In the following four different formats, obtain information about Science as it relates to students with disabilities:
Information Briefs
Science Inquiry:
The Link to Accessing the General Education Curriculum
Inquiry is an interactive process that actively engages students in learning in meaningful ways. The process of inquiry is characterized by interactive, student-centered activities focused on questioning, exploring, and posing explanations. Inquiry in the science classroom enhances students’ understanding of natural phenomena and develops students’ science process skills. Students with learning disabilities, given proper supports, can benefit from inquiry instruction in science. This brief provides an overview of science inquiry, as well as strategies for implementing inquiry for students with learning disabilities.
Web-Based Resources for Science, Technology, and Engineering: Tools and Activities for Teaching and Learning, developed by CAST, a valuable Access Center partner, is a directory of online tools and resources. Educators can use these materials to enhance curriculum to improve the participation of students with disabilities in science, technology, and engineering content areas.
Using Mnemonic Instruction to Teach Science
This brief illustrates mnemonics that are useful in teaching science subject matter as varied as the human body, insects, levers, and the colors of the rainbow to students with disabilities.
Science and Students with Autism
Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) make up one set of students that require support in the general education science classroom. This brief focuses on the specific needs of students with ASD and on strategies that can help these students access the middle school general education science curriculum.
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Computer-Assisted Instruction and Science
This short brief gives an overview of Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI) and explains how it can be applied to enhance science instruction.
Differentiated Instruction for Science
This short brief gives an overview of differentiation and explains how it can be applied to enhance science instruction
Links
National Science Education Standards offer a coherent vision of what it means to be scientifically literate, describing what all students, regardless of background or circumstance, should understand and be able to do at different grade levels. http://www.nap.edu/readingroom/books/nses/html/
Science: ENC Online has collected more than 400 lessons and resources for teaching science and organized them by topic: earth and space science,
history of science, life science, physical science, careers, and informal education. http://www.enc.org/weblinks/lessonplans/science/
National Geographic provides activities and lesson plans around various science topics for various grade levels. http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/
Education World lists links to a dozen great science sites for students and teachers. http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech158.shtml
Video Clips
Reaching Every Student in Science K-8: UDL Approach
The following video is an excerpt from the "Adequate Yearly Access, Participation and Progress Institute" held October 13, 2004 at the Access Center. In the context of a 1st grade science lesson plan, Tracey Hall discusses UDL principles and supports and how they can be applied to improve access for all students.
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Webinars
"Science as Inquiry Through Physical Science"
Watch and listen to the recorded event
Dr. Doreen Ferko presented this webinar on March 1, 2005. Dr. Ferko discussed how to address the science standard, inquiry, via the content of physical science. Suggestions for including students with special needs was also discussed. Also provided were examples of physical science demonstrations that address the national science standard.
View presentation slides and handout
