Participating in the Change in Education for Alberta- Possible Learning Outcomes for Science

Currently Alberta educators are embarking on a process to change the system of education to better meet the needs of the learners of today for tomorrow. Given this task, the Calgary Board of Education is in a process assembling the thoughts and ideas of all stakeholders about what this future will look like. We are engaged in a design process which involves the sharing of ideas, conversing about what matters in teaching and learning, and attempting to capture the essence of what is possible for future curriculum documents. Documents which: are dynamic not static; are flexible not ridged; will better ensure that students acquire the skills they need for their future.

I recently participated in a Curriculum Prototyping - Outcomes - Math and Science meeting to address what would be the overarching learning focus for students in a science classroom and what are some possible learning outcomes that we might put forward to guide the teaching and learning for the future science classes.
The idea of what a student should know after being taught science throughout their schooling re-emerged for me during a Science/Math system Learning Leaders meeting. Marina Clark, Science Specialist for the Calgary Board of Education, shared with the group a conversation that she had with a local Geologist about what he thought kids should know after they leave school. His idea was that students should understand the concept: “The earth is old and has seen great change.” Embedded within this statement are years of study and numerous topics to be explored, many of which are interconnected between other disciplines. It was this statement that sparked me to reflect on what I would want my three young children to know about and from science after they left school.

There I sit on a couch, my children just put to bed, and I begin reflect inspired during my meeting that day. My wife, Laura (who also happens to be a science teacher) and I start to throw around some of the big ideas which we felt make up the core of science. Here is our list:

Possible Learning Outcomes for the Future Science Curriculum:

1.       All life on Earth is interconnected.

2.       The sun is the source of energy for all life on Earth.

3.       Science is a clearly defined process subject to interpretation.

4.       Technology and science are deeply interconnected.

5.       Science uses language, symbols, mathematics and diagrams to communicate our current understanding of our world.

6.       Science involves manipulate skills.

7.       Living organisms are structured in complex and interconnected systems.

8.       Our understanding of our world has changed greatly and continues to change as new information emerges.

9.       Science is compelling in its predictive power as a result of its theories and laws.

10.   All matter is made of tiny particles which have characteristic and uncharacteristic behaviour.

11.   The earth is old and has seen great change.

 I brought forward these ideas that Curriculum Prototyping- Outcomes meeting. It was very powerful to have the opportunity to engage in conversation with others about their thoughts and ideas. The list that Laura and generated became the starting point for the conversation. Upon reflection and through our conversation numerous modifications to the outcomes became apparent. In addition, new thoughts arose such as: how science is about finding the connections between ideas that were not connected before; there are ethical considerations which students need to be aware which the field of science wrestles with daily; and careers in science are everywhere around us. Concerns were brought forward about maintaining the integrity of the discipline. Finally, six learning focuses emerged from the list: 1. process, 2. change, 3. energy, 4. interconnections, 5. structure and functions and 6. systems/organization. Clearly, we had just begun.

 Having the opportunity to engage in this type of conversation was powerful, thought provoking, and at the heart of what a future vision of education is about. I would encourage everyone to participate in such conversations, ensuring that the voice of Alberta teachers, the wisdom of the profession, is shared with Alberta Education. It is of the utmost importance that we support, through the sharing of our thoughts, idea and comments, Alberta Education’s effort to best prepare our students for their future.