Exploring Professional Development of Science Teachers through the Research Experience for Teachers Program

Abstract

This case study focused on three science teachers who participated in the Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program conducted by the Center for Bridging Advanced Science and Education (CBASE). The RET program provides opportunities for participants to experience experimentations in a science laboratory for six months, enabling teachers develop teaching materials based on their experience from the RET program. The purpose of this study was to explore how the teachers had developed their professionalism through participation in the program and which factors promoted the professional development of science teachers. In this research, we defined pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) as the required knowledge for teachers to develop for their professional development. As a result of the RET program, all three participants showed integration of PCK elements: orientation to teaching science, knowledge of science, knowledge of students, knowledge of teaching, and knowledge of sources. The PCK elements which had been developed by the RET program were applied in school context and the teachers' belief became clear and strong. The teachers were able to understand the process of authentic science as they learned it from 'legitimate peripheral participation' in the authentic research context. They also showed dynamic integration between newly established elements of PCK by reflecting on the school context while developing the teaching materials. The professional development of each teacher was different depending on the purpose and PCK, which participants had already possess. This study will provide meaningful implication for the development of professional development program for science teachers based on research experience.