Science in DPS

Consistent with Detroit Public Schools’ commitment to excellence in education, the Office of Scientific Studies and the Detroit Mathematics and Science Center are dedicated to the advancement of Scientific and Mathematical literacy for all students.

We provide all of our students with:

• A rigorous learning environment that uses data to assess designed curriculum that is aligned to state and national standards with accompanying assessment, active engagement through inquiry based learning, and highly qualified teachers.
• A relevant learning environment utilizing integrated technology to enhance the delivery of content and student understanding in a rich real world context.
• An engaging learning environment that fosters and nurtures symbiotic relationships between students, staff, families, and community partners, as well as, connecting the classroom experiences to everyday events and career options.

Science Related Student Programs

• A World In Motion  (K-6)
• Detroit Area Pre College Engineering Program
• Detroit Children’s Museum (K-6 Title I funded trips/loaning kits)
• Family Science and Engineering Events
• Future City (6-8)
• Recycling
• Robotics
• Science Fair (Science and Engineering Fair of Metro Detroit for grades 6-12)
• STEAM after school program (Science Technology Engineering Arts & Mathematics)
• You Be the Chemist (5-8)

 

 

Curriculum

Grades 1-8: Curriculum for grades 1-8 are designed as integrated science courses to include physical science, life science, and earth science aligned to the Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations (GLCE).  Teachers are encouraged to utilize technology, science equipment, and provide hands on experiences as they teach science.  Middle schools may also offer a DAPCEP (Detroit Pre College Engineering) class if they have a qualified DAPCEP teacher on staff.

• Science Grade Level Content Expectations

High school: The standard high school science courses are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Earth Science, which are aligned to the High School Content Expectations (HSCE).  Science electives available in the district include:  Forensics, Robotics, and Environmental Science.  Additionally schools may offer a variety of Advanced Placement (AP) courses which allow students to receive college credit if they pass the AP Exam with a qualifying score.

• Biology High School Content Expectations
• Chemistry High School Content Expectations
• Earth Science High School Content Expectations
• Physics High School Content Expectations
• Biology Priority Expectations
• Chemistry Priority Expectations
• Earth Science Priority Expectations
• Physics Priority Expectations

 

Student Science requirements

According to the graduation requirements for the state of Michigan, students must complete the following courses in high school:

• Biology
• Chemistry OR Physics
• 1 other Science course

In order to have a more robust college application, it is the recommendation of the Office of Science that high school students go beyond the minimal graduation requirement and take four years of Science, which should include at least 1 Advanced Placement course.  This can possibly give an advantage when applying to colleges, or to the workforce.

Additionally, with the current focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), it is strongly recommended that students participate in an after school or weekend science enrichment program such as DAPCEP (Detroit Pre College Engineering Program), Robotics, Environmental Science Club, or the Science and Engineering Fair of Metro Detroit.

 

Additional services for students

• Community partnerships
• Science Fair support
• Coordination of student programs related to Science such as You Be the Chemist, Green Schools, Future City Competition, Orion’s Quest, Recycling, Robotics, A World in Motion, Family Math, Science & Engineering Nights, etc.

 

 

Resources

New National Standards for Science are being created. They are expected to be finalized early 2013. For more information, please visit http://nextgenscience.org

• Information about the process
• Download the framework

 

Parent/Student Resources

• Pre School: Simply Science Handbook
• Science Content

Parent Activity guides (Grades 1-7) are also available by request from the Detroit Mathematics and Science Center.  Please call 313.873.4519 to make your request.

Science Content

• This informational site includes podcasts, educational materials and science news. Check it out!
• Science games to help reinforce understanding about our planet Earth.
• Multiple resources around Science and Technology
• Parents and K-12 Students Exploring Science
• High School Science-tutorials
• Help Your Child Explore Science from the National Science Teachers Association
• MASER: Hundreds of internet links related to Science (by grade level)
• Science Activities to do at home
• Science, Agriculture, and You
• Learning about energy conservation
• National Center for Education Statistics Kids Zone – Updated daily, this site also includes a great graphing link

Science Fair

• Science and Engineering Fair of Metro Detroit – Encourage your school to hold a Science Fair!
• Free Science Fair Project Ideas, Answers & Tools for Serious Students (Science Buddies)
• Science Fair Central (Discovery Education)
• Science Fair Project Resource Guide (ipl2)
• Science Fair Projects (Internet4Classrooms)
• Science Project Primer (Society for Science & The Public)
• Science Fair Theme Page (Community Learning Network)

Exploring Careers in Science

• Outstanding website that provides both fact sheets and short videos about various STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) career options.
• The Secret Life of Scientists & Engineers (PBS)
  Highlighting two science and engineering stars every month. From back-flipping inventors to biochemist beauty queens to artists and athletes and musicians and more. "THE SECRET LIFE OF SCIENTISTS" is a brand-new NOVA series, which shows what happens when the lab coats come off.
• Career Links for K-5
  • Fun Jobs (kids.gov)
  • Kids Work! (ETV Commission)
• Career Link for grades 6-8
  • Careers (kids.gov)

• Careers you never knew existed (EDC)
• Exploring Careers through the Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Career Exploration and Guides (Vocational Information Center)
• Skills Assessment/Occupation (iSeek)
• Career Interest Survey (School to World)
• Why do I need this Science Class? (Michigan Department of Education)
• Career interest online survey (Los Rios Community College District)

 

Family Field Trips

Local destinations that will spark interest and provide opportunity for your student to learn more about Science.

• Utilize the “Check out your local museum” pass from your local library which allows 2-4 FREE admission tickets to several local locations as long as you have a Detroit Public Library card.
• Belle Isle Nature Center
• University of Michigan-Dearborn Environmental Interpretive Center
• University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Natural History Museum
• Crosswinds Marsh
• Air Zoo
• Detroit Zoo
• Detroit Riverwalk/Tri-Centennial Park
• Detroit Science Center
• Ann Arbor Hands On Museum
• Leslie Nature and Science Center (Ann Arbor)

 

Practice Assessments

In the state of Michigan, students take the Science MEAP at grades 5 and 8 only.  In high school, students take the MME/ACT in the 11^th grade.

TIMSS (Third International Math and Science Survey)

• Grades 3 & 4 Science Sample Assessment
• Grades 7 & 8 Science Sample Assessment
• Grade 12 Math & Science Sample Assessment

NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress)

The NAEP website is an excellent source of sample assessment items.  On the left margin of the website, you must select the grade level, then click on the topic of the question in the center panel of the web page to see the actual assessment item.  You can also print the items.

• Grade 4
• Grade 8
• Grade 12

State Practice Tests

The State Practice Tests website includes examples from all over the United States, as well as the TIMSS and NAEP items. Scroll down the page until you find the grade level/state examples and some brand new items related to Science process skills.

Practice Tests Specific to High School

• ACT practice – Science
• 4Tests ACT Practice Tests
• Testfrenzy ACT Science Practice Tests
• Test Prep Review Free Practice Tests
• 4Tests practice exams for AP courses, ACT, SAT, etc.

 

Other Resources/Projects

• Children’s Museum
• DAPCEP
• Detroit Mathematics and Science Center
• Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship-Detroit Project