Category Archives: STEM

New article: Qianruo Shen’s “Integrated Curriculum Reform and its Impact on Science Education — Why is the West Falling Behind East Asia in PISA and TIMSS?”

Abstract: This paper investigates why western nations underperform in PISA and TIMSS compared to East Asia and explores the root causes of the decline in science education. By analyzing TIMSS data and comparing the science curricula and teacher qualifications in … Continue reading

Posted in constructivism, Curriculum & Instruction, Education policy, International Tests, K-12, Mathematics, Qianruo Shen, science, STEM | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Comments on Zearn’s “Myth of the Math Kid”

https://time.com/7008332/math-kid-myth-essay/ I really find these kinds of articles tiresome, because the accusations or “myths” as expressed by Shalinee Sharma, are assumptions made by people who are generalizing about all math teaching in order to peddle their programs. The first myth … Continue reading

Posted in Curriculum & Instruction, Education journalism, Joye Walker, K-12, math, Mathematics, STEM | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Iowa Academic Standards Hold Teachers Hostage

By Joye Walker I retired more than a year ago, giving me many months to process the discomfort I felt in my last few years of teaching. It was a difficult time for many reasons, but one big reason stands … Continue reading

Posted in Common Core, Curriculum & Instruction, Joye Walker, K-12, math, Mathematics, STEM | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Response to John Merrow’s advocacy of Project-based Learning

John Merrow has started a series of posts advocating project based learning. I just posted the following to his website: Project-Based Learning, part two John, It’s disappointing to see you disparaging the teaching of factual information: “I also endorsed project-based learning … Continue reading

Posted in constructivism, Curriculum & Instruction, Education journalism, Erich Martel, K-12, science, STEM | Leave a comment

New “science and society” podcast

ANNOUNCING: Critically Speaking, a new podcast series hosted by Therese Markow, who writes:       ” … we separate facts from fallacies at the intersection of science and society. “Every day we make decisions that affect our own lives, … Continue reading

Posted in Curriculum & Instruction, Education journalism, Education policy, Higher Education, Richard P. Phelps, STEM, Wayne Bishop | Leave a comment

Mathematics and Science Courses Required or Recommended for Admission into Engineering and Engineering Technology Programs at Massachusetts Institutions of Higher Education (2003)

https://nonpartisaneducation.org/Review/Resources/MassMathEngReqs.htm This survey of the high school mathematics and science requirements for admission to the 11 colleges of engineering in Massachusetts in 2003 provides interesting facts in Tables 3 and 4. It is no longer clear if the required coursework … Continue reading

Posted in College prep, Curriculum & Instruction, Mathematics, Sandra Stotsky, STEM | Leave a comment