Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 5, February 29, 2024
(1)
Rationale. The middle-level
General Science program prepares teachers to use the Alabama Course of
Study: Science and other guides to provide instruction in science. The
standards build upon the Alabama Core Teaching Standards and are guided by
tenets of the Association for Middle Level Education.
(2)
Program Curriculum. In
addition to meeting Rules
290-3-3-.02(6)
(a) 1.-4.,
290-3-3-.02(6)
(e)1. and 2.(i) - (iii),
290-3-3-.03,
290-3-3-.04,
and
290-3-3-.07(1)
(a) 1. and (2), the program shall prepare
prospective middle-level general science teachers who demonstrate knowledge of
scientific and engineering practices; the crosscutting concepts of science; the
disciplinary core ideas of physical sciences, life sciences, and Earth and
space sciences; engineering, technology, and applications of science; the
history and nature of science; and science safety.
(a)
Scientific and Engineering
Practices. Prior to program completion, prospective teachers demonstrate
ability to:
1. Ask questions (science) and
define problems (engineering)/
2.
Develop and use models.
3. Plan and
carry out investigations.
4.
Analyze and interpret data.
5. Use
mathematics and computational thinking.
6. Construct explanations (science) and
design solutions (engineering).
7.
Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information.
8. Engage in argument based on
evidence.
(b)
Crosscutting Concepts. Prior to program completion, prospective
teachers demonstrate knowledge of:
1.
Patterns.
2. Cause and effect,
including mechanism and explanation.
3. Scale, proportion, and quantity.
4. Systems and system models.
5. Energy and matter, including flows,
cycles, and conservation.
6.
Structure and function.
7.
Stability and change.
(c)
Disciplinary Core Ideas.
Prior to program completion, prospective teachers demonstrate knowledge of:
1.
Physical
Sciences.
(i) Matter and its
interactions.
(ii)
Energy.
(iii) Motion and
stability.
(iv) Waves and their
applications in technologies for information transfer.
(v) The periodic table and how to use it to
predict the physical and chemical properties of elements.
(vi) Types of chemical bonding and the
composition of simple chemical compounds.
2.
Life Sciences.
(i) Basic structure and function of cells and
their organelles.
(ii) Basic cell
reproduction.
(iii) Basic
biochemistry of life.
(iv) Basic
genetics.
(v) Heredity.
(vi) Elements of hierarchical classification
schemes and the characteristics of the major groups of organisms.
(vii) Major structures and functions of plant
organisms and systems.
(viii) Basic
anatomy and physiology of animals, including structure and function of human
body systems and the major differences between humans and other
animals.
3.
Earth and Space Sciences.
(i) Physical and historical
geology.
(ii) Earth's place in the
universe.
(iii) Structure and
processes of Earth's oceans and other bodies of water.
(iv) Basic astronomy and meteorology,
including major factors that affect climate and seasons.
(v) How human activity impacts the Earth and
Earth's systems.
4.
Engineering, Technology, and the Applications of
Science.
(i) The nature and
history of science.
(ii)
Engineering design.
(iii) The
impact of science and technology on the environment, public health issues, and
society.
(iv) Major issues
associated with energy production and the management of natural
resources.
(v) Applications of
science and technology in daily life.
5.
Science Safety.
(i) Procedures for safe and correct storage,
use, care, and disposal of equipment, specimens, and materials.
(ii) How to ensure safety in the science
classroom and laboratory.
(4)
Science Instruction. Prior
to program completion, prospective teachers demonstrate ability to use the
Alabama Course of Study: Science and other guides to provide
research-based instruction so that students are able to:
1. Participate in opportunities for
investigation, observation, and explanation of a variety of scientific
phenomena.
2. Participate in
specific engineering design projects to:
(i)
Find answers regarding which components of a device change energy from one form
to another.
(ii) How wave patterns
can be used to transfer information.
(iii) How to limit the effects of harmful
natural Earth processes on human life.
(iv) Find answers regarding which methods can
be used to clean a polluted environment.
(v) How to modify the speed of a falling
object due to gravity.
(vi) Develop
their abilities to work in cooperative groups to design solutions to problems
encountered in the real world.
