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One reason for the widespread use of the energy concept across the sciences is that energy analysis can be used to interpret the behavior of systems even if one does not know the particular mechanisms that underlie the observed behavior. By providing an approach to interpreting unfamiliar phenomena, energy provides a lens on phenomena that can set the stage for deeper learning about how and why phenomena occur. However, not all energy ideas are equally productive in setting the stage for new learning.

This study explores the adaptations made by elementary school teachers to promote student Productive Disciplinary Engagement (PDE) during modeling activities within an online learning context. PDE means students make collective intellectual progress by using disciplinary practices and ideas to formulate possible solutions or answers. Given the abrupt transition to remote education instigated by the COVID-19 pandemic, student engagement and hands-on learning opportunities have faced significant challenges.

We recently published a paper in this journal (de Jong et al., 2023) that presented an overview of the literature on learning in science domains through direct instruction and guided inquiry-based learning. This paper was, in part, a response to Zhang et al. (2022) who argued that the evidence firmly supported the superiority of direct instruction over inquiry learning. Sweller et al.

Gathering contributions from leading scholars around the world, this handbook offers a comprehensive resource on the most recent advances in research surrounding the theories, methodologies, and applications of science learning progressions. Researchers and educators have used learning progressions to guide the design and alignment of curriculum, instruction, and assessment, and to help students learn scientific knowledge and practices in a coherent and connected way across multiple years.

Cheng, Y., Chen, I. C., Schneider, B., Reckase, M., & Krajcik, J. (2024). Gender differences and similarities in high school science performance— what do item response patterns tell us? Applied Measurement in Education, 37(4), 305–328. https://doi.org/10.1080/08957347.2024.2431007

This study applied the many-facet Rasch measurement (MFRM) to assess students’ knowledge-in-use in middle school physical science. 240 students completed three knowledge-in-use classroom assessment tasks on an online platform. We developed transformable scoring rubrics to score students’ responses, including a task-generic polytomous rubric (applicable to the three tasks), a task-specific polytomous rubric (for each task), and a task-specific dichotomous rubric (for each task). Three qualified raters scored 240 students’ responses to the three tasks.

Chemical bonding is central to explaining many phenomena. Research in chemical education and the Framework for K–12 Science Education (the Framework) argue for new approaches to learning chemical bonding grounded in (1) using ideas of the balance of electric forces and energy minimization to explain bond formation, (2) using learning progressions (LPs) grounded in these ideas to support learning, and (3) engaging students in 3D learning reflected in integrating the three dimensions of scientific knowledge to make sense of phenomena.

Achieving the ambition of global science education reforms remains an ongoing challenge. Ideas from other STEM domains, however, could spur needed innovation in science education. The maker movement – or engaging in making – and computer science education – or learning computing – have proven rich contexts for STEM learning. This review analyses making and computing education research with primary-aged learners for insights on designing more meaningful science learning, an underlying goal of reforms.

We discuss transforming STEM education using three aspects: learning progressions (LPs), constructed response performance assessments, and artificial intelligence (AI). Using LPs to inform instruction, curriculum, and assessment design helps foster students’ ability to apply content and practices to explain phenomena, which reflects deeper science understanding. To measure the progress along these LPs, performance assessments combining elements of disciplinary ideas, crosscutting concepts and practices are needed.