If you want to make a difference in the life of our nation; if you want to make a difference in the life of a child - become a teacher. Your country needs you.
–
President Barack Obama (1/25/11)
Science Education
Welcome to the Department of Science Education! Are you looking for an exciting profession where the end of every day will bring you the satisfaction of knowing that you really made a difference? Are you fascinated by the natural world and curious about how things work? Do you love working with children, adolescents, or adults? If so, you really should look into the opportunities in Science Education.
The Department of Science Education at CSU, Chico is an interdisciplinary community of faculty, staff, and students from the College of Natural Sciences with an integrated and holistic view of science. In association with our colleagues in the School of Education, we serve as a crucible for innovation and research in science teaching and learning, as collaborative partners with science teachers in public and private schools, and as a model of excellence in science teacher education. We are committed to providing the North State region, the State of California, and the nation with rigorous, high-quality, up-to-date programs in science teacher subject matter preparation and professional development while contributing to an expanding knowledge base of theory, research, and practice.
Features
Our New Classroom - Holt 291 Gets a Facelift
This spring the Department of Science Education fulfilled a long-term goal of creating a model classroom space for science education.
Atkins Awarded an NSF Grant to Study Transformative Experiences
Dr. Leslie Atkins and her collaborator Dr. Brian Frank at Middle Tennessee State University were awarded a $200,000 Transforming Undergraduate Education grant from the National Science Foundation.
Salter Named Educator of the Year
Dr. Irene Salter was presented the Educator of the Year Award by the Chico Rotary on Tuesday, April 24th, 2012.
Monet Earns Teacher Quality Grant
The multi-year project will support 120 more teachers in inland California to help them increase student achievement in their classrooms.
Monet Paper Published in Journal of Geoscience Education
Dr. Julie Monet and Dr. Todd Greene (CSU Chico Geology Department) have published a paper entitled "Using Google Earth and Satellite Imagery to Foster Place-Based Teaching in an Introductory Physical Geology Course" in the most recent issue of Journal of Geoscience Education. The paper examines methods of making learning more meaningful, by incorporating elements from the local and regional landscape into a semester long course project.
Atkins Earns Professional Achievement Honors
The Faculty Recognition and Support Committee has selected Dr. Leslie Atkins for 2011–2012 Professional Achievement Honors. This honor recognizes faculty who have excelled as teacher/scholars during the past three years. Atkins has earned two significant grants from the National Science Foundation, one as the principal investigator for “Student-Generated Scientific Inquiry” and the other as the co-principal investigator for “Building a Life Science Curriculum for Elementary Teachers.”
Chico Grad Wins NSTA Fellowship
Robert Hoffman, 29, a biology teacher at Pajaro Valley High School, was awarded the National Science Teacher Association (NSTA) Fellowship for 2011. The yearlong professional development program is designed to promote quality science teaching, increase teacher confidence, advance classroom excellence and develop deeper science knowledge.
Dr. Salter Earns CSU Research Award
Dr. Irene Salter has recently won a CSU Research Award entitled “Assessing Students’ Understanding of the Nature of Science.” The project seeks to determine the best way to teach students about the nature of science (NOS).