NSCI 300 Inquiry Based Science for Teachers (5 credits)
Distribution Area Fulfilled Natural Sciences with Lab; General Transfer Elective
Prerequisite Admission into the BAS-T program.
Course Description
An overview of using inquiry to teach the main concepts of natural science as outlined in the Next Generation Science Standards for early childhood teachers, including topics in earth/space science, life science, physical science, and engineering design. Lab included.
Course Content
A. Culture and Science
B. Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
C. The Inquiry Method
D. Laboratory Tools and Safety
E. Life Science: living things, plants, animals, survival, ecology, biogeography
F. Earth and Space Science: astronomy, weather, climate, mapping water and land, environmental choices
G. Physical Science: properties of matter, change, waves (light and sound), forces, interactions
H. Engineering Connections: defining problems, creating solutions, testing solutions
Student Outcomes
1. Explain the interactions between culture and science, including the contributions of individuals from diverse backgrounds to the development of science and technology, and how science and technology have affected individuals, cultures, and societies throughout human history.
2. Integrate the three dimensions of the Next Generation Science Standards as an organizational framework for selecting grade-level-appropriate curriculum within earth and space sciences, life sciences, physical sciences, and engineering design.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of basic concepts of life science, physical sciences, earth and space sciences, and engineering needed to support the scientific exploration of children from birth through grade three.
4. Conduct investigations to answer scientific questions and/or solve engineering problems in natural science, while using tools effectively and identifying safety precautions to take during the investigation.
5. Create inquiry-based lesson plans for children from kindergarten through grade three using the content knowledge learned in this course and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
Degree Outcomes
STEM: Graduates use the scientific method to analyze natural phenomena and acquire skills to evaluate authenticity of data/information relative to the natural world.
Information Literacy: Graduates will be critical users, creators, and disseminators of information by examining how information is created, valued, and influenced by power and privilege.
Lecture Contact Hours 40
Lab Contact Hours 20
Clinical Contact Hours 0
Total Contact Hours 60
Potential Methods
Objective tests
Essay tests
Discussions
Class presentations
Written assignments
Lesson plans
Group projects
Lab demonstrations and observations
Peer review
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