The Transforming Science for Teachers (TST) project at Eastern Kentucky University is designed to restructure the "smorgasbord" course plan presently in place for preservice elementary/middle school teachers. Two currently taught courses (BIO 100 and PHY 101) will be restructured to include Kentucky Core Content and National Science Education Standards. There will be collaboration of project team members to restructure the courses. Team members include university science faculty, science education faculty, graduate laboratory teaching assistants, and practicing elementary/middle school (PRISM) teachers. Two outside consultants will be utilized in the initial planning phase. The consultants chosen, have had experience in developing a standards-based course for education majors.

Course activities will be planned to be congruent with the Constructivist Teaching/Learning Model. Science education faculty will model instruction for science faculty and teaching assistants. Some lessons taught during the implementation phase will be video taped for reflection and discussion by the project team. Student evaluation will be constructed based on state and national science content standards for teachers. Evaluation data will be obtained in both the restructured courses and non-restructured courses. This will allow for a comparative analysis of outcomes and extrapolation to the total science teaching program.

Results will be disseminated locally, regionally, and nationally as appropriate.

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