Why should we teach science for understanding? -- What does it mean to understand science? -- An initial planning model for teaching science for understanding: first steps in transforming your teaching and students' learning -- Models of teaching science for understanding through inquiry -- Teaching strategies that foster understanding -- Examining Food for plants -- Why is formative assessment essential? -- Criteria to guide planning and teaching science for understanding: an advanced model for planning -- A plan for planning: using criteria to select resources and plan instruction -- Planning a middle school lesson sequence on Newton's second law -- Planning a high school lesson sequence on cells -- Planning a high school lesson sequence on stoichiometry -- Planning a high school lesson sequence on refraction -- Planning a high school lesson sequence on weather -- Continuing your professional development.