Science education faces a number of problems today: separating science into discrete disciplines; mixing majors and non-majors in the same courses; creating an adversarial, competitive climate which repels minority, female, and learning disabled students; ignoring the need for special science preparation for elementary education majors; failing to teach science skills and processes directly; and passive lecture/demonstration teaching without students experiencing much "real" science. The Natural World: Explorations in Science--an introductory, integrated science course for non-science and elementary education majors is laboratory-based and experientaly driven. It is designed around four major concepts matter and energy, change and constancy, diversity and order, and interactions with the following goals: To provide broad, integrated science knowledge To foster the development of effective process learning skills in science To prepare future elementary teachers * To create a continuing interest in science Methods include extensive writing, concept mapping, guided discovery laboratory experiences, reading in the history of science and popular journals, collaborative teams, library/Internet research, quantifying, computer modeling, problem solving, and critical thinking skills. Collaborations include teaming physics, chemistry, and biology faculty and a writing specialist to create the course with university science education faculty for project evaluation. The integrated course may serve as a model for introductory science courses at similar small colleges and teacher preparation institutions. Researchers plan to write articles, make presentations, and collaborate on producing the guided discovery materials for publication.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE)
Type
Standard Grant (Standard)
Application #
9555216
Program Officer
David W. Mogk
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1996-06-01
Budget End
1998-05-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1995
Total Cost
$100,000
Indirect Cost
Name
Westminster College of Salt Lake City
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Salt Lake City
State
UT
Country
United States
Zip Code
84105