Do the Standards really matter? Nine years after the National Science Education Standards’ release, just how well do science teachers actually use them to plan concept-based experiences, perform content focused activities, define improved teaching, and assess real learning? Changing Emphases corresponds to the Less Emphasis and More Emphasis conditions that conclude each section of the Standards, characterizing what most teachers and programs should do less of as well as describing the changes needed if real reform is to occur. DIIMSA®-EXPERT is based on the research-based DIIMSA® Model that corresponds to the National Science Education Standards (NSES) vision for Less Emphasis and More Emphasis conditions that characterize what most teachers and programs should do less of as well as describing the changes needed for real reform is to occur. Investigative higher order thinking during experiences is where Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education needs to be for the future, and the future is now. DIIMSA®-EXPERT is leading the way in assisting teachers in achieving the Changing Emphases included in the NSES and provides a unique resource for teachers to "rise to the occasion" and get results.

Cultural Relevancy

As society becomes more culturally diverse, STEM visionaries are starting to experience the crisis impacting society on a daily basis as individuals lack true problem-solving and critical thinking skills and the ability to be rational about scenarios. These are key skills instilled during experienced-based rigor in the secondary STEM education years (formal and informal) [1].

"The future lies in knowledge-intensive businesses: pharmaceuticals, IT, financial services, manufacturing. They rely on STEM graduates and post-graduates. It is really important that we have a supply chain that is going to produce the numbers."
Source: Council for Industry and Higher Education

Based on the Visual Realization Program’s survey results, teachers and administrators are being put into situations where they are looking for innovative ways to increase conceptual knowledge in STEM subjects and providing experiences outside of traditional learning areas to build critical, rational and research mindsets, while providing true STEM experiences [1]. DIIMSA®-EXPERT is the result of continuous research and real projects and is truly unique resource that focuses on higher order applied thinking using authentic visual scenes. Content within DIIMSA®-EXPERT can be used as Brain Warmers, Class Experiences during Instruction, Re-Teaching and Reviewing, Tutorials and Field Excursion Planning/Preparation. All digital imagery content in DIIMSA®-EXPERT is from actual project experiences by teachers, students and researchers.

“The DIIMSA® Model is not static. Its structure and components provide active learning experiences that enhance student understanding and address the need for students to develop inquiry research skills in science. It promotes both the design of curricula that engage students in exploring and deepening their understanding of important ideas as well as in the design of assessments to reveal the extent of the understandings. Taking the digital pictures was easy; why take the pictures and what to do with them afterwards---these questions presents a major challenge for both teachers and students[1].”

(1-National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Press, Exemplary Science Standards-Based Success Stories,“VisualRealization.com - Teaching with Pictures”)