An Integrated Science Sequence for Elementary Education Students

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The purpose of this project is to radically modify the introductory science courses offered at Mississippi State University to non-technical students. A three semester sequence of courses to include content in biology, astronomy, physics, chemistry, and geology will be offered. The major objective of the proposal is to provide preservice teachers with solid content in the disciplines while preparing them to teach science in the elementary school with an emphasis on the teaching of hands-on science. Special laboratory sections will be developed for the preservice teachers which focus on application of content, use of guided-discovery methods, and the development of process skills. Prior to teaching of the revised courses, Arts and Sciences faculty will attend seminars focusing on current science education research, methods of teaching by discovery, and newly developed curriculum materials for the elementary and middle school student. The preservice teachers, upon completion of the three-term sequence, will apply content knowledge and laboratory skills to the elementary education science methods course by planning lessons with increased science content and will translate laboratory activities into activities that are appropriate and meaningful to children. During their student teaching experience. students will be placed with teachers who have been educated in a three weeks summer workshop to serve as mentors to insure that students are in classrooms where good science is being taught. These mentors will be able to provide the encouragement and support that the perservice teachers need to teach science as they have been taught. The project evaluation will include following the students through student teaching and the first year of full time teaching. In the latter years of the project, there will be workshops and conferences to reach out to the other teacher education institutions in the state of Mississippi to share the course development and evaluation on a state wide basis. Of Particular interest is the inclusion of the community colleges in the target for outreach. The cost sharing by Mississippi State is 58% of the amount requested from NSF.