I am the Program Coordinator for this MAT. This new program was designed by science faculty working in cooperation with the Education Department and with local educators to provide initial licensure in general science. The eight science courses of the sequence focus in providing experiential learning and content materials responsive to the demands of the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. For more information and application forms please see the Salem State graduate school website.
There are articles everyday about what's needed to create scientifically educated Americans. You who work with our students have the best information - so how about sharing your ideas tell me - what do you think?
The introductory course in the program IDS 705 explored issues related to teaching science in the 21st century including differentiating science from psuedoscience and naive science; distinguishing good science from bad science, as well as ways to use local resources to create lesson plans. A local field trip to the Forest River Conservation Area introduced participants to possibilities of multidisciplinary projects. A few images from IDS 705 are shown below.
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In one of Salem State College's smart classrooms in Central Campus, students in IDS 705 evaluate sites for science content and context. |
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A student discovers that using software to create a concept map can be a lot of fun! |
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Contiguous to Salem State's South Campus is the part of the Forest River Conservation Area. This natural laboratory offers easy access to the estuarine environment where the transition from brackish to fresh water can be explored. |
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Three students in IDS 705 stand at the start of the trail for a morning of brainstorming about ideas for middle school field projects. |
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The marsh grass spartina grows along the banks of Forest River in this area. |
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The muddy banks indicate brackish rather than fresh water conditions. |
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Phragmites encroaching onto the marsh. |