Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Spring 2018

Keywords

Next Generation Science Standards, Environmental education, SEA Discovery Center

Abstract

With the adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards, schools opting for early adoption are fundamentally changing their science instruction. Synergistically, the environmental education community is also adopting these new 3-dimensional standards. The purpose of our study was to work with Western Washington University’s new SEA Discovery Center in Poulsbo, WA to develop an NGSS aligned 6th grade curriculum centered on Olympia Oyster restoration. The place-based curriculum would need to utilize the Center’s unique resources while addressing relevant environmental education programming goals. During the summer of 2017 we met with a variety of stakeholders including the SEA Discovery director, Center volunteers and scientists specializing in oyster restoration. As a planning team, we developed a curriculum and piloted it during a summer youth camp. Upon completion of the pilot program we submitted a final curriculum to the SEA Discovery Center for implementation during the 2017-2018 school year. Through this process we learned that curriculum development is a complicated and fluid progression requiring constant feedback and revision that includes all stakeholders in an iterative design process.

Sponsorship/Conference/Institution

Scholars Week 2018

Location

Western Washington University

Subjects - Topical (LCSH)

Environmental education--Curricula--Washington (State); Next Generation Science Standards (Education)--Washington (State)

Geographic Coverage

Washington (State)

Genre/Form

student projects; term papers

Type

Text

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.

Language

English

Format

application/pdf

Share

COinS