Deciding what to teach given limited time and resources can be a daunting challenge. Thankfully, a number of excellent resources for developing a high-quality SMT curriculum are already available from respected bodies of experts. Remember, though, that a change in curriculum can be jarring, especially for teachers. As you contemplate trying something different, make sure you include them in the process, using sound methods of community engagement. Be sure that teacher training and assessment align with any changes made to the curriculum.

• How do students best learn science, mathematics, and technology?
• What is the current debate about math curricula about?
• What is a good approach to improving technology education?
• What is the school board’s role in designing and assessing SMT curricula?
• What questions should we ask to ensure that our current or proposed SMT curricula are good enough?
• How are other districts approaching curricula questions?

How do students best learn science, mathematics, and technology?

• Joan Abdallah explains the various elements needed to engage students from a young age in science, math, and technology. [VIDEO] 
• George Wolfe, of the Loudoun County VA Academy of Science, describes the importance of a new approach to SMT education.  [VIDEO] 
• A recent report from the Brookings Institution questions the widely-held assumption that all 8th graders benefit from learning algebra. 
• In October of 2008, the Microsoft corporation announced Games for Learning, a multi-institutional alliance to study the benefits of video games as learning tools for math and science among middle school students.
• In the "Breadth vs. Depth" debate as it applies to science education, a study published in Science Education argues for breadth: students that study fewer topics in greater detail perform better in first year science courses.
• An article in Science magazine discusses the strengths of the new, research-based AP biology curriculum released this past July as well as concerns about how it will be implemented.

  What is the current debate about math curricula about?

• Rita Barger explains the difference between reform vs. traditional mathematcs. [RB.MW.2] 
• An article from NCTM on choosing mathematics curricula 

What is a good approach to improving technology education?

• Barry Burke of ITEA discusses a national action plan that focuses on five key recommendations for teaching technology and engineering.[VIDEO]  

What is the school board’s role in designing and assessing SMT curricula?

• Anne Bryant, Executive Director of NSBA, describes how school boards can use “the power of the question” to assess SMT curricula. [VIDEO]
• George Wolfe, of the Loudoun County VA Academy of Science, offers advice for districts looking to improve their SMT curricula. [VIDEO]
• Barry Burke of ITEA suggests some ideas for policies to support technology education.  [VIDEO] 

What questions should we ask to ensure that our current or proposed SMT curricula are good enough?

• NSBA’s resources for data-driven decision making (not SMT specific). 
• AAAS’s curriculum materials resources. 
• AAAS’s teaching and learning resources. 
• AAAS’s learning goals resources.
• AAAS’s testing and assessment resources. 

How are other districts addressing curricula questions?

• A Massachusetts school district is using Federal Stimulus funds to design a new elementary science curriculum.