Earth and Life Science

Catalog description

This is a content-specific course for preservice teachers (grades K-5). The scientific content to be covered will encompass the concepts required for successful delivery and assessment of the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) for grades K-5. Specifically, this content will be centered around the following unit topics: Solar System, Earth-Sun-Moon System, Earth’s Changing Surface, Geology, Cells, Interdependence of Life and Weather. Three-dimensional learning as proposed in the Frameworks for K-12 Science Education (NAP, 2012) will be implemented with an emphasis on Science & Engineering Practices and Cross Cutting Concepts. While the accumulated body of knowledge is important and required to understand the modern world, science at its core is an active discipline that operates at the frontiers of knowledge. Science is one of the most radical academic disciplines with the power to fundamentally alter our understanding of and interaction with the natural world. This will be a rigorous science class where students will be expected to learn a wide range of scientific topics as well as learn to approach problems from the scientific perspective and develop testable solutions to problems.