As a result of the new era in science education reform, professional associations in science such as the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) have developed science standards for grades K-12. This paper describes a model for utilizing the AAAS Project 2061 benchmarks for these standards in a science methods course. The course was divided among four phases, each building on the previous one. They are as follows: (1) Confront and Challenge, designed to extend teacher candidates' knowledge of national reform movements in science education; (2) Application, in which teacher candidates apply the principles of Science For All Americans (SFAA) and the Project 2061 benchmarks in curriculum design, instruction, and assessment; (3) Evaluation, where teacher candidates evaluate instructional resources by applying the SFAA principles and benchmarks; and (4) Sharing, in which teacher candidates participate as teachers in carrying out lessons they have designed using the recommended content and pedagogy of the benchmarks. Teacher candidates' feedback and reflections show how the content and pedagogical goals of the benchmarks were successfully integrated into their thoughts on the nature of science and science teaching. Contains 11 references. (PVD)