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
1. The Inquiry Method of teaching and learning science
2. Ways of Knowing (scientific method & Indigenous Knowledge)
3. Interactions between culture and science: contributions of individuals from diverse backgrounds to the development of science and technology and the effect of scientific discoveries on society
4. John McCoy (lulilaš) Since Time Immemorial: Tribal Sovereignty science lessons focused on Pacific Northwest tribal salmon stories and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK)
5. Life Science: classifying living things and plant and animal basic needs
6. Earth and Space Science: astronomy, weather, climate, mapping water and land, environmental choices
7. Physical Science: properties of matter, states of matter, waves (light and sound), force and motion
8. Engineering Connections: defining problems, creating solutions, testing solutions
9. Laboratory equipment use and safety practices
10. Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) organizational framework, including the Environmental and Sustainability Standards
11. Implementation of developmentally appropriate science practices for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and primary children
Student Outcomes
1. Describe how science and technology have affected individuals, cultures, and societies throughout human history.
2. Compare the distinguishing features of Indigenous scientific practices (traditional\ ecological knowledge) and Western scientific methodologies using specific examples from Pacific Northwest tribes to address a current ecological problem.
3. Recognize core concepts of life science, physical sciences, earth and space sciences, and engineering in the birth through grade 3 curriculum.
4. Safely use laboratory tools to conduct investigations to answer scientific questions and/or solve engineering problems in natural science.
5. Create developmentally appropriate, accessible, and culturally sustaining inquirybased lesson plans for children from kindergarten through grade three using the content knowledge learned in this course aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
Degree Outcomes
Natural Sciences: 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
1. Objective tests
2. Essay tests
3. Discussions
4. Class presentations
5. Written assignments
6. Lesson plans
7. Group projects
8. Lab demonstrations and observations
9. Peer review
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