The AYA Science Education Program is committed to providing a National Science
Education Standards-based education for pre-service teachers. Significant activities
include a "Meet the Scientist" multi-genre project in which students research the
lives, times, and contributions of scientists from diverse cultures and the construction
of a simulation lesson addressing Science in Personal and Community Perspectives
standards.
The curriculum of the AYA Science Education Program places a strong emphasis on
the scientific inquiry standards of the NSES. Students in the AYA Science Education
Program are required to complete a one semester, three credit-hour inquiry course
focusing on Life Science or Physical Science. Students also have opportunities to
conduct research in science laboratories with faculty in the College of Arts and
Sciences and participate in the University Summer Scholars Program.
The teacher education programs at Miami are committed to providing pre-service
teachers experiences working with students from diverse cultural, racial, and
socioeconomic backgrounds. During their junior year, AYA Science Education
students complete two field experiences as part of their second methods course. One
experience is completed in a diverse educational setting and the other in a non-diverse
setting.
Students complete a 16-week student teaching experience, usually during the fall
semester. Student teaching opportunities are available on Native American
reservations and internationally in Europe, Australia, and the Azores as well as
locally at an environmental camp setting.
Pre-service teachers in the AYA Science Education Program complete a Science
Teaching Collection during their second methods course. The collection of student-generated
materials prepares pre-service teachers for the Praxis III assessment and
future National Board Certification processes.
The AYA Science Education Program initiates the professional development of preservice
teachers by requiring that they join a professional science teaching
organization during their first methods course. Students join organizations such as
the National Science Teachers Association, National Association of Biology
Teachers, American Chemical Society, or any similar professional organization.
Students are also encouraged to attend regional and national conferences sponsored
by professional organizations.
Miami University also has its own professional science education organization
(Miami University Science Educators, MUSE) that students are encouraged to
participate in its service and professional growth activities. MUSE coordinates
student teaching panels, hosts talks by Nationally Board Certified teachers, sponsors
"Sibling Mornings" at the Regional Science Fair as well as coordinates trips to area
science related field trips to area science education facilities. In addition, MUSE has
been awarded over $10000 in funding over the past ten years to help fund trips to the
national NSTA conventions for its members to attend.
