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Department of Education
Emphasis in Teaching and Learning
Specialization in Science Education
The Science Education Specialization is housed within the Teaching and Learning Emphasis. Science Education courses and research projects draw from science education research, educational research in general, and multidisciplinary studies of science. Faculty and students typically study whole class and small group interactions in K-university science settings to examine issues ranging from equity and access, to instructional innovation, to scientific argumentation, to literate practices in science, to teachers' views related to the nature of science.
Faculty Associated with the Specialization in Science Education
Courses for the Specialization in Science Education
ED 206: Epistemology and Education
This course emphasizes the critical examination
of recent debates in epistemology and the philosophy of science
and reviews their implications for teaching, learning, and research
methodology. Contemporary epistemological positions from various
perspectives are considered including behaviorism, constructivism,
feminism, and postmodernism.
ED 258D: Seminar in Science Curriculum
This course reviews contemporary curricular
issues in science education. It examines curriculum theory, standards
for textbooks, analysis of curriculum materials, and evaluation
of curriculum implementation.
ED 286A: Contemporary and Historical Perspectives on Science Education
This course provides historical perspectives
and examines contemporary research issues in science education.
ED 286B: Science Education in Sociocultural Context
This course explores science and school
science studies from a sociocultural perspective. Central topics
for discussion include the social context of disciplinary knowledge,
problems of experimentation, ideological bias in research, feminist
critiques of science, the discourse of school science, multicultural
issues in science, and knowledge access issues.
ED 286C: Learning Theories and Instructional Practices in Science Education
This course focuses on contemporary research
issues related to the teaching and learning of science. Course
topics include constructivist theories of learning, activity theory,
groupwork instruction, project-based science, inquiry approaches
to teaching, multicultural science education, and science-technology-society
curriculum.
ED 286D: Issues of Gender and Ethnicity in Science and Science Education
This course examines recent scholarship
related to issues of gender and ethnicity in science and science
education. We explore institutional barriers in science education;
stories of women and ethnic minority scientists; the construction
of science, sex, and gender through the ages; issues of gender,
race/ethnicity, and class in science; feminist methods and philosophies
of science; and implications of science studies research for science
education.
ED 286E: Research on Science Teaching and Science Teacher Education
This course explores current research
on the professional development of science teachers; it focuses
on both preservice and inservice programs. Topics include an overview
of research on teaching and teacher education, teachers' knowledge
of science content and pedagogy, standards for science teachers
and science teacher education programs, and recommendations for
designing professional development opportunities.
Advanced Seminar in Science Education
The purpose of this course is to address professional issues related to science education: practice for conference presentations and job talks, instructions on how to prepare manuscripts, insight into review processes, and steps toward a thesis or dissertation. The seminar's agenda is set by the students.