No CrossRef data available.
Article contents
Using Nanoscience as a Theme for Capstone Projects in an Elementary Education Majors Science Course
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 March 2013
Abstract
The national interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) has called attention to P-12 education, the STEM pipeline. Education of teachers is a primary influence on the education of children in the classroom. While high school (and often middle school) teachers are versed in the content of a particular aspect of STEM (e.g. Mathematics or Chemistry), elementary teachers, on the other end of the pipeline, are educated as generalists, with a primary goal of setting the foundations for future learning.
In 2004, a team of STEM and education faculty at St. Catherine University (SCU) was called together, united by their interest in improving STEM education for all students at SCU, particularly women. Combining the content expertise of the biology, chemistry, physics/engineering, and mathematics departments with the methods expertise of the education department, the team designed courses that made STEM concepts more engaging and relevant to students. In 2010, the STEM Certificate was solidified and required of all elementary education students. It is comprised of three interdisciplinary, team-taught, lab based courses that are open to all undergraduate majors at the institution. Each course is centered on one discipline (i.e. biology, chemistry, or engineering/physics). Chemistry of Life is the chemistry-focused course. The course was designed to include a capstone project. As an introduction to materials science, nanoscience was selected as the theme for the projects. The topic allowed for socially relevant and also highly interdisciplinary projects. Students working in teams of three or four, designed projects, determined how to measure and obtain data, and analyzed and interpreted results. A content and confidence assessment given to students before and after the projects showed an increase in both their understanding of nanomaterials and their confidence in conducting a nanoscience project.
- Type
- Articles
- Information
- Copyright
- Copyright © Materials Research Society 2013
References
REFERENCES
Norman, A., Is America Falling off a Flat Earth? (The National Academy Press, Washington DC, 2007). p.17.Google Scholar
Keunzi, J., J. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education: Background, Federal Policy and Legislative Options. (Washington D.C., Congressional Research Service, 2008). p.11.Google Scholar
Committee on Science, Engineering and Public Policy, Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future. (National Academy of Sciences, Washington DC, 2005). p. 162.Google Scholar
National Science Board, National action plan for addressing the critical needs of the U.S. science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education system. (National Science Foundation, Arlington VA, 2007). p. 23.Google Scholar
National Research Council, Educating teachers of science, mathematics, and technology: New practices for the new millennium. (National Academies Press, Washington DC, 2000). p. 111.Google Scholar
National Science Board, Preparing the next generation of STEM innovators: Identifying and developing our nation’s human capital. (National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA, 2010). p. 17.Google Scholar
Murphy, T. and Mancini-Samuelson, G., Journal of College Science Teaching
42(2). 26 (2012).Google Scholar
Koether, M., McGarey, D., Patterson, M., and Williams, D., Journal of Chemical Education
79(8). 934 (2002).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Iimoto, D. and Frederick, K., Journal of Chemical Education
88(8). 1069 (2011).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
nanosense.org (2004) SRI International (website).Google Scholar
http://www.nnin.org/nnin_edu.html
(2004) National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network (website).Google Scholar
At the date this paper was written, URLs or links referenced herein were deemed to be useful supplementary material to this paper. Neither the author nor the Materials Research Society warrants or assumes for the content or availability of URLs referenced in this paper.
Google Scholar