NIH Releases Three Free Curriculum Supplements for Middle
School Teachers as Part of Acclaimed Series
Bethesda, Maryland — The National Institutes of Health
(NIH), part of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), is releasing
its latest installments in a popular series of curriculum supplements designed
to promote inquiry-based, interdisciplinary learning and stimulate students’ interest
in science. NIH — the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting medical
research — distributes these supplements free of charge to teachers, allowing
them to update their curricula with all-in-one teaching materials that incorporate
topical issues and current scientific research.
Each new supplement is a self-contained teacher’s guide to two weeks of lessons
on science and human health, and includes background information, lesson plans,
take-home materials, and a Web-based component. The new titles (listed below)
are aligned with the National Science Education Standards released by the National
Academy of Sciences.
- Doing Science: The Process of Scientific Inquiry — Students explore the basics
of scientific inquiry, refine their critical-thinking skills, and learn to appreciate
the purpose of scientific research. (For grades 7 & 8)
- Looking Good, Feeling Good: From the Inside Out (Exploring Bone, Muscle, and
Skin) — Students learn about the structures of the musculoskeletal and skin systems,
the interactions between these body systems, and the factors that influence their
functions. (For grades 7 & 8)
- The Science of Mental Illness — Students gain insight into the biological basis
of mental illness and how scientific evidence and research can help us understand
its causes and lead to treatments and, ultimately, cures. (For grades 6, 7, & 8)
NIH produced these modules in partnership with curriculum developers from Biological
Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS), a nonprofit corporation located in Colorado
Springs, CO. A team of top scientists and educators developed the modules, which
were field-tested by teachers and students across the country.
To request these curriculum supplements or learn more about this series, visit
the NIH Office of Science Education Website at http://science.education.nih.gov/supplements.
The Office of the Director, the central office at NIH, is responsible for
setting policy for NIH, which includes 27 Institutes and Centers. This involves
planning, managing, and coordinating the programs and activities of all NIH
components. The Office of the Director also includes program offices which
are responsible for stimulating specific areas of research throughout NIH.
Additional information is available at http://www.nih.gov/icd/od/.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) — The Nation's Medical Research
Agency — includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal
agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical
research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common
and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov. |