Science+GRAD+at+GRADuation

Science Grad at Grad The Science Department strives to achieve scientific literacy for all its students and ignite their natural curiosity to be better thinkers and citizens. We teach the big understandings, skills and attitudes that enables students to leave campus to pursue more science or to rely on a strong foundation of science strive to better understand their world.

=Three areas:=
 * 1) ===CONTENT - What the student should know. (Mind)===
 * 2) ===SKILLS - What the student should be able to do. (Body)===
 * 3) ===APPRECIATION/VALUE - Why the student should care. (Soul)===

1. CONTENT 1. Scientifically literate 2. Big Understandings 3. Basic Knowledge 4. Relevant facts 5. Key concepts 6. Important Models 7. Major theories and laws 8. Global cycles and systems 9. Matter and energy principles 10. Unity and diversity of life 11. Discoveries, Technology, Challenges, Issues, Impacts and role of Science 12. Energy and transformations 13. Light 14. Electricity 15. Classic mechanics 16. Matter 17. Quantum mechanics 18. Subatomic particles 19. Atoms, Molecules, Compounds 20. Physical & Chemical Changes 21. Energy flow & Matter cycling in living systems 22. Inheritance 23. Cells, Structure and Function 24. Evolution, Natural Selection 25. Ecosystems and Environmental Challenges (nature and man-made) 26. Energy sources for human use

2. Skills/Processes (Questioning, Observing, Measuring, Predicting, Classifying) 1. Questioning 2. Observing 3. Measuring 4. Reasonably Predict 5. Classifying 6. Analyze 7. Synthesize 8. Approach and set up a problem (experimental design) 9. Critically think 10. Collect, evaluate and organize quantitative data 11. Seek out evidence to support answer 12. Evaluate sources critically 13. Find and communicate error 14. Construct and defend argument using scientific evidence 15. Abstract thinking 16. Can decipher science from pseudo-science and articulate pseudo-religion (eg. ID & spiritualism) 17. Exercise objectivity and recognize bias, even their own 18. Inquisitive 19. Self-directed, can follow their own curiosity and begin to find answers 20. Take action toward applying lessons learned about individual health and local and global sustainability 21. Exercises healthy skepticism, evaluates statements empirically and changes views as facts change 22. Open to consider different points of view 23. Enjoy science 24. Works collaboratively 25. Can articulate science content, skills and values 26. Communicates questions and plan to answer them clearly 27. Can do independent research 28. Can develop a systematic approach to testing a problem 29. Can recognize new/relevant opportunities to apply what they have learned (transfer learning) 30. Use appropriate statistical tools intelligently (Mean, median, normal distribution, standard deviation). 31. Should be able to filter out obvious bias (false data and faulty experimental design error & fallacious (non-deductive) conclusions. 32. Communicate through a variety of media  33. Apply mathematics to determine patterns in nature or data

3. VALUE/Appreciation/Attitude goals 1. Appreciate science. 2. Desire to understand the working of self and nature 3. Science is something you //do// 4. Science is //a way// of knowing 5. The is no single scientific method (i.e. the experimental method) 6. Science is empirically-based, tentative, the product of observation and inference and creative thinking, and subjective to a degree 7. Know three common myths of science a. Science produces absolute knowledge: “Truth” (false) b. The “Scientific Method” (false) c. Laws are proven theories (false) 8. Science is influence by social and cultural context 9. There are competing theories and answers in Science 10. Faith and Science domains (one attempts to answer //why// and the other to explain //how//) 11. Understand the strengths and limits of the scientific endeavor 12. Develop curiosity and enhance natural sense of wonder 13. Understand what science is not 14. Strengthen interest in science and feed those that have a passion for Science 15. See connectedness of the world and appreciate common ancestry 16. Have good perspective of role of science to self and society 17. Applications and relevance on human health 18. Applications and relevance on environmental and societal heath and impacts 19. Humans are a part of nature; no apart from nature 20. Appreciate the complexity of our bodies, how to care for it and how it affects others globally and locally 21. Biophilia 22. Exploring the way the word works is FUN 23. Science is for all 24. The importance of knowing what you don’t know 25. There are no right answers in science, just approximations of right 26. Future is dependent on science and our country can continue to lead by being a leader in science (i.e. jobs, education, & solving major problems) 27. I can make a difference by being scientifically literate