Advanced Methods of Teaching Science and Environment K-9

Catalog description

This course provides the Elementary (K-9) educator with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for facilitating scientific inquiry, developing STEM literacy, and promoting critical reasoning skills in Elementary learners. Through the lens of research-based best practices, this course addresses inquiry-based and playful exploration, cooperative learning experiences, a notice and wonder model, integration with other curricular areas, and how Elementary scientists construct evidence-based explanations about real-world phenomena. Specific emphasis is placed on Environmental Education and a consideration of place-based learning as essential for the Elementary learner. Students develop concepts about key content and skills of scientific inquiry; and use this information in planning, assessing, implementing, differentiating, and revising instructional strategies for diverse learners. Prerequisite: minimum score of 01 in 'Upper Division Status'.