Shifting Science Curriculum With Story Lines and Engineering: Redesigning Elementary Preservice Teacher Methods Courses for Next Generation Science Standards

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session 8
  In Roundtable Session: Preparing Future Science Teachers in a New Era

Abstract

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) introduce disciplinary core ideas in engineering, technology and applications of science. The addition of these dimensions demand a revision of science methods courses for preservice teachers. We present curricular and pedagogical shifts for preparing preservice elementary teachers in science education. These shifts model the anchoring of instruction in the engineering design process, the interconnectedness of the three dimensions of NGSS and designing solutions for real world problems embedded in a set of storylines for fourth grade science instruction. Research results from this study provide specific examples of change in pedagogies and curriculum design that emerged from engagements with other science education faculty, self-study and through student interviews and work artifacts.

Authors

• Michele Ann Korb, California State University - East Bay

• Jenna Porter, California State University - Sacramento