Faculty Scholarly Dissemination Grants

Integrating climate change for elementary pre-service teachers

Department

Biology Department

College

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Date Range

2012-2013

Disciplines

Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Abstract

We will discuss the successes and challenges we have faced in developing and teaching an integrated science course for elementary preservice teachers on global climate change. This inquiry-based, interdisciplinary course is co-taught by a geologist and biologist, focusing on earth science concepts such as natural and anthropogenic influences of climate change and the evidence and impacts of climate change, and life science concepts such as biomes, biodiversity, evolution, ecosystems, and phenology. We explicitly teach nature of science and science process skills throughout the course. Several challenges remain: (1) some students dislike switching between two professors throughout the semester; (2) logistical difficulties result from working with multiple instructors each semester; and (3) students resist quantitative elements of science. Our experience, and data collected, suggests that our approach could be used as a model for institutions interested in applying a collaborative, team-teaching, and integrated approach to science course development for preservice elementary teachers.

Conference Name

NSTA National Conference

Conference Location

San Antonio, TX

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