Kentucky Department of Education

 

Alternative Certification Projects
This program requires institutions of higher education and high-needs school districts to form partnerships to develop an Alternative Route to Certification Program for K-12 science and mathematics teachers who currently hold a bachelors degree but who may not be considered "highly qualified" for a science and/or mathematics teaching position under NCLB. ... More

 

Curriculum Documents for Science
Program of Studies Core Content for Assessment

 

Inquiry
Inquiry is the process scientists use to build an understanding of the natural world based on evidence.  Students can learn about the world using inquiry.  Although learners rarely discover knowledge that is new to humankind, current research indicates that when engaged in inquiry learners build knowledge new to themselves.

 

Kentucky Science and Engineering Fair (KY-SEF)
Attention all Middle and High School Teachers:  Please encourage and promote your students in conducting authentic research and projects for the Kentucky Science and Engineering Fair. KY-SEF's mission is "to expand educational opportunities for all middle school and high school students, and to enhance the visibility and importance of science and ... More

 

Kentucky Science Support Network
The Kentucky Science Support Network (KSSN) is designed to provide classroom teachers in Kentucky a direct link to "experts" across the Commonwealth. Teachers can select an area of expertise and instantly generate a list of contacts who are willing to provide content information, consultation on research/projects, and/or suggestions and information regarding ... More

 

Kentucky's Mathematics and Science Partnership Program
The Mathematics and Science Partnership (MSP) program is intended to increase the academic achievement of students in mathematics and science by enhancing the content knowledge and teaching skills of classroom teachers. Partnerships between high-need school districts and the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) faculty in institutions of higher education are ... More

 

Literacy and Science
With the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002, each of us feels a sense of urgency to dig deep into our instructional practices repertoire and pull out that overlooked strategy that will work for all our students and propel them into academic success. Unfortunately, there is no single such strategy ... More

 

Middle and High School Science Alliances
These alliances are to be professional learning communities involving all partners in the ongoing study of important conceptual and pedagogical issues facing middle and high school Science teachers. Content and pedagogy should be at the forefront, with alliances focusing on:- developing, implementing and revising units of study centered around  - the 7 Big ... More

 

Middle School Science Newsletters
The science consultants at the Kentucky Department of Education periodically publish newsletters for science teachers at specific grade levels. These newsletters are intended to serve a variety of purposes such as clarifying standards, communicating new research, highlighting quality instructional resources and sharing innovative teaching ideas. While most issues are customized for each specific ... More

 

Professional Organizations and Kentucky Resources
Professional Organizations and Kentucky Resources for science.

 

Science Facility Design
This section contains research-based information and suggestions for planning and designing science facilities.

 

Science Web Links
Links of interests for Science teachers and students.

 

Standards Based Units - Science
This standards-based unit, "The History and Nature of Science," was developed by the Kentucky Department of Education to introduce high school students to the idea of how scientists work and how to conduct experiments/investigations.  It was originally developed around the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair hosted by Kentucky in 2002, ... More

 

Teaching for Meaning
The National Research Council recently published How Students Learn Science in the Classroom, (2005).  The book focuses on three principles of learning that all teachers of science should understand and be able to implement in their classrooms in order to promote meaning-making or understanding: • Engaging Prior Understandings (See "Addressing Misconceptions" ... More

 

Tiered Mentor Cadres
The purpose of this program is to develop and sustain a cadre of K-8 science and mathematics Teacher Mentors that possess a strong content knowledge base and effective pedagogical skills. Teacher Mentors will work directly with university personnel and the Kentucky Department of Education to enhance their content knowledge through professional ... More