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SME 301 - Science for Elementary Schools
The goal of this course is to promote confidence in and mastery of scientific concepts. This is done by teaching college science in such a way that it models the teaching of elementary science in terms of content, methods and materials. The course follows the science objectives for elementary and middle school as outlined in the Michigan Curriculum Framework. Emphasis is placed on in-depth science learning that is connected to other science topics, other curricular areas and everyday life. Connections between science topics are emphasized using the seven themes of the Michigan Curriculum Framework. Connections between other curricular areas are made through the use of vocabulary words, oral presentations, writing, maps, drawings, music and movement. Connections to everyday life are made through personal experiences, daily observations and experiments with everyday phenomena. The course teaches science in a "hands-on," "minds-on" approach. This approach allows the integration of discovery-based science (hands-on component) with reflection and theory (minds-on component). Instructional strategies include group discussions, experiments, demonstrations, presentations, writing and reading. The classroom imitates a typical elementary school classroom with few science resources. Thus, explorations of the various topics are done with everyday items found in the home rather than with laboratory equipment. The classroom climate is one of a sense of community in which each person matters as an individual and as part of the community of learners. An open acknowledgement of the importance of making mistakes and taking risks within the learning environment will play an important role in overcoming these attitudes and in building confidence.
SME 401 - Science Laboratories for Secondary School
The primary goal of this course is to help students become comfortable relying on themselves to set up appropriate experiments and projects for their own future students.
To accomplish this goal, students:
- work through standard laboratory exercises in earth science, biology, chemistry and physics. They modify these exercises to meet their needs as teachers at the middle/high school level.
- read and interpret scientific articles at various levels so that they become proficient at ferreting out information useful in their future classrooms.
- explore ways to engage students in and present laboratory exercises.
Because most of the science involved is review of what students have learned in previous courses, there is little direct teaching of these topics. Most laboratory work is preceded by a short introduction. More time is allowed for post-laboratory discussion, which is guided by questions posed by the students and the instructor. Required writing assignments also solidify the basic concepts presented in the laboratories. Since this course also fulfills the writing requirement for majors in the College of Natural Science, students are asked to do a fair amount of writing in various formats. Many assignments are short - only a page, with the most comprehensive writing related to the final project. The final project usually takes the form of a comprehensive laboratory manual on a defined topic, along with teacher support materials. Students are encouraged to spend time working on appropriate laboratory and demonstration materials to support their teaching experiences outside of this class. The laboratory is meant to be a place for students to work on anything that they need or want to, related to teaching science.
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