Preservice elementary teachers are faced with the daunting task of learning enough about every subject to support their students' development of foundational ideas. Teacher preparation programs and professional development providers therefore have the challenge of supporting those preservice and in-service teachers by providing content and methods…

National science education documents emphasize new learning outcomes of elementary students; therefore, the preparation of elementary teachers should be revised to meet these challenges. This article describes how science educators at a large southeastern university developed specialized science training for elementary preservice teachers (EPSTs)…

Many undergraduate students will experience being taught by graduate teaching assistants (GTAs); therefore, focusing on GTA pedagogy is in the best interest of the students and university as a whole. Based on a Masters of Arts in Teaching program, a 5-week intensive summer training session for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics…

In late 2011, we created a Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL) program focused on improving student performance in high-risk STEM courses. Our PALs are modeled after the Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) program, which has been shown to provide long- and short-term benefits to both students (Chan & Bauer, 2015; Gosser, Kampeier, & Pratibha, 2010;…

This article describes the implementation of high-altitude balloon (HAB) research into a variety of undergraduate atmospheric science classes as a means of increasing active student engagement in real-world, problem-solving events. Because high-altitude balloons are capable of reaching heights of 80,000-100,000 ft (24-30 km), they provide a…

Quantitative reasoning is a key intellectual skill, applicable across disciplines and best taught in the context of authentic, relevant problems. Here, I describe and assess a laboratory exercise that has students calculate their "carbon footprint" and evaluate the impacts of various behavior choices on that footprint. Students gather…

Funding agencies and the science education community at large have pursued strategies for increasing K-12 outreach by scientists and for improving instructional practices in higher education classrooms. However, the simultaneous achievement of both goals is generally not a target for single projects or even single programs. A 4-year project…

Three college faculty taught large general biology classes using case studies and personal response systems (clickers). Each instructor taught the same eight cases in two different sections, except the questions within the cases differed. In one section the questions were lower order (LO) factual inquiries, and in the other they were largely…

This article provides some tips for success in facilitating teamwork. Working collaboratively is common in science and the functioning of teams has a large impact on both the implementation of a research project and student satisfaction with the experience. The strategies are divided into what can be done to minimize problems from the start and…

Describes the conducting of three experimental courses by using texts, programmed supplements, lab manuals, behavioral objective sets, study guides, and tutoring and lecturing techniques in instruction. Indicates the feasibility of this model in institutions that can not use strict Keller Plan systems. (CC)

Describes a program designed to give graduate teaching assistants preservice instruction. Learning modules focus on teaching skills. (MA)

Introduces packaged learning modules in environmental and applied sciences education, general-education courses with emphases on chemistry impact on various institutions, methods of presenting homework solutions by tape cassettes, and experimental approaches to teaching of science for inservice elementary teachers in Vancouver, Canada. (CC)

Presents the background and rationale for the Science as a Way of Knowing Project. Also offers suggestions for incorporating the teaching of science as a way of knowing into science classes in general and in the teaching of evolution in college courses in particular. (JN)

Describes a two semester, 26 module introductory level course in anatomy and physiology. Includes an evaluation of the program. (MA)

One effective method to improve the learning of science is through case study teaching. Teachers use realistic or true narratives to provide opportunities for students to integrate multiple sources of information in an authentic context, and may engage students with ethical and societal problems related to their discipline. However, little…