Project 2061
Timeframe/ Year: 1989-90
Sponsor: AAAS (American Association for the Advance of Science)
Aim of the Movement:
Project 2061 is a long term reform effort in science education that promotes scientific literacy for all Americans. The term "scientific literacy" essentially refers to well-informed citizens who are better able to make decisions and weigh the pros and cons of an issue using scientific reasoning and are therefore capable of leading "interesting and productive" lives.
Major Impact on Science Education:
Through Project 2061, the National Science Education Standards were created with the use of terms such as "Standards" and "Benchmarks".
Project 2061 emphasized new curriculum topics such as the nature of science, the history of science and the how science, math and technology are subjects closely related to one another.
Long Term Contribution:
Although the term benchmarks is no longer in use, many of the terms created by the project (scientific literacy, nature of science, etc) are still used and considered important science education factors today. The creation of standards by the NSES and the application of those standards to ensure that everyone is getting the same information is a Project 2061 concept that is still in use today as well.
The change in curriculum to include the nature and history of science is also still present today, but the intertwining of science, math and technology that began with this project has grown into what we now know as STEM and is emphasized more now than ever.
Timeframe/ Year: 1989-90
Sponsor: AAAS (American Association for the Advance of Science)
Aim of the Movement:
Project 2061 is a long term reform effort in science education that promotes scientific literacy for all Americans. The term "scientific literacy" essentially refers to well-informed citizens who are better able to make decisions and weigh the pros and cons of an issue using scientific reasoning and are therefore capable of leading "interesting and productive" lives.
Major Impact on Science Education:
Through Project 2061, the National Science Education Standards were created with the use of terms such as "Standards" and "Benchmarks".
Project 2061 emphasized new curriculum topics such as the nature of science, the history of science and the how science, math and technology are subjects closely related to one another.
Long Term Contribution:
Although the term benchmarks is no longer in use, many of the terms created by the project (scientific literacy, nature of science, etc) are still used and considered important science education factors today. The creation of standards by the NSES and the application of those standards to ensure that everyone is getting the same information is a Project 2061 concept that is still in use today as well.
The change in curriculum to include the nature and history of science is also still present today, but the intertwining of science, math and technology that began with this project has grown into what we now know as STEM and is emphasized more now than ever.