NSF Awards: 2049983
The purpose of this project is to prepare science educators to be flexible in their pedagogical content strategies. There is a strong emphasis on appropriate and meaningful technology integration in both the in-person and distance learning environments. The project also incorporates informal learning opportunities to best prepare teacher candidates. The teacher candidates supported by the project will integrate large-scale environmental data, from their informal experiences, with technology-enhance computational thinking and analysis. Our partners in the New York City Metro area afford exclusive experiences for our teacher candidates to better prepare them for the workforce and the uncertainties of teaching in the 21st century. The ultimate goal of this project is to train teacher candidates to best inform the next generation of informed citizens who take intrinsic interest in science and make decisions based on evidence.
NSF Awards: 2049983
The purpose of this project is to prepare science educators to be flexible in their pedagogical content strategies. There is a strong emphasis on appropriate and meaningful technology integration in both the in-person and distance learning environments. The project also incorporates informal learning opportunities to best prepare teacher candidates. The teacher candidates supported by the project will integrate large-scale environmental data, from their informal experiences, with technology-enhance computational thinking and analysis. Our partners in the New York City Metro area afford exclusive experiences for our teacher candidates to better prepare them for the workforce and the uncertainties of teaching in the 21st century. The ultimate goal of this project is to train teacher candidates to best inform the next generation of informed citizens who take intrinsic interest in science and make decisions based on evidence.
Continue the discussion of this presentation on the Multiplex. Go to Multiplex
K. Renae Pullen
Science Specialist
Exciting project! How do you encourage the teacher candidates to replicate this connection of meaningful science learning experiences via informal science and community learning into their classrooms?
Salvatore Garofalo
Lecturer
Hello Renea,
Thank you for your comment and question. During the coursework for our certification programs, we bring back the concepts learned during the informal science experiences and have students apply them to planning, instructing, and assessing during curriculum building and pedagogical training. Although the candidates have these specific experiences, they are not exclusive from the rest of the program.
K. Renae Pullen
Ann Cavallo
Assistant Vice Provost and Director
Very nice work and great presentation (love the elephant toothpaste)! What have been the outcomes of your project? Have you determined if and to what extent your teacher graduates continue to implement the skills learned in their classrooms? Thank you!
Salvatore Garofalo
Lecturer
Hello Ann,
Thank you for your comment and question. The measurable outcomes so far have been that all of our teacher candidates in the program obtain certification and find jobs in high-needs schools. During our annual conference, many of our alumni return to present on specific pedagogical techniques some of which include their implementation of informal science experiences in the classroom. We also have informal conversations with our alumni where they express the benefits of the program in their teaching.
Ann Cavallo
Ann Cavallo
Assistant Vice Provost and Director
Perfect - glad you are engaging your alumni this way in promoting community - we do the same in our Noyce program. Great that you are connecting with the museum and aligning with NGSS also. Nice program!
Rhonda Christensen
Excellent video and I can see that your teacher candidates are very engaged in learning about teaching STEM! Nice job.
Andrew Jackson
This is very interesting and provides ideas of how to give our students in hands on science activities.
Brian Foley
Professor
I really like the way you are using technology for creativity and exploration rather than drilling students or guiding their learning. The connection with the Hall of Science seems great. What a wonderful environment for exploring science and learning.
Paige Evans
Thank you for sharing your video! I love all of the demonstrations. Approximately how many participate in the field excursion?
Salvatore Garofalo
Lecturer
Hello Paige,
Thank you for your comment and question! Participation in the field does vary year to year based on the number of scholarships awarded. Every scholarship recipient participates in the field work at Black Rock Forest and the New York Hall of Science. However, to directly answer your question, 7-20 teacher candidates and five faculty members.