The Science Semester
Being an effective elementary science teacher requires knowing about science as well as knowing how to help children learn science. The goal of the Science Semester is to help you examine and enrich your knowledge, skills, and attitudes as a science learner, future teacher, and citizen. In the Science Semester, learning science and learning how to teach science go hand-in-hand.
Is the Science Semester for me?
The Science Semester is designed just for Elementary Teacher Education (ETE) majors. Unlike other versions of science courses, only ETE students take these classes. The curriculum is set-up to focus on the science that you will need as a K-8 teacher and uses actual curriculum from elementary and middle schools to help you think about science teaching. Enrollment is limited to 60 students so that we can use teaching methods such as small group work and provide closer interaction with faculty than in a traditional large lecture science class. In addition, you take an education course along with the science courses. This gives you immediate connections to educational issues of teaching children science rather than just being all about science and nothing about children.
The Science Semester instructors are particularly interested in working with students who have not had a lot of experience with science, or might be uncomfortable with it, as well as students who are planning to teach middle school science. Our goal is to help you understand how exciting science can be for both you and your future students!
What does the Science Semester entail?
If you sign up for the Science Semester, you will be registered for the following courses in spring of your sophomore year: EDUC 341 Elementary Curriculum: Science and specially designed versions of two of your required science courses (BISC 104 Principles of Biology, GEOL 113 Earth Science, SCEN 102 Physical Science). The education course and two science courses are integrated to emphasize their rich connections and to reveal different disciplinary perspectives on the natural world, science education, and current social issues. The courses are connected to one another through investigations of current issues in science and elementary science education. By participating in these investigations, you will improve your inquiry skills, learn science content, and experience and reflect on teaching and learning strategies that you can use in your future elementary classroom.
Can I take the Science Semester?
You are eligible to enroll in the Science Semester if you have:
(1) completed the gateway science course in your freshman year (BISC 104, GEOL 113, or SCEN 102, depending on the year you entered the ETE program)
-and-
(2) have not yet taken either of the other two science courses required for all ETE majors.
You are required to enroll in the Science Semester if you have chosen middle school science as your second certification area.
How do I sign up?
If you are interested in the Science Semester, you will sign up to reserve a seat in it during EDUC 100. All ETE majors choosing middle school science as their second certification area will be guaranteed a seat in the semester and the remaining seats are open to any ETE majors. If there are more than 60 students interested in the Science Semester, a lottery will be conducted and you will be notified if you received a seat.
Can I get more information?
If you would like more information about the Science Semester, or to see if it would be a good choice for you, please contact your advisor or Dr. Danielle Ford, Associate Professor of Science Education, at djford@udel.edu or (302) 831-6254.
