596 Curriculum Trends in Science Education

Course Description:
Curriculum Trends in Science Education: Analysis of elementary and secondary curriculum projects for
biological, physical, and environmental sciences, impact of current learning theories on future development projects.
Prereq: 496, or Early Childhood Education 422 Early Childhood Teaching Methods, or equivalent. Prereq or coreq: 565
or consent of instructor. (3 hours)

Summer Dates - Summer Term 2004
Classes Begin - Tuesday, June 1
First Session Ends - Friday, July 2

Objectives (sample)

l.   Plan and teach science lessons based on inquiry.
2.  Produce a collection of age-appropriate strategies and accompanying resources.
3.  Develop a literacy of national organizations and initiatives.
4.  Develop an ethic relating to the importance of diversity in an ever-changing educational world..
5.  Align National, State, and local expections for science education..

• ACEI - Association for Childhood Education International
• NSTA - National Science Teachers Association
• NCATE - National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education
• Tennessee Science Standards - Written by Tennessee Science Teachers for Tennessee Department of Education. [A pdf of the TN Framework is available at: http://cesme.utm.edu/resources/science/k12sci.pdf .]
• "No Child Left Behind" - Federal Legislation of 2001
• Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) - Ratings of technology strategies and necessary teacher proficiencies by expert panels as well as a searchable database of technology tools and resources.(under construction, but should be ready by Summer Semester 03)
• Education Reform - Federal legislation relating to K-12 education.
• NCISE - National Center for the Improvement of Science Education