Goals

The specific objectives of our NSF IUSE Track 1 project are to:

1. Develop, implement, and evaluate six LPMs in two integrated science courses for preservice elementary teachers; 

2. Develop, host, and identify impacts of two mini-conferences as a context in which to

   • Share findings and materials of this project and 

   • Engage post-secondary STEM and science teacher education faculty from 2- and 4-year institutions to seek solutions to common issues related to supporting preservice elementary teachers’ STEM learning; and 

3. Research and disseminate, through quantitative and qualitative methods,

   • If and how LPMs impact preservice elementary teachers’ science understandings and 

   • If and how preservice elementary teachers take up ideas from the LPMs during episodes of microteaching in their subsequent elementary science teaching methods class. 

While LPs have been previously researched in the context of preservice methods courses, they have not been implemented nor researched in the context of undergraduate science (content) courses. The research and evaluation included in this project has strong potential to advance knowledge about preservice elementary teachers’ science education and support highly effective Pk-6 STEM teaching through improved preservice elementary teacher STEM education. The NSF IUSE: EHR Program supports research and development projects to improve the effectiveness of STEM education for all students. Through the Engaged Student Learning track, the program supports the creation, exploration, and implementation of promising practices and tools.