Science Education (Elementary) (SCEE)

An introductory, activity-oriented approach to materials and methodology appropriate to teaching science in kindergarten through sixth grade. Emphasis on development of inquiry techniques and the constructivist theory of learning stressed in most of the newer early childhood and elementary science programs. Practical application through experiences with children.

This course prepares students to teach the sciences in the elementary and middle grades. This course teaches how to design and teach inquiry-based science lessons that support elementary and middle school students' constructivist learning for deep understanding. Students in this course will practice designing and teaching inquiry-based lessons. They will experience inquiry-based science lessons and laboratories first-hand. This will familiarize them with the instructional approach and teach them specific science. They will also learn to review video and other resources to determine elementary and middle school students' misconceptions about the same science. Students in this course will practice integrate all this information as they design and teach inquiry-based lessons on e.g. energy, body systems, the seasons, density, and the water cycle. For their final project, students will research, design, and teach an inquiry-based lesson on a science topic of their own choosing. Learning how to manage the inquiry-based science classroom will be emphasized throughout the course.