Supporting the Standards: A Master's Degree Program for K-12 Teacher Professional Development

Abstract

The Master of Science in Teaching (Earth Science) graduate program has been housed in the Department of Geological Sciences since 1975. In recent years the program has undergone a renaissance due to several factors. Among these are the development of an Ohio State Department of Education science model tracking the national science education standards in content and inquiry, and the development of a series of competency tests given to all Ohio K-12 students at several grade levels that include a significant number of Earth/Space science questions. Collaboration between faculty in the Colleges of Science and Mathematics and Education and Human Services has resulted in the redesign of existing courses and the development of new courses that are aligned with the national science education standards for content, inquiry, and professional development of K-12 teachers. Restructuring of the program also included the development of on-line courses, evening hours for on campus course offerings, and summer field-based courses. K-12 educator participation in this Master's level professional development program has positively impacted departmental graduate enrollment figures, increased their understandings of science and technology, and enhanced the teaching of all sciences in their classrooms.