This project will develop and implement an exemplary secondary school science teacher preparation program which features inquiry-oriented, interdisciplinary science. The instructional practices to be introduced into the new and newly modified courses will stem from the research on cognitive structure and conceptual change. Three new courses will be included in that program: a three credit upper-division inquiry based interdisciplinary Science/Technology/Society course required of all liberal arts majors and all prospective science teachers; a one credit seminar in cognitive structure and teaching practices which foster conceptual change; and a nine credit teaching practicum, which will involve preservice teachers in planning, conducting, and evaluating selected model lessons and inquiry laboratories. The teaching practicum course development team will include four high school science teachers. Thus the project will be a collaborative venture between the Colleges of Education and Science at Utah State University and secondary school science teachers from selected school districts. The cost sharing for the project will be 30 percent of the NSF portion.
