities, ELL, gifted, early finishers, and students with 504 Plans.
To provide examples of how families can promote science and health standards at home.
Slide 2: Overview of NGSS
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are a set of K-12 science education standards developed by a group of states, in collaboration with the National Research Council, the National Science Teachers Association, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
The NGSS focus on three dimensions of science learning: disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, and crosscutting concepts.
These standards aim to provide students with a deeper understanding of scientific concepts and promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Slide 3: Comparison of State’s Science Standards to NGSS
[State Name] adopted the NGSS in [Year].
The adoption of the NGSS allows for a more cohesive and standardized science curriculum across the state.
Compared to the previously adopted standards, the NGSS emphasize a more inquiry-based approach to learning and provide a framework for integrating scientific practices into the classroom.
Slide 4: Overview of State’s Health Standards
[State Name]’s adopted health standards focus on promoting overall well-being and educating students about various aspects of health, including physical, mental, and social well-being.
These standards aim to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to make healthy choices and lead a balanced lifestyle.
Slide 5: Integration of Science and Health Projects
Two potential science projects that integrate health:
Project 1: Investigating the Effects of Exercise on Heart Rate
Students will design an experiment to measure their heart rate before, during, and after exercise.
This project allows students to apply scientific methods while exploring the relationship between physical activity and heart health.
Project 2: Growing Healthy Plants in Different Environments
Students will investigate how different factors, such as light, water, and soil quality, affect plant growth.
This project combines scientific concepts with an understanding of the importance of plants for human health and the environment.
Slide 6: Next Generation Science Standards and Learning Objectives
Project 1: Investigating the Effects of Exercise on Heart Rate
NGSS Standard: MS-LS1-3 – Use argument supported by evidence for how the body is a system of interacting subsystems composed of groups of cells.
Learning Objective: Students will analyze data to draw conclusions about the relationship between exercise and heart rate.
Project 2: Growing Healthy Plants in Different Environments
NGSS Standard: 3-LS3-2 – Use evidence to support the explanation that traits can be influenced by the environment.
Learning Objective: Students will identify how different environmental factors impact plant growth and develop strategies to promote healthy plant growth.
Slide 7: Differentiation Strategies for Inclusive Classrooms
To support students with disabilities:
Provide accommodations such as visual aids, modified worksheets, or additional time for completing tasks.
To support English Language Learners (ELL):
Incorporate visual supports, use simplified language, and provide opportunities for peer collaboration.
To support gifted students:
Offer more challenging extensions or additional research opportunities related to the projects.
To support early finishers:
Provide enrichment activities or extension projects that allow them to delve deeper into the topics covered.
To support students with 504 Plans:
Ensure that accommodations outlined in their plans are implemented, such as preferential seating or modified assignments.
Slide 8: Promoting Science and Health at Home
Encourage families to:
Engage in hands-on science experiments or investigations at home.
Encourage physical activity and healthy eating habits.
Discuss health-related topics and encourage open communication about well-being.
Visit local museums or science centers to further explore scientific concepts.
Read books or watch documentaries related to science and health together as a family.
Slide 9: Conclusion
Science and health initiatives are essential at all grade levels to promote critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and overall well-being.
By understanding the Next Generation Science Standards and supporting these initiatives at home, we can create a mutually respectful learning environment that prepares students for success.
Thank you for attending this presentation!
Slide 10: References
Author’s Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of Article. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), Page Numbers. [Insert hyperlink if applicable]
Author’s Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of Book. Publisher. [Insert hyperlink if applicable]
