Edsc 227 Teaching Science in Secondary Schools  Russ Agne

Spring 1999 Tuesday 4:10-7:00 P.M. 443 Waterman [Reg. Code 10239]

Participants in EDSC 227 consider science curriculum and instructional strategies for grades 7-12. The course will examine science as inquiry and problem solving, research in science teaching, instructional planning, meeting the science literacy needs of all students, computer technology and telecommunications, and the assessment of science achievement including standards based frameworks.

Textbook: Teaching Secondary School Science, Sixth Edition, Leslie W. Trowbridge and Rodger W. Bybee, Merrill, an Imprint of Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ (1996) [ISBN 0-02042156-0] Class meeting dates (for information purposes) and Chapter Readings:

DATE	CHAPTER Number and TITLE
January 26	Ch. 1 Becoming a Science Teacher Meet in 434 Waterman
	Ch. 24 Student Teaching and Professional Growth
February 2	Ch. 2 Building Your Instructional Theory
	Ch. 3 Historical Perspectives
	Ch. 4 National Standards and Scientific Literacy
February 9	Ch. 5 Goals of Science Teaching
	Ch. 6 Objectives of Science Teaching Mini Lessons taught Meet at South Burlington High School, Room 212 (Biology)
February 16	Ch. 8 High School Science Curriculum
	Ch. 9 Science and Other Disciplines
February 23	Public School Winter Vacation (Feb. 22-26, 1999)--no UVM class
March 2	Vermont Town Meeting Recess observed --no UVM class
March 9	Ch. 10 Inquiry and Conceptual Change
	Ch. 11 Questioning and Discussion Teacher Panel Discussion Meet at South Burlington High School, Room 212 (Biology)
	Ch. 12 Investigation and Problem Solving
	Ch. 13 Demonstration and Laboratory Work
March 16	UVM Spring Recess (March 15-19)--UVM class will not meet
March 23	Ch. 14 Models for Effective Science Teaching
	Ch. 15 Planning for Effective Science Teaching
	Ch. 16 Controversy in the Classroom Mini Lessons Taught Meet at South Burlington High School, Room 212 (Biology)
March 30	Ch. 17 Assessing Student Learning
	Ch. 25 Being a Science Teacher
April 6	Ch. 13 New Models for Assessment
	Ch. 19 The Psychological Basis for Effective Sci Tchg
April 13	Ch. 20 Individual and Cultural Differences in Sci. Class.
	Ch. 21 Classroom Management and Conflict Resolution
April 20	No class today (Public School Spring Vacation, April 19-23)
April 27	Ch. 22 Computers in Science Classroom
	Ch. 23 Materials for Science Teaching Video Taping Meet at South Burlington High School, Room 212 (Biology)
May 4	Last class meeting of Edsc 227 for Semester

Listing of the Assignments for EDSC 227

Here are the course assignments and when each is due. Some assignments will be accompanied by handouts or links to www sites. The percentages (%'s) listed with each assignment identifies its contribution towards the final course grade.

1. Science Methods Textbook Readings (20%)

Provide written evidence of your careful reading and reflection on 15 chapters of your choosing from Trowbridge and Bybee. The due dates for submitting sets of 5 chapter "attests" are: Assignment 1-A on March 9; Assignment 1-B on March 30; and Assignment 1-C on April 20.

2. Contributions to class: Presentations and Activities (30%)

Class participation builds upon the assumption that you will be faithful in attendance and carefully complete out-of-class work. More than one unexcused absence will result in the lowering of your EDSC 227 course grade. Presentations are due as per sign-up sheet. Categories are: A. Invitation to Enquiry class presentation; B. Teaching science article or idea ("quickie"); C. Teach a 20 minute science lesson.

3. Choice of assignments to meet individual needs (15%)

Due by April 13, but may be turned in when ready. Electronic submissions are welcomed! Select one of the following: A. Science Textbook Analysis--a rigorous review of a science textbook/lab manual for a science subject of interest. B. ERIC/WWW Search--identify citations to topics of interest; this activity can be helpful to you in the design of a science lesson or unit. C. Software Review--review one or more computer programs designed for a science class or laboratory you work with. D. A course related option that you negotiate with the instructor.

4. Science Instructional Plan (20%)

This major assignment attests to you ability to integrate multiple strategies to present inquiry oriented science. Due on April 13. Class instruction and textbook readings (Chapter 15) provide helpful background. You must make references to the Vermont's Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities http://www.state.vt.us/educ/stand/page3.htm and or National Science Education Standards (NRC) of AAAS Project 2061 Benchmarks.

5. Summative Assessment--the Final Paper (15%)

Prepare and submit a cognitive map of the content of this course to communicate how you personally view science curriculum and instruction. Due on May 4. A brief class presentation of your work is expected, so please plan accordingly.

 

You are encouraged to use actual science data to develop a science lesson or unit. Here, for example, is a link to stream data collected by Vermont middle and high school students participating in the NSF supported Vermont Rivers Project at St. Michael's College: http://dauntless.smcvt.edu/VT_Rivers/splash.html

Original Science Data Sources compiled by Russ Agne

http://www.uvm.edu/~ragne/index1.html

This takes you to a web site, prepared by the instructor, that gives access to data appropriate to many science subjects: earth science (earthquakes and volcanos); biology (animal migration, population counts); chemistry (water quality, pH)

Field Based Students at Professional Development Sites

If you are taking this course as EDSS 295 at a PDS Sites (Essex Junction, Montpelier, Otter Valley Union High School, or South Burlington High School) please select the link below to Marion Voorheis' EDSC 295 syllabus. That will define special methods--science for you.