Dr. Sally Ride
The Concentration in Teaching Science (The Sally Ride Science Teaching Program) helps science educators inspire their students in K-8 classrooms. Learn the most current techniques and best practices that will expose students to the diversity of working in the science fields, as well as tools for igniting interest and making science meaningful.
Developed in collaboration with Sally Ride Science, founded by Dr. Sally Ride of NASA fame, this concentration uniquely supports your dedication to bringing STEM education to young students. The three-course sequence helps you advance your knowledge and skills to become a more effective science educator.
Through American College of Education and Sally Ride Science, you can positively influence students’ attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs about science. With an emphasis on learning from the latest research in inquiry-based teaching, the STEM-based program helps you influence engagement and dramatically improve student test scores.
Whether taken in conjunction with an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction or as a stand-alone concentration, this program is your key to providing exceptional science instruction. With the added benefits of affordability, flexibility, and convenience, the Concentration in Teaching Science (The Sally Ride Science Teaching Program) is designed to help keep the working science educator in the classroom.
This podcast, developed in conjunction with WeAreTeachers.com, features Dr. Sally Ride, Dr. Karen Flammer, and additional educators from American College of Education, as they discuss critical issues surrounding science education in America. Listen to the podcast >
The Teaching Science concentration courses may be taken as a three-course concentration or individually for graduate credit.
Educators will examine current knowledge of students' interest, attitudes, and achievement in science and factors that influence each. Educators will also learn a four-part framework for igniting students' interest in science by doing hands-on activities related to science careers and practice ways to incorporate this framework into science and nonfiction literacy instruction. Course work will focus on strategies that increase students' engagement, interest and achievement in science.
Educators will investigate key findings on how students' learn science as well as teaching strategies grounded in this research. This course offers a series of readings, problem-solving activities, reflections, and discussions through which educators will develop an effective approach to teaching any science concept. Through these activities, issues of cognition, culture, and pedagogy will come up that will be similar to issues educators face in today's classrooms. As a result of this course, educators will develop pedagogical principles, outlooks, knowledge, and skills that will inform their teaching practices.
Educators will explore planning, implementing, and evaluating science curriculum. Educators will design lessons and practice teaching strategies which foster students' engagement in science, science literacy, inquiry skills, and personal connection to science. This course uses a variety of technology tools for learning and teaching.
When the Concentration in Teaching Science (The Sally Ride Science Teaching Program) is taken in conjunction with a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, the following courses complete the degree program.
This course develops competencies in utilizing formative and summative assessment practices and data to inform and guide curriculum development and instruction. Classroom and school-based assessment tools provide teachers with the knowledge and skills required to meet the needs of diverse learners. Embracing assessment is the first step towards "data-based" decision-making in education. View Course Intro Video
Through classroom application of course content, this course provides students with substantial practical experience as they master and implement preventive and positive classroom management strategies. In addition, students acquire both theoretical and practical knowledge about the relationships between school-wide systems and behavioral development, learning and achievement among students with diverse needs. View Course Intro Video
This course enables students to become informed consumers of educational research and to develop skills that prepare them to carry out action research in their schools and classrooms. An emphasis is placed on providing students with knowledge that they can apply in determining whether particular research findings are relevant to their leadership and instructional practices and to distinguish between trustworthy and non-trustworthy research. Throughout the course, students identify the elements that scientifically based research and action research share. Emphasis is placed on how research can become a vital and relevant tool for teachers and school leaders.
This course prepares students to implement a school-wide leadership initiative to improve a comprehensive range of literacy skills. Specific principles and theories of reading instruction are evaluated in relation to currently employed practice so teachers can immediately strengthen instruction. Students examine the scientific research base underlying different models of reading instruction. Special attention is given to curriculum mapping, alignment, and the development of an implementation plan to strengthen literacy. View Course Intro Video
This course explores the critical roles teachers play in decision-making through the perspective of multiple stakeholders. Learners engage in leadership interactions to develop problem-solving skills and the ability to become change agents for continuous school improvement View Course Intro Video
This course assists students in developing rigorous, appropriate curriculum and instruction. Multiculturalism, culturally relevant pedagogy, differentiated instruction, and thematic, interdisciplinary unit planning are emphasized. Using a curricular framework, students plan, evaluate, reflect on, and adapt curricula experiences that build successful learning environments for all learners including English language learners. View Course Intro Video
This course focuses on the major theories, strategies, and applications utilized in P-12 standards-driven learning environments. Participants review and apply current literature and educational research studies concerning standards-based curriculum, implementation strategies and tools. View Course Intro Video
This course prepares teachers to establish high expectations for all students and to effectively evaluate and implement theories of motivation and cognitive engagement in classroom learning. Emphasis will be placed on different theories of motivation and how classroom, school, work, and social environments shape and influence student motivation. View Course Intro Video
This course examines the use of computer technology for managing 21st century classrooms and providing differentiated instructions to 21st century learners. Learners will evaluate their own use and their school district's use of technology and develop action plans for integration and change. View Course Intro Video
The Capstone Experience is designed for candidates to demonstrate and document the impact of their knowledge and competencies gained throughout and as a result of the Curriculum and Instruction program.