WISCONSIN STANDARDS FOR Science WisconsinWisconsin Department Department ofof Public Public Instruction Instruction WISCONSIN STANDARDS FOR Science Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Carolyn Stanford Taylor, State Superintendent Madison, Wisconsin This publication is available from: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction 125 South Webster Street Madison, WI 53703 (608) 266-8960 http://dpi.wi.gov/science November 2017 Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, creed, age, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, marital status or parental status, sexual orientation, or ability and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups. Wisconsin Standards for Science ii Table of Contents Foreword ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... v Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... vi Section I: Wisconsin’s Approach to Academic Standards ........................................................................................................................... 1 Purpose of the Document ...................................................................................................................................................................... 2 What Are Academic Standards? .......................................................................................................................................................... 3 Relating the Academic Standards to All Students ......................................................................................................................... 4 Ensuring a Process for Student Success ........................................................................................................................................... 5 Section II: Wisconsin Standards for Science ...................................................................................................................................................... 7 What is Science Education? .................................................................................................................................................................. 8 Science Education in Wisconsin .......................................................................................................................................................... 8 Standards Structure ................................................................................................................................................................................ 10 Section III: Standards .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 18 Crosscutting Concepts .......................................................................................................................................................................... 19 Science and Engineering Practices .................................................................................................................................................... 26 Disciplinary Core Idea: Life Science ................................................................................................................................................... 49 Disciplinary Core Idea: Physical Science .......................................................................................................................................... 63 Disciplinary Core Idea: Earth and Space Science .......................................................................................................................... 78 Disciplinary Core Idea: Engineering, Technology, and the Application of Science (ETS) ................................................ 89 Section IV: Disciplinary Literacy: Literacy for Learning in Science ............................................................................................................. 103 What is Disciplinary Literacy? .............................................................................................................................................................. 104 Why is Disciplinary Literacy Important? .......................................................................................................................................... 104 Wisconsin Foundations for Disciplinary Literacy ......................................................................................................................... 106 What Research and Resources Are Available? .............................................................................................................................. 117 Wisconsin Standards for Science iii Foreword On November 13, 2017, I formally adopted the Wisconsin Standards for Science. This revised set of academic standards provides a foundational framework that identifies what students should know and be able to do in science. The adoption of the Wisconsin Standards for Science was part of a concerted effort led by Wisconsin educators and stakeholders who shared their expertise in science and teaching from kindergarten through higher education. The public and legislature provided feedback for the writing committee to consider as part of Wisconsin’s Academic Standards review and revision process. Science is an essential part of a comprehensive PK-12 education for all students. The knowledge, techniques, and citizenry skills gained through science education in Wisconsin schools support the overall goal of helping all students become college and career ready. Scientific literacy is a critical element of being able to make sense of the world around us, including the abundant information shared in our ever-changing world. The knowledge and skills described provide a framework with actionable indicators for science classroom experiences. The key goal of the standards is for students make sense of phenomena and solve problems using scientific content understanding, practices, and ways of thinking. Teaching content for the purpose of “covering” a set range of topics is not the intent of these standards; instead, as research suggests, students should be learning scientific ideas through deeply exploring scientific phenomena and solving culturally relevant, local problems. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction will continue to build on this work to support implementation of the standards with resources for the field. I am excited to share the Wisconsin Standards for Science, which aim to build science skills, knowledge, ways of thinking, and engagement opportunities for all Wisconsin students. Tony Evers, PhD State Superintendent Wisconsin Standards for Science iv Acknowledgements The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) wishes to acknowledge the ongoing work, commitment, and various contributions of individuals to revise our state’s academic standards for science. Thank you to the State Superintendent’s Standards Review Council for their work and guidance through the standards process. A special thanks to the Science Writing Committee for taking on this important project that will shape the classrooms of today and tomorrow. Thanks to the many staff members across the division and other teams at DPI who have contributed their time and talent to this project. Finally, a special thanks to Wisconsin educators, businesspeople, parents, and citizens who provided comment and feedback to drafts of these standards. Wisconsin Standards for Science Writing Team Co-Chairs: Eric Brunsell, Associate Professor, UW–Oshkosh; Chief Operations Officer, WI Society of Science Teachers Christine Pratt, Coordinator of Science, Kenosha Unified SD DPI Liaison: Kevin J. B. Anderson, Science Education Consultant, Teaching and Learning Sarah Adumat Becca Franzen Karen Mesmer Patti Schaefer Oshkosh Area SD UW-Stevens Point Independent Consultant Madison Metropolitan SD David Bergerson Jay Garvey Shah Emily Miller Hope Schultz WI Rapids Public Schools Sun Prairie SD UW–Madison Promega Tony Borden Adam Keeton Kevin Niemi Robert Shannon Lakeland Union HS Eau Claire Area SD UW–Madison and WSST Edgewood HS Juan Botella Ryan King Dennis Rohr Jennifer Wilfrid Monona Grove HS Waunakee Area SD Seymour SD and WESTA WCER and WIDA Kathy Cady Annie Kotenberg Rochelle Sandrin Winneconne HS Oshkosh Corporation Milwaukee Public Schools Faith Fitzpatrick Mike LeDocq Kaleb Santy USGS Water Sciences Western Technical College Pulaski SD Wisconsin Standards for Science v Department of Public Instruction, Academic Standards • John W. Johnson, Director, Literacy and Mathematics, and Director for Academic Standards • Meri Annin, Lead Visual Communications Designer • Marci Glaus, Strategic Communications Consultant • David McHugh, Strategic Planning and Professional Learning Consultant Department of Public Instruction Leaders • Sheila Briggs, Assistant State Superintendent, Division of Academic Excellence • Emilie Amundson, Chief of Staff, Office of the State Superintendent • Scott Jones, Special Assistant, Office of the State