Schecher’s new middle school science curriculum is at the forefront of science education in the U.S.

“By the end of 12th grade, all students should have some appreciation of the beauty and wonder of science, the capacity to discuss and think critically about science-related issues, and the skills to pursue careers in science or engineering if they want to do so.”
                         -- National Research Council Report

This is one of the conclusions of a new report released on July 19, 2011 by the National Research Council (NRC), the operating arm of the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering. The report presented a new framework for K-12 science education that identifies the key scientific ideas and practices all students should learn by the end of high school. The framework will serve as the foundation for new K-12 science education standards, to replace those issued more than a decade ago.

Schecher’s new science curriculum, Investigating and Questioning Our World through Science and Technology (IQWST), funded by the National Science Foundation, is leading the way. Two years ago, Schechter was selected as one of only several schools in the country to pilot the project.

The collaborative initiative is led by the University of Michigan's Center for Highly Interactive Classrooms, Curricula and Computing in Education and Northwestern University, in partnership with Michigan State University, Columbia University, the University of Illinois, and Project 2061.

“We are at the forefront of science education in the U.S,” says Dr. Karin Klein, Sager Middle School science teacher, speaking on behalf of the middle school science team, which also includes Suzy Hakimian, Paula Lange, and Diane Opensky. “Being able to provide our students with science instruction that will give them a real head start in high school and college courses is very rewarding.  And most students have a lot of fun with the activities and learning that go on in the classroom.” 

“We in IQWST are very excited by this new framework,” says Professor Brian J. Reiser, who was instrumental in developing the program. “The main guiding principles in this framework are, in fact, what we have focused on in developing IQWST, and what we think makes IQWST stand out from other approaches to teaching middle school science.”

“Students learn core science concepts in depth and then build on and add to their understanding and content knowledge throughout middle school by revisiting ideas as they grow and learn,” says Dr. Klein. “Complex scientific ideas such as energy and the nature of matter cannot be taught in a single chapter of a textbook or a single unit -- they require revisiting in different contexts, making connections to other concepts, and building deeper and deeper understanding across time.” 

The new NRC guidelines also call for more teaching and learning of scientific practices.  In IQWST, students gain knowledge by designing and conducting experiments in a guided fashion and then sharing and discussing their results.  As they learn concepts in this way, their ability to think critically, analyze data, and conduct experiments grows substantially over their three years in middle school. 

“We are so excited about the IQWST program,” says Holly Rosenberg, Sager Middle School Principal. “It is wonderful to be able to offer our students this opportunity to learn science now the way that the rest of the country will be learning science in future years. We have heard very positive things from area high schools about how prepared IQWST students are to succeed in high school science classes."

“As a scientist, I am very impressed with the way the program is put together scientifically,” adds Dr. Klein.  “It teaches all the right things.  But my favorite thing about the curriculum is that it not only teaches scientific facts, it also teaches students to think scientifically – to analyze complex information thoughtfully.  This ability to think and analyze extends into their other classes.  I have had more than one Bible and Rabbinics teacher tell me that they see a difference in the students’ ability to analyze texts and talk about what they’re thinking.  It just makes them better thinkers.  And that will be an advantage no matter what they pursue.”

According to Dr. Lena Kushnir, Sager Elementary School Principal, the fundamental principles that drive IQWST in the middle school are the same principles that drive Schechter's elementary school science program. "Meaningful discourse, active inquiry, and deep investigations are preparing our students for middle school and beyond," says Kushnir.