| STC/MS Overview
Summary of Modules
STC/MS Staff
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Science and Technology Concepts for Middle Schools (STC/MS) is an
8-module, inquiry-centered, middle school science curriculum developed by the National Science Resources Center (NSRC). Each STC/MS
module provides opportunities for students to experience scientific
phenomena firsthand. A comprehensive, research-based curriculum, STC/MS is
aligned with the National Science
Education Standards (NSES) of the National
Research Council (NRC).
The STC/MS program builds on the skills and knowledge developed in
the Science and Technology for Children (STC)
curriculum, with content balanced among the life sciences, earth sciences,
physical sciences, and technology. Each module was developed by teachers,
scientists, and evaluators and is field-tested in urban, suburban, and
rural classrooms nationwide. The materials were professionally evaluated
and reviewed by an advisory panel of teachers, scientists, and science
educators before publication. Everything that the teacher and students
need�a teacher�s guide, student guides, and the equipment and
materials for a class of 32�is included in the module kit.
The STC/MS modules include:
- Catastrophic Events
- Energy, Machines, and Motion
- Human Body Systems
- Properties of Matter
- Organisms - From Macro to Micro
- Earth in Space
- Light
- Electrical Energy and Circuit Design
The modules can be sequenced for 2 one-year courses, each year
consisting of a module from each of the 4 science/technology strands, or
as 4 one-semester courses for earth science, life science, physical
science, and technology. The STC/MS program materials include
assessment components, suggestions for the use of educational technology,
and reading selections to broaden student learning.
Each STC/MS module is based on a 4-stage learning cycle that is
grounded in educational research and practice.
- First, students focus on what they already know about a
topic.
- Next, students explore a scientific phenomenon or concept,
following a well-structured sequence of classroom investigations.
- Third, students reflect on their observations, record them in
science journals, draw conclusions, and share their findings with
others.
- Finally, students apply their learning to real-life
situations and to other areas of the curriculum.
STC/MS Teacher�s Guides: Each STC/MS teacher�s guide
contains a matrix showing the alignment of that module�s content to the
NSES content standards for grades 5 to 8. How the module correlates to
other aspects of the national standards (the history of science, personal
and social perspectives, etc.) is addressed as well. In addition, the
teacher�s guides provide background material on science and pedagogy,
guidance on the preparation and setup of kit materials, and detailed
instructions for facilitating classroom science investigations. They also
include master copies of student record sheets and other materials,
suggestions for relating science to other areas of the curriculum, and
assessment strategies.
STC/MS Student Guides: Reusable student guides contain
background information, step-by-step instructions that guide students
through their classroom inquiries, reading selections, and safety tips.
STC/MS Kits: Each STC/MS module kit contains all of the
equipment and materials needed to present the module to five classes of 32
students. Refurbishing kits for the consumable materials in the module
kits will be available from Carolina.
All 8 STC/MS™ modules: Human Body Systems; Properties
of Matter; Catastrophic Events; Energy, Machines,
and Motion; Organisms—From Macro to Micro; Earth in
Space; Light; and Electrical Energy and Circuit Design
are now available.
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