School
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
Division
Biological Science
Department
Science Education
Academic Level
Undergraduate
Course Subject
Science
Course Number
210
Course Title
Introduction to Science for Elementary Educators
Credit Hours
4.00
Instructor Contact Hours Per Semester
62.00 (for 15-week classes)
Student Contact Hours Per Semester
62.00 (for 15-week classes)
Grading Method
A-E
Catalog Course Description
An inquiry based course that provides students a broad overview of both science instruction and the process of science. Students will investigate, discuss and design experiments using the group inquiry method of instruction. This is the first science course in a sequence intended for pre-service elementary school education majors. Two combined classroom/lab sessions per week.
Goals, Topics, and Objectives
Core Course Topics
- Observation and Measurement using the Metric system
- Inferences and Predictions, Theories and Laws
- Design of an experiment, identifying and isolating variables
- Hypothesis formation and testing
- Critiquing of a scientific experiment
- Graphing and presenting data
- Reading and interpreting graphs, charts and tables
- Presenting a student designed experiment
- Use the skills above to learn and present material in life science, environmental science, and human biology
- Use the skills above to learn and present material in physical science, electricity, and energy
- Use the skills above to learn and present material in earth science.
Core Course Learning Objectives (Separated)
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
- Design and conduct basic scientific investigations.
- Develop solutions to problems through observation, reasoning, and investigations.
- Manipulate simple scientific instruments that aid in observation and data collection.
- Use simple metric measurement devices to obtain data for use in scientific investigations.
- Develop science process skills for information gathering and problem solving.
- Construct charts, graphs, and reports from classroom generated data.
- Use multimedia sources of information in support of experimental investigations.
- Synthesize scientific information from reference books and other sources of technical information.
- Diagram procedures in the form of step-by-step instructions, formulas, flow diagrams, and sketches.
- Discuss topics in groups by making clear presentations, restating or summarizing what others have said and asking for clarification and elaboration.
- Develop an awareness of the need for scientific evidence when interpreting data.
- Generate questions about the physical and living world based on observation.
- Generate answers to questions that can be investigated empirically.
Assessment and Requirements
Assessment of Academic Achievement
Assessment of academic achievement will be based on class participation, class readings, examinations, e-portfolio submissions, and various class assignments.
Outcomes
General Education Categories
- Natural Sciences
Institutional Outcomes
- Scientific Reasoning
MTA Categories
- Category 6: Natural Sciences (Lecture and Lab)
Satisfies Wellness Requirement
No
Approval Dates
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Review Semester
Fall 2024