Heal the Bay Blog

Guest blogger Kurt Holland taught science at Santa Monica Alternative Schoolhouse, a public K-8 learning center, for 10 years. A marine science and environmental education leader, Kurt will contribute occasional blogs focused on science education.

As science teachers, parents, and school districts across California vigorously debate the merits of the recently adopted Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) both the Santa Monica Alternative Schoolhouse (SMASH) and Heal the Bay’s Santa Monica Pier Aquarium have employed these “new methods” for more than a decade with outstanding results, as measured by student engagement, alumni outcomes and traditional testing.

However, the value to young people goes far beyond these measures; “science in action” programs like Key to the Sea, Student Action Teams, and service learning partnerships with our local community equip our students to earn leadership positions early in life by elevating evidence-based argumentation skills, rigorous science inquiry skills, and public speaking practice above rote memorization or test taking.

Effective next generation learning environments like those at the Aquarium/SMASH sound like learners doing most of the talking! During investigations and lessons at SMASH and the Aquarium, small groups may be heard using accurate science vocabulary, considering alternative explanations for their observations, and carefully practicing science and engineering protocols. In numerous cases, students from SMASH’s middle school have deployed these skills in public meetings, at state Fish and Wildlife hearings, and in articles for local newspapers.

Fish and Wildlife managers credit student scientists’ testimony and writing with being “deeply influential” during the protracted effort to create marine protected areas (MPAs) along the Southern California coast in 2010. One burly MPA opponent publicly challenged one SMASH student, Jasper R, suggesting that he was merely parroting his teacher’s views. Jasper quickly set that notion to rest with an articulate and respectful rebuttal. Imagine a world where 14- year-old boys routinely exhibit such poise, consideration, and effectiveness.

These new science standards will allow and encourage similar learning experiences for many children and adolescents. SMASH and Heal the Bay are already producing just such learning experiences; great teachers everywhere know that experience is the real teacher and we are just guides or advisors to learners as they explore the world.

Even adolescents love touching sea cucumbers, examining colorful anemones, or – yes! – kissing sharks. This last activity is not recommended for everyone, but my students loved this for some reason and made it a tradition. Hands-on-activity is encouraged by a new section labeled science and engineering practices (SEPs).

Science in action is one way to think about this hands-on teaching method. Building and physically handling tools or interesting artifacts is fundamental to how new generation learning environments are different from textbook-driven education. At the Aquarium, this practice this looks like kids of all ages using oceanographic tools to measure dissolved oxygen, collecting plankton for analysis, and explaining their results in demanding “lab practicals.” At SMASH this has looked like building underwater robots, testing water quality, and designing experimental equipment like wave tanks and “green surfboards.”

The students’ feelings of empowerment and the critical life-skills habits of initiative, persistence, and striving for continuous improvement are the most lasting impacts of effective Next Generation Science Standards. If such habits are what you want for your learners, then get on down to the Aquarium and develop the partnerships that will make your classroom into a model NGSS learning environment. SMASH students have used these effective habits to win prestigious academic contests like QuikScience, to restore riparian habitats in Malibu Creek, and as launch pads for effective high school experiences at public and independent high schools across the Westside. A former student, Naomi commenting on our experiences with the Aquarium said, “This is teaching us to change the world.”

Call 310-393-6149, ext. 105 to reserve a field trip at the Aquarium. Heal the Bay has many education programs for teachers and kids across all grades.

California’s Next Generation Science Standards:

Heal the Bay’s Santa Monica Pier Aquarium and SMASH Lead the Way

Science teachers, parents, and school districts across California are vigorously debating the implementation and merits of the recently adopted Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Many veteran teachers are wary of any state initiative, having experienced many fruitless instances of “educational reform.” Other thoughtful stakeholders point out that the all-inclusive integrative nature of the new standards rely upon “new” teaching methods that many teachers have never practiced given that theat state has been mandating other practices since the late nineties. As for our valued partners -, parents -, many have never even heard of these new standards that will soon be a positive game changer for science education across the state. Understandably, many teachers, parents, and districts are seeking a model of how these standards would sound, look, and feel in a real world of schools and children. Fortunately for Southern California, we have two exemplars of teaching excellence, Santa Monica Alternative Schoolhouse (SMASH) and Heal the Bay’s Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, that are deeply versed in the effective teaching methods now being prescribed for schools across the state. These partners have been using the so-called “new methods” for over a decade with outstanding results as measured by student engagement, alumni outcomes, and traditional testing. However the value to young people goes far beyond these measures; “science in action” programs like Key to the Sea, Student Action Teams, and service learning partnerships with our local community equip our students to earn leadership positions early in life by elevating evidence- based argumentation skills, rigorous science inquiry skills, and public speaking practice above rote memorization or test taking. Effective next generation NGSS learning environments like those at the Aaquarium/SMASH sound like learners doing most of the talking! During investigations and lessons at SMASH and the Aquarium, small groups may be heard using accurate science vocabulary, considering alternative explanations for their observations, and carefully practicing science and engineering protocols. In numerous cases, students from SMASH’s middle school have deployed these 21st century skills in public meetings, at state Ffish and Wildlife game hearings, and in articles for local newspapers. Fish and Wildlife game managers credit student scientists’’s testimony and writing with being “deeply influential” during the protracted effort to create marine protected areas (MPAs) along the Southern California coast in 2010. One burly MPA opponent publicly challenged one SMASH student, Jasper R, suggesting that he was merely parroting his teacher’s views. Jasper quickly set that notion to rest with an articulate and respectful rebuttal. Imagine a world where 14- year- old boys routinely exhibit such poise, consideration, and effectiveness. These new science standardsNGSS will allow and encourage similar these learning experiences for s learning pathways where this could be a reality for many children and adolescents.; SMASH and Heal the Bay are already producing just such learning experiences. Great teachers everywhere know that experience is the real teacher and we are just guides or advisors to learners as they explore the world. and their Even adolescents love touching sea cucumbers, examining colorful anemones, or even kissing sharks. This last activity is not recommended for everyone, but my students loved this for some reason and made it a yearly tradition. In NGSS, Hhands-on-activity is encouraged by a new section labeled science and engineering practices (SEPs). Science in action is one way to think about this hands on teaching method. Building and physically handling tools or interesting artifacts things is fundamental to how new generation NGSS learning environments are different from textbook driven education. At the In Aaquarium, this practice this looks like kids of all ages using oceanographic tools to measure dissolved oxygen, collecting plankton for analysis, and explaining their results in demanding “lab practical’s.” At SMASH this has looked like bBuilding underwater robots, testing water quality, and designing experimental equipment like wave tanks and “green surfboards”.” is science in action at SMASH. Are some of the The most lasting impacts of effective NGSS style teaching within learners are Tthe students’ feelings of empowerment and the critical life-skills habits of initiative, persistence, and striving for continuous improvement are the most lasting impacts of effective Next Generation Science Standards . If such habits are what you want for your learners, then get on down to the Aquarium and develop the partnerships that will make your classroom into a model NGSS learning environment. SMASHing students have used these effective habits to win prestigious academic contests like QuikScience, restore riparian habitats in Malibu Creek, and as launch pads for effective high school experiences at public and independent high schools across the Westside. A former student, Naomi commenting on our experiences with the Aaquarium said, “thisThis is teaching us to change the world.” Call 310-393-6149, ext. 105 to reserve a field trip at the Aquarium or learn more about the education programs of Heal the Bay at https://healthebay.org/educators

Guest blogger Kurt Holland is a marine science and environmental education leader; for ten years he taught science at Santa Monica School House (SMASH). He will be contributing occasional blogs on science education.