Before this program was created, much consideration was given to what was missing from other masters degree programs in science education and what in-service teachers needed.
Close examination of other degree programs within commuting distance of UM-D led to the conclusion that no other program considered pedagogy when teaching science content.
In discussions with administrators in local school districts and in conversations with SOE graduate students in existing programs, we learned that elementary in-service teachers are facing growing pressure to include more content using prescribed pedagogy and that choices about what to include in lesson plans frequently set aside science content in favor of other subjects such as reading and writing.
Research suggests that integration of reading and writing into science is not only feasible but also beneficial for K-8 students. We learned that secondary teachers seek ways to make traditional science courses, such as biology and chemistry, more relevant to their students by including environmental issues. We also learned that teachers are not well prepared to teach science for all students as recommended by the National Science Foundation.
The Master of Science Education at the University of Michigan-Dearborn addresses both these needs in separate tracks of the program. - In track I, K-8 teachers learn how to integrate reading and writing and science.
- Track II focuses on the environmental aspects of science and teaching science. Both of these tracks are unique to the state of Michigan.
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