An Integrated Physical, Earth, and Life Science Course for Pre-Service K-8 Teachers

Abstract

Most K-8 teachers have undergraduate majors in fields other than science, yet many of them teach life, Earth, and physical science. For these in-service teachers, understanding the basic concepts of the K-8 science curriculum is a challenge. Here we report on a one-semester science course at Michigan State University that was developed to address the need of pre-service K-8 teachers to understand the basic concepts of life, Earth, and physical science. We use an Earth system science approach to explore the basic concepts of astronomy, meteorology, hydrology, and geology. This Earth system science approach is based on physical science concepts, namely, how matter changes and how energy flows in physical and chemical changes. An understanding of Earth system science is then used as a foundation for exploring the basic concepts of life science. A biome project is used to assess students' understanding of Earth system science.