Florida State University's project will revise the science content and science education courses for elementary teachers. Courses will be developed in chemistry, physics, biology, and earth science. The themes of global change, Florida's fragile environment, and Science/Technology/Society will be interwoven into all these courses. The courses will be taught from a constructivist perspective, providing students with hands-on group experiences in science and opportunities for constructing their own understanding of science concepts. The diverse group of faculty that will be involved in developing the courses includes scientists, science educators, and experts in multicultural education, the history and philosophy of science, and linguistic issues in teaching science. The University's system of Professional Development Schools will serve as the setting for the science methods course and field experiences, and the project will work closely with teachers and students at these schools. A network will be established by the State Department of Education to disseminate plans and materials to other colleges and universities in the Florida. The University's cost- sharing is 15% of NSF's contribution.
