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Maine Learning Results. Maine’s current science and engineering standards were signed into law on April 19, 2019. Maine adopted the Next Generation Science Standards. The Science Department at Winslow High School has been adjusting the science curriculum to reflect these new standards. Part of that work has included a shift from the traditional sequencing of lessons to teaching through storylines.
STORYLINES
"A storyline is a coherent sequence of lessons, in which each step is driven by students' questions that arise from their interactions with phenomena. A student's goal should always be to explain a phenomenon or solve a problem. At each step, students make progress on the classroom's questions through science and engineering practices, to figure out a piece of a science idea. Each piece they figure out adds to the developing explanation, model, or designed solution. Each step may also generate questions that lead to the next step in the storyline. Together, what students figure out helps explain the unit's phenomena or solve the problems they have identified. A storyline provides a coherent path toward building disciplinary core idea and crosscutting concepts, piece by piece, anchored in students' own questions."
WHAT MAKES A STORYLINE DIFFERENT FROM JUST A SEQUENCE OF LESSONS?
"Often the importance of a particular problem or idea is clear to the teacher, but not to the students. For example, the teacher knows how learning about the cell will help with important biological questions; but for students, they are learning about cells because that's the title of the current chapter in the textbook. The teacher may know how a particular chemistry experiment will teach students something about conservation of matter; but to the students, they are doing the experiment because they are following the directions. In a storyline, students should be involved in co-constructing the question we are working on, and should see the activity as helping make progress on that question. In a storyline, the coherence is from the students' perspective, not just the teacher's."
Quote from https://www.nextgenstorylines.org/what-are-storylines at https://www.nextgenstorylines.org/
While storylines have not replaced all traditional curriculum, they are being added and worked into classes over the course of time and students are benefiting!
Unified Science
Unified Science 1
This class will cover the following topics using hands-on practical activities and applications: the role of science in society, human influences on Earth's systems, and the biodiversity of organisms and cycles of matter.
Biology
Honors Biology on Earth
This course presents the nature and meaning of discoveries and principles of biology via storylines. This course involves discussions, laboratory exercises and investigations, and practical applications. Subject areas covered include: ecosystem interactions and dynamics, matter and energy, inheritance and variation of traits, evolution of populations, common ancestry, biotechnology, and biodiversity. A research project based on genetics is a requirement of this course.
CP Biology on Earth
This course presents the nature and meaning of discoveries and principles of biology via storylines. This course involves discussions, lab exercises, investigations, and practical applications. Subject areas covered include: ecosystem interactions and dynamics, matter and energy, inheritance and variation of traits, evolution of populations, common ancestry, biotechnology, and biodiversity.
Human Biology
(Concurrent Enrollment KVCC BIO 115/Human Biology)
This course will cover all of the organ systems of the human body as well as tissues and cells. Emphasis would also be placed on diseases associated with organ systems. It is designed for students considering careers in the medical field such as nursing or medical technology.
AP Biology
(Concurrent Enrollment KVCC BIO 101)
Advanced Placement Biology is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course. The two main goals of AP Biology are to help students develop a conceptual framework for modern biology and to help students gain an appreciation of science as a process. The three main areas covered are molecules and cells, heredity and evolution, and organisms and populations. It is a fast-paced course and students should expect to spend a significant amount of time outside of class working on assignments. Students are strongly encouraged to take the AP exam offered in May. Strong performance on this exam may earn them college credits. AP Exams require a fee to be paid by the family. Families who meet financial eligibility guidelines will receive financial support. Any family concerned about paying for AP exam fees should consult with their student's counselor.
Chemistry
Honors Chemistry of the Solar System
This course will use storylines to cover the following topics: thermodynamics in Earth's systems, structure and properties of matter, molecular processes in Earth's systems, chemical reactions in the world, and energy from chemical and nuclear reactions. Modeling, research, and design will be incorporated throughout the curriculum. Students will be expected to complete work and discuss their ideas at a rigorous pace and will receive additional articles and assignments that relate to the topics.
CP Chemistry of the Solar System
This course will use storylines to cover the following topics: thermodynamics in Earth's systems, structure and properties of matter, molecular processes in Earth's systems, chemical reactions in the world, and energy from chemical and nuclear reactions. Modeling, research, and design will be incorporated throughout the curriculum.
Honors Chemistry II
The organization and goals of this rigorous chemistry course place emphasis on both theoretical and practical aspects. The course deals with the structure and composition of matter and the changes that matter undergoes. The laboratory work is quantitative in nature and, therefore, requires complex mathematical skills.
Physics
Honors Physics of the Universe
Storylines will be used to cover the following topics in this course: energy flow from Earth's systems, energy, forces, and Earth's crust, collisions and momentum, meteors, orbits and gravity, electromagnetic radiation and stars, and the Big Bang Modeling, research, and engineering design will be incorporated throughout the curriculum. This course has a larger focus on mathematical modeling and note-taking in preparation for college courses.
CP Physics of the Universe
Storylines will be used to cover the following topics in this course: energy flow from Earth's systems, energy, forces, and Earth's crust, collisions and momentum, meteors, orbits and gravity, electromagnetic radiation and stars, and the Big Bang Modeling, research, and engineering design will be incorporated throughout the curriculum.
CP Physics
(Concurrent Enrollment KVCC PHY 111/Elements of Physics)
This course provides an introduction to the basic principles of physics. Students gain an understanding of mechanics, heat, and thermodynamics. Emphasis is placed on laboratory work, problem solving, and applications to everyday life situations. A large emphasis is also placed on study habits, improving mathematical ability through real-world applications, and basic mechanical theory. Subjects such as light, electricity, and waves will also be included.
AP Physics 1
This course is designed for students planning on selecting a challenging major in college, including science, engineering, pre-med, and computer science. A large emphasis is placed on study habits and developing good habits for college work. Topics covered are: kinematics, work, power, energy, momentum, optics, electrical theory, and the place of science in society. Students are strongly encouraged to take the AP exam offered in May. Strong performance on this exam may earn them college credits. AP Exams require a fee to be paid by the family. Families who meet financial eligibility guidelines will receive financial support. Any family concerned about paying for AP exam fees should consult with their student's counselor.
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