General Science

General Competencies

Teach competently all the course offerings and special programs within his/her field of certification at the Middle, Junior or Senior High School level.

Develop an understanding of, and an ability to make application of, the scientific method in all related science course offerings.

Assume a leadership role in curriculum planning, evaluation, and innovative science programming.

Demonstrate and incorporate in his/her teaching a breadth of laboratory and field experience.

Demonstrate an understanding of the needs of students from varying ability groups and backgrounds in developing, implementing and evaluating science education programs.

Incorporate meaningful programs and experiences in his/her teaching that provide students with an understanding of the relationship of science and technology to community and world problems.

General Science

Demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts and principles of Biology, Chemistry, Earth-Space Science and Physics.

Demonstrate an understanding of the general and specific technological contexts in which scientific facts, concepts, principles, and processes are applied.

Demonstrate the ability to select appropriate research findings and processes for use in instructional activities.

Demonstrate the knowledge and understanding necessary for the integration of instruction across scientific disciplines and the transfer of concepts and processes from one science to other sciences, technologies, and non-science fields.

Demonstrate an understanding of the application of the scientific method which will include: observing, classifying, communicating, measuring hypothesizing, inferring, designing investigations and experiments, collecting and analyzing date, and drawing conclusions and making generalizations.

Demonstrate the mathematical skills necessary for scientific problem-solving and decision-making. including the basic operations with whole number, fractions and decimals, coordinate graphing, and simple one-unknown equations.

Demonstrate competence when using a microcomputer as a science teaching tool to facilitate student teaching learning.

Demonstrate an understanding of the consequences of science and technology on the human race and the environment.

Demonstrate the ability to plan and implement meaningful student-centered educational experiences outside the regular classroom, utilizing the immediate area-- its local Earth-Space Systems, Ecosystems and examples of Science-Technology at work.

Demonstrate an understanding of the safety procedures necessary in the laboratory setting and the teacher's responsibility for student safety.

In addition to the above objectives common to all four concentrations, the graduate will demonstrate specific knowledge, understanding, and skill unique to the selected concentration. This will be achieved through additional study and course work in the concentration.