EDUC 470 - Practicum in Middle School Science Education

3 Hour(s) Credit
Provides theoretical background and practical experience with current trends and issues in middle school science education. Consists of a distributed practicum in which candidates take part in a series of encounters in middle school classrooms, schools and/or afterschool programs requiring at least three hours per week in field placements. Not all of those encounters are necessarily in the same placement, but all are under the mentorship of a middle school science teacher. In conjunction with the practical encounters, candidates read appropriate background literature relating to middle school science instruction and complete assignments that combine ideas from reflections from their practical experiences, readings and additional resources located by the candidate. Additional 1.5 hours per week meeting with the instructor may be scheduled as needed.
Four hours per week.
Prerequisites EDFN 210, EDUC 304, ELED 312, 15 credits of science from at least three science department prefixes and junior standing, admission to Professional Teacher Education Program (PTEP) or permission of instructor. Candidates not accepted into the PTEP have to demonstrate readiness to work directly with middle school candidates in terms of knowledge, skills and dispositions, and may have to meet other requirements imposed by the school system for individuals working with children in the school.