By: Kendall Hunt
BSCS Biology and Kendall Hunt are teaming up to announce the next generation in a line of BSCS Biology programs: BSCS Biology: Understanding for Life. This newest addition in science offerings addresses the requirements of a changing discipline while simultaneously providing classrooms with accessible curricula that triggers an interest in science.
Designed with the goal of aiding students to make well-informed and well-reasoned decisions in all aspects of their lives, Understanding for Life utilizes real-world problem applications and teachings to provide students with robust research and inquisitive skills.
ABOUT UNDERSTANDING FOR LIFE Understanding for Life curriculum allows students to explore and conduct investigations on topics that are meaningful to them, enabling students to develop a deeper understanding of life science that will serve them for life. Real-world phenomena and challenges motivate learning of scientific concepts and practices, which is why this newest offering’s four units focus on human health and sustainability of human and ecological systems. A breakdown of the units can be found below:
Understanding for Life places an emphasis on collaboration and cooperative learning which provides students with increased accountability for self-learning and group work based on their own scientific habits of mind, interests, and research discoveries. Additionally, the program provides support for educators to simply and successfully implement the curriculum. Understanding for Life prepares students for a lifetime of scientific discovery and understanding.
ABOUT THE NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS Understanding for Life advances the mission of BSCS to transform science teaching and learning through research-driven innovation by integrating the three-dimensional disciplinary shifts called for in the latest Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
The NGSS is a state-wide initiative within the United States to develop new education standards that are “"rich in content and practice, arranged in a coherent manner across disciplines and grades to provide all students an internationally benchmarked science education." These standards of performance expectations are “Science and Engineering Practices,” “Crosscutting Concepts,” and “Disciplinary Core Ideas,” and they set the expectation for what science students of each grade level should learn and understand.
Within the Understanding for Life curricula, teachers can expect to encounter the rigor and inquiry that is anticipated from BSCS content combined with the three pillars of performance expectations specified in the NGSS. This high-school biology program presents inquiry-based, research-driven curriculum that has been designed specifically to address the disciplinary shifts called for in the NGSS.
BSCS & KENDALL HUNT PARTNERSHIP Kendall Hunt is a publisher with a 75 year history of providing innovative educational solutions, and BSCS is an independent non-profit organization that is dedicated to transforming science education through research-driven innovation. By working together to meet the needs of teachers and students, BSCS and Kendall Hunt have expanded the availability of standards-aligned science course content and supported educators in the successful implementation of curricula in classrooms across the country.
IN CLOSING Understanding for Life is ready for implementation now through a staged release process during the 2021-22 school year. Develop collaboration skills, understanding of life science, and a love of scientific discovery in your students through this latest addition to the BSCS line of biology programs.
If you would like to learn more about how to incorporate Understanding for Life in your classroom, visit our product page here or contact your local sales representative.
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