Jennifer Mendoza

LBS 400-Senior Seminar

03/17/15
Science Reflection
The Next Generation Science Standards describe the standards that students for each
grade level have to meet. The three main components that are part of the scientific framework
include scientific and engineering practices, crosscutting concepts, as well as the disciplinary
core ideas. The standards cover each of the four disciplinary core ideas. These disciplines include
life science, earth science, physical science, as well as engineering and technology. Several
appendices are included in the NGSS with the intent of assisting teachers in the application of the
standards. For the appendix D, the focus is on making the NGSS accessible to all students and
explains the importance of increasing expectations. Appendix F describes the eight engineering
and practices while G focuses on seven crosscutting concepts that connect to the four core ideas.
The classes that have prepared me the most include Biology 102, Physical Science 300,
and SMT 416. Biology 102 introduced a wide variety of concepts including cells, heredity, plant
life, and ecosystems. In addition, the lab session of the course provided opportunities for
experimentation and the interpretation of data. This course helped me see the connections
between biology and how integral it is to our lives. Physical Science 300 covered many topics
including fluids, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, light, basic atomic properties, bonding and
chemical properties. These basic principles of physical science are essential to have knowledge
of since the subject is a core idea of the NGSS. The laboratory experiments were especially
helpful because they were hands on activities in which properties discussed in class were
observed. The demonstrations performed in class emphasized the importance of making science
fun so that students enjoy exploring the sciences. This is a key factor in helping students not only

learn the standards but also appreciate the sciences. SMT 416 focuses on the formation of the
Earth and the various structures and systems that are part of it. This course has peeked my
interest in the solar system through the informative lectures discussing the fascinating
discoveries made and what is yet to be uncovered.
The areas of science that I would be most comfortable teaching would include life
science and some aspects of earth science. I believe that the course Biology 102 has prepared me
sufficiently to teach life science. I think that I would be quite competent discussing the topics of
DNA and heredity for these areas are my strong point. I would have to review information
involving marine life since this is one of the areas that I had some difficulty with. On the other
hand, the areas that I feel less prepared to teach would be physical science. I need to spend
sufficient time reviewing concepts that involve light, sound and electricity. Although I do have
some knowledge about these concepts, I dont feel well prepared to teach them. I want to explain
this content simply and without overcomplicating the material. Also, I would like to provide
demonstrations and be able to explain them in great detail.
The artifacts that I would include in my portfolio include a paper that I wrote on GMOs
and a summary on a research article. I would like to include the paper that I wrote on GMOs
because it relates to biology and also shows how relevant biological processes are to our daily
lives. This artifact would demonstrate the knowledge that I have in regards to the existing
connectedness present between the food that we consume and biological processes that we use to
modify them. Also, the summary of the research article is an artifact that I would like to include
since it shows how human activities have influenced the current climate change which affects all
living organisms. These two artifacts would show the information that I have learned related to
the subject of biology. They demonstrate how discoveries have led to a deeper understanding of
the world but also to concerning effects resulting from human activity.