Lessons from the pandemic about science education

Abstract

The coronavirus pandemic vividly illuminates deficiencies of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The NGSS does not mention immunization, antibodies, vaccines, or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nor do they ask students to investigate a topic outside the standards or read a science-related book or article. The stated goal of the standards is to prepare students for college and careers, which means that they do not prioritize how science connects to societal or personal concerns of every adult, even those who do not pursue science in higher education or their careers. Andrew Zucker and Pendred Noyce suggest several approaches to improve the NGSS.