Teaching Science in Elementary and Middle School ― A Project-based Learning Approach

Teaching Science in Elementary and Middle School integrates principles of learning and motivation with practical teaching ideas for implementing them. Paralleling what scientists do, project-based learning (PBL) represents the essence of inquiry and the nature of science, and engages children and teachers in investigating meaningful, real-world questions about the world around them. This text provides concrete strategies on teaching using a project-based approach and on meeting the principles in A Framework for K–12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Features include strategies for planning long-term, interdisciplinary, student-centered units; scenarios to help readers situate new experiences; and a wealth of supplementary material on the Companion Website.

Features in the Fifth Edition:

• Integrates research-based findings from the National Research Council’s Taking Science to School and A Framework for K–12 Science Education as well as the NGSS to engage learners and help them make sense of phenomena in using disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, and crosscutting concepts
• Gives attention to cultural diversity throughout the chapters, with an added focus on working with English Language Learners
• Describes how to develop and use assessments that require students to make use of their knowledge to solve problems or explain phenomena
• Illustrates how to use PBL to make connections to Common Core Standards for Mathematics and English Language Arts
• Provides examples of project-based lessons and projects to illustrate how teachers can support children in engaging in scientific and engineering practices, such as asking questions, designing investigations, constructing models, and developing evidence-based explanation

Joseph S. Krajcik is the Lappan-Phillips Professor of Science Education and Director of the Institute for Collaborative Research in Education, Assessment and Teaching Environments for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (CREATE for STEM) at Michigan State University, USA.

Charlene M. Czerniak is Distinguished University Professor of Science Education at the University of Toledo, USA.