Washington’s Science Classrooms to Get New Focus

Washington state will be emphasizing engineering and technology in their new science standards for public school children.

The new standards are for grades kindergarten through 12th grade reports KNDO News.

Gov. Jay Inslee and Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn announced the new standards on Friday.

"Our classrooms are where Washington's next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs get their start," said Gov. Inslee. "These new standards will help educators cultivate students' natural curiosity, push their creative boundaries and get kids excited about science and technology. This is a tremendous step forward for Washington's students."

The so-called Next Generation Science Standards describe at each level from kindergarten through high school what each student needs to know in four areas. Those domains are physical science, life science, earth and space science, plus engineering, technology and science application.

Dorn says the world's increasingly complex problems demand students have a complex understanding of the environment, energy and other areas. He says the new standards will give students enough information, whether they are heading to college or starting a career after high school.