Science Department Meeting Minutes

11-14-07

 

  1. Curriculum Council Update
    1. New way to post minutes
    2. LA dept. is dividing benchmarks
    3. LA wants a consistent definition of plagiarism
    4. Span. III students teaching K/1
    5. PD money is available to departments- see draft form
    6. Content exams (below)
  2. Discussed NSTA conference
    1. Shared highlights
    2. Did a LabQuest demo
  3. Discussed K-7 GLCEÕs
    1. Status

                                               i.     Slated for December approval from SBoE

                                             ii.     Were presented to SBoE last week

                                            iii.     Roll out in January or February 2008

    1. Implementation to follow
  1. Discussed 8th grade science
    1. Reviewed Pre-requisite knowledge and Ò1Ó codes (handout)
    2. Decided to wait until GLCEÕs are rolled out before making a final decision on what 8th grade science will look like

                                               i.     1 possibility is 8th grade MEAP review followed by integration of Ò1Ó codes into pre-requisite knowledge

                                             ii.     Still unsure about exactly what expectations will be taught; department wants to focus on getting students more prepared for high school science courses

                                            iii.     K-7 GLCEÕs will help department better identify expectations for reinforcement

                                            iv.     8th grade teachers will look over pre-requisite knowledge and Ò1Ó codes and have a discussion about what 8th grade science might look like

  1. Discussed 9-12 content exam/assessments
    1. All high school teachers are be working on development of one aligned to MMC and use as final exam (if class is covered by MMC)
    2. Only math has state written test

                                               i.     State by law required to develop, but may not due to budget

                                             ii.     ACT has option but very expensive

  1. Other: shared information about CMU museum of natural history, shared availability of portable star lab from the SMTC