Project 2061 Principles
of Reform
Project 2061 calls for systemic reform
of K-12 education to promote science
literacy for all students.
Rather than create a curriculum for
others to adopt, the project encourages
diversity and creativity by designing
tools for educators to use in developing
their own local curriculum keyed to
national goals. For more than a decade,
the project’s work in developing
such tools has been guided by the following
principles:
The first priority of science
education is basic science literacy
for all students, including those in
groups that have traditionally been
served poorly by science education,
so that as adults they can participate
fully in a world that is increasingly
being shaped by science and technology.
Education for universal science
literacy will, in addition to
enriching everyone’s life,
create a larger and more diverse
pool of students who are able to
pursue further education in scientific
fields and are motivated to do so.
Science literacy consists of
knowledge of certain important
scientific facts, concepts, and theories;
the exercise of scientific habits of
mind; and an understanding of the nature
of science, its connections to mathematics
and technology, its impact on individuals,
and its role in society.
For students to have the time
needed to acquire essential
knowledge and skills of science literacy,
the sheer amount of material that
today’s
science curriculum tries
to cover must be significantly reduced.
Effective education for science
literacy requires that every student
be frequently and actively involved
in exploring nature in ways that resemble
how scientists themselves go about
their work.
These principles will continue to
be a guiding force as Project 2061
works on behalf of science literacy
for all.
