Sputnik
Time Frame/Year: 1957
Sponsor: The United States Government (Eisenhower and Kennedy Adminstrations)
Aim of the Movement:
To reform and improve K-12 math and science education on a large scale through the factors of content, expectations, teaching and time in order to reverse the downward trend in educational performances and keep our nation globally competitive.
Major Impact on Science Education:
Long Term Contribution:
The Sputnik crisis brought education, especially the subjects of science and mathematics to the attention of the American people and how education is vital to the maintenance of our standing in the world. This feeling still continues today. Curriculum also saw a major overhaul as the importance of textbooks and memorization of terminology was diminished and was replaced by more inquiry based activities, reading and films. Many quaility curriculums were also created during this time that are still apart of many curriculums today.
But the biggest contribution of this movement was the formula for reforming science education which included factors such as professional development, inclusion of as many people as possible (professionals, local, state and national leaders), quality curriculum, teacher buy-in and the appearance of a crisis or common goal. Many future reform movements followed the Sputnik formula, which is a testament to its success.
Time Frame/Year: 1957
Sponsor: The United States Government (Eisenhower and Kennedy Adminstrations)
Aim of the Movement:
To reform and improve K-12 math and science education on a large scale through the factors of content, expectations, teaching and time in order to reverse the downward trend in educational performances and keep our nation globally competitive.
Major Impact on Science Education:
- Gave attention to science which led to a large infusion of money into science programs such as the National Science Foundation but also provided scholarships for those going into science fields and also provided teachers money for professional development.
- Led to the creation of many new science curriculum projects such as BSCS, SCIS, SAPA, Chem Studies and Harvard Project Physics.
- Partnered science teachers with college science professors and working scientists to create strong lesson plans and lab activities.
- Included elementary-aged students as part of the science education reform process
- Designed the science curriculum to be inquiry-based.
Long Term Contribution:
The Sputnik crisis brought education, especially the subjects of science and mathematics to the attention of the American people and how education is vital to the maintenance of our standing in the world. This feeling still continues today. Curriculum also saw a major overhaul as the importance of textbooks and memorization of terminology was diminished and was replaced by more inquiry based activities, reading and films. Many quaility curriculums were also created during this time that are still apart of many curriculums today.
But the biggest contribution of this movement was the formula for reforming science education which included factors such as professional development, inclusion of as many people as possible (professionals, local, state and national leaders), quality curriculum, teacher buy-in and the appearance of a crisis or common goal. Many future reform movements followed the Sputnik formula, which is a testament to its success.