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Nature of course request C00282 :

New course

Undergraduate

First term offered :
Course Prefix&Number	Descriptive Title	Credits/Hours
GS 325	Science Inquiry and Design for K-8 Teachers	3 -

Abbreviation for Class Schedule(20 spaces) K8 Inquiry & Design

Catalog Description: GS 325 provides students with a framework for development of pedagogical content knowledge for teaching of science. The course introduces future teachers to process-oriented learning, the nature of scientific inquiry and the application of science technology in grades K-8. The course will examine relevant scientific content through appropriate instructional methods, materials and curricula for effective teaching of life, Earth and physical sciences. Lecture and laboratory are combined in two 2-hour sessions per week. Prerequisite: Introductory lab science course (e.g., BI 101, ES 104, or ES 106) or consent of instructor.

Course Goal and Objectives: The focus of GS 325 will be on both the pedagogical process and essential content of science teaching at the elementary level. Students successfully completing GS 325 will: 1. Demonstrate understanding of key scientific content outlined in the National and State Science Content Standards; 2. Demonstrate understanding of scientific inquiry and engineering design; 3. Demonstrate knowledge of science teaching pedagogy as outlined by the National Science Teachers Association Professional Development Standards. 4. Design and teach developmentally appropriate science inquiry and engineering design activities for elementary and/or middle school children. 5. Demonstrate an ability to cohesively combine content and process by developing lesson plans to teach K-8 life, Earth and physical science.

Justification for adding the course (e.g. alignment with other institutions, program revision, etc.): New Oregon State Science Standards have been adopted by the 2009 Oregon legislature for all public K-12 schools. These new standards will be phased in over the next year and necessitate the redesign of the current science methods courses so that these new standards are reflected. These new science standards are based on four core areas (Structure and Function; Interaction and Change; Scientific Inquiry; Engineering Design) and are significantly different from the previous versions. In addition to a new core area of Engineering Design, these standards use a vertical articulation approach where life, Earth and physical science content are integrated throughout K-8 grades (this is a radical change in approach from the old science standards where a specific grade level would focus on a single science content area). GS 325 will use an integrated instructional approach by applying life, Earth and physical science content to the two core areas of Scientific Inquiry and Engineering Design. The old GS 311, 312, 313W method courses were focused on a specific science content area and do not reflect the instructional approach emphasized in the new 2009 Standards.

Faculty and facilities needed: No new faculty or facilities are needed. The course will be taught in the current GS 311, 312, 313W classroom (NS 125) and will follow a similar teaching rotation. After a phase-in period, GS 325 will be the required elementary science methods course with GS 311, 312, 313W available to be taught occasionally as electives. GS 325 will be a 4-FTE course replacing the 6-FTE GS 311, 312, 313W courses so a net reduction in FTE will occur. It is anticipated that GS 325 will be offered six times per year similar to the current GS 311, 312, 313W offerings.

Brief Course outline: see attachment for brief outline

Approval Queue C00282

Attached Files:

GS_325_Course_Request_Nov24.doc

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