Teaching as Principled Practice
EDU 248 : Science Connections
The course is worth .25 credit.
This syllabus is electronically interactive. As such it will be updated over the course of the semester (look for current updates at the bottom of the page). Think about this syllabus as a contract; you are responsible for the information in it, even if I never bring it up in class. Reread it regularly over the course of the semester.
Instructor
Michele Koomen:  Education Department, Mattson Hall, Office 121
Phone:  Office: 507.933.6057; Cell: 507.420.4590
Fax:  (507) 933-6020
Email:  mkoomen@gac.edu
Web Site:  http://www.gac.edu/~mkoomen/
Office Hours:  Monday and Tuesday 12:30 to 1:30pm and Friday from 4:00 to 5:00pm; other times by appointment (sign up sheet posted outside of my office).
 I am available at other times by appointment. 
 
Access to Education:
Every student has a right to learn and to participate in this class. I recognize that we all learn differently. If you have learning challenges, please see me about how we can work together to support your learning needs. Bring any documentation and suggestions about how I may assist you. We will work together to make this a great learning experience for you.
 Text Requirements for EDU 248:

A Civil Action by Jonathan Herr
Stuff: The Simple Life of Everyday Things
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
Beyond Oil by Kenneth S. Deffeyes
The Better Word Shopping Guide by Ellis Jones

There will be other readings provided by the instructor or available on the Internet or at the library.

 
 
Course Objectives

This course will integrate, apply and connect concepts of life, earth, and physical science with discussion of environmental challenges found in our natural world.

From The GAC Course Catalog: This course is required for elementary education science concentrations and science secondary teaching majors, this course facilitates science teachers making connections among various genres of science. Spring semester.
EDU 248 Requirements
  • Attendance at each class session.
  • Thoughtful participation with evidence of preparation (reading and research) in our class conversations.
  • Partnered resolution and presentation of an inquiry question of research.
  • Identification of resources for teaching environmental science with connections in life, earth, and physical science (TBA).
  • Visit an environmental learning center (ELC) (Wolf Ridge: February 16-18) or other residential ELC
  • Final synthesis paper (TBA).


Schedule for EDU 248

Date
Time
Readings and Assignments
Topics
Class 1:
Monday, February 5
5:30-6:30pm, Mattson Hall 104
Intro to course
Begin: A Civil Action & A Silent Spring
Intro to course
Class 2:
February 26
2 hours
Stuff: Selected chapters
Better world (selections)
Additional articles
Start: An Inconvenient truth
Threading the domains of science together: Environmental science

What is the nature of science?
Why is Pluto no longer a planet?
The role of inquiry in science
Class 3: Environmental learning center
Class 4
March 12
2 hours
Stuff Book: Prologue, Newspaper, Bike and Car, T-shirt, Shoes & Cola

The Better Shopping Guide, read pages 1-16 and the shopping guide pages for: Airlines, Body Care, Cars, Cleaning products, Crackers, Energy drinks, Gasoline, Laundry Supplies, Paper Towels and Toilet Paper, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Retail Stores, Salad dressing, Shoes, Soda, Conclusion and at least three other products that you are interested in or use.

Finish: An Inconvenient Truth
Bringing together A Civil Action and Silent Spring

What is the nature of science?
Why is Pluto no longer a planet?
The role of inquiry in science

Using Academic Controversy to explore different perspectives on Global Climate Change (1)
Class 5
March 26
2 hours
Finish: A Civil Action & Silent Spring

Academic Controversy
Comparing A Civil Action and Silent Spring

Using inquiry in research
Environmental education

Academic Controversy with Global Climate change: taking positions and switching perspectives.

Class 6

April 16
2 hours
Begin: Beyond Oil (chapters 1-5)
Environmental education
Water as a natural resource and equity (1)
Class 7
April 30
2 hours
Finish Beyond Oil (finish)
Inquiry Presentations (PPT)
Water as a natural resource and equity (2)
Class 8
May 7
2 hours
Sharing of Environmental Ed resources

Stuff Book: Prologue, Newspaper, Bike and Car, T-shirt, Shoes & Cola

The Better Shopping Guide, read pages 1-16 and the shopping guide pages for: Airlines, Body Care, Cars, Cleaning products, Crackers, Energy drinks, Gasoline, Laundry Supplies, Paper Towels and Toilet Paper, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Retail Stores, Salad dressing, Shoes, Soda, Conclusion and at least three other products that you are interested in or use.

Additional articles
Environmental justice with global climate change and water as a natural resource
Monday, May 14, 2007
Final Paper Due: Send to mkoomen@gac.edu (MS Word document)
 
 

Spring EDU 248 and PEPER II: Form I-D

Evidence of Standards in EDU 248
Minnesota Board of Teacher Licensure:
Teachers of Elementary Education

A teacher of children in kindergarten through grade 6 must demonstrate a fundamental knowledge of scientific perspectives, scientific connections, science in personal and social perspectives, the domains of science, and the methods and materials for teaching science and scientific inquiry. The teacher must:

1) understand science as a human endeavor, the nature of scientific knowledge, and the historical perspective of science; Readings on the nature of science (Internet) and discussion throughout the course.
3) know how to make connections across the domains of science, between science and technology, and between science and other school subjects; Synthesis paper; discussion of environmental topics; presentation of partnered environmental topic research (EDU 248).
4) use scientific understandings and abilities when making decisions about personal and societal issues; Synthesis paper; discussion of environmental topics; presentation of partnered environmental topic research (EDU 248).

Updated:  March 12, 2007