Making new science books dynamic. (Curriculum update: the latest developments in math, science, language arts and social studies).When an American Association for the Advancement of Science American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), private organization devoted to furthering the work of scientists and improving the effectiveness of science in the promotion of human welfare. study described science textbooks as "full of disconnected facts that neither educate nor motivate," there wasn't much the education community to celebrate. But a new Center for Curriculum Materials in Science is working on a turnaround. A five-year, $9.9 million National Science Foundation grant is funding the center, which partners AAAS's Project 2061 with the University of Michigan (body, education) University of Michigan - A large cosmopolitan university in the Midwest USA. Over 50000 students are enrolled at the University of Michigan's three campuses. The students come from 50 states and over 100 foreign countries. , Northwestern University Northwestern University, mainly at Evanston, Ill.; coeducational; chartered 1851, opened 1855 by Methodists. In 1873 it absorbed Evanston College for Ladies. and Michigan State University Michigan State University, at East Lansing; land-grant and state supported; coeducational; chartered 1855. It opened in 1857 as Michigan Agricultural College, the first state agricultural college. . The project aims to: * Develop a cadre of experts in curriculum research and development. Graduate science education programs will now cover analysis, design and use of materials. The Chicago, Detroit and Lansing school districts will implement in-service professional development. * Create and guide curriculum materials development. Local and national Knowledge Sharing Institutes will bring together teachers, researchers and commercial curriculum developers. Involving vendors as partners is "the one thing that I think will set this project apart from past ones," says Mary Koppal, communications director at AAAS AAAS American Association for the Advancement of Science. . www.sciencematerials center.org |
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