Douglas College New Westminster Campus Fall 2013 Information

Motivation Perception that elementary and middle-school teachers are often severely under-prepared for the tasks of teaching math and science Call from the College for innovative programs that would attract new students and meet community needs Success of Sports Science Graduate Diploma in Physical Education

Aims “The aim of the program is to improve the quality of mathematics and science teaching in elementary and middle schools, instilling within teachers the confidence and skills to become mathematics and science leaders in their classrooms, schools and districts.”

Aims continued “In order to achieve this aim, the program balances between two enabling objectives: Improving teachers’ understanding of mathematics and science. Providing opportunities for experienced teachers to explore their own and others’ teaching successes in order to improve their teaching methodologies and resources.”

Target Audience Certified, practising teachers Ideally elementary/middle- school focussed (Likely) weak in content knowledge Interested in obtaining TQS upgrade and the associated pay- raise

Graduates will: Create interesting and innovative mathematics and science units/lessons based on strong subject knowledge and deep understanding of the aims and goals of the BC curriculum. Have an expanded practical toolbox of teaching, integration and assessment techniques, making their classroom mathematics and science engaging and relevant.

Graduates will: Be champions of mathematics and science within their classrooms, schools, and districts. Be eligible for TQS upgrading.

The Program Six courses, one per semester over 2 years Courses: MSTE 5110: Teaching Biology and Earth Science MSTE 5120: Teaching Chemistry and Physics MSTE 5130: Teaching Mathematics MSTE 5210: Mathematics & Science in Popular Culture MSTE 5220: Contemporary Issues in Mathematics and Science Teaching MSTE 5230: Engaging Students in Mathematics and Science

General Course Format 5 credits per course Hybrid format: combination of face-to-face and on- line 5130, 5210, & 5220 : 3 hours face-to-face per week plus on-line work (additional 2 – 3 hours per week) 5110 & 5120: 6 hours face-to-face every other week plus on-line work (additional 2 – 3 hours per week) 5230: individualised capstone project

MSTE 5130 Teaching Mathematics Examination of K-12 curriculum Understanding of its overall rationale Connections between topics through the levels Address challenges of: Teaching math skills, conceptual development, problem-solving, math across the curriculum, assessment Teachers’ own mathematical misconceptions

Hands-on laboratory experiences Themes: How scientific knowledge is acquired, organized and retrieved Major paradigm shifts of the last two millennia (energy, matter, atomic structure, electromagnetic waves and modern quantum physics) Energy: its generation and relevance to current environmental issues MSTE 5120 Teaching Chemistry and Physics

MSTE 5110 Teaching Biology and Earth Science Themes: How scientific knowledge is acquired, organized and retrieved Plant and animal identification Anatomy, physiology, and functional relationships of organisms Environmental issues Classification of rocks and minerals; fossil identification Earth systems and global change Human dependence on natural resources Hands-on laboratory experiences and field trips

MSTE 5210 Mathematics and Science in Popular Culture Study of a wide variety of popular culture media in order to: Examine portrayals of mathematicians and scientists in popular culture and consider implications thereof Raise awareness in teachers to enable them to enrich their instruction related to math and science across the curriculum

Discussion and critical analysis of contemporary issues Topics selected based on group interests (e.g. aboriginal issues, gender issues, assessment, learning theories, technology use) Development of research skills MSTE 5220 Contemporary Issues in Mathematics and Science Education

MSTE 5230 Engaging Students in Mathematics and Science Synthesis of the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program. An individual project or set of projects is completed in consultation with a faculty member Key words: “practical” and “synthesis”

Some student comments: The courses have made me think about math and science in a fresh way. I am planning lessons in math and science that involve me thinking out of my old box. There is a lot of room for fun, play, enjoyment in math and science and the MSTE program has brought that to the forefront! --Kate

My biggest concern about the program was having the time to actually do it, but I have found that many of the activities and assignments are directly transferable to the classroom, so in a sense I have been combining the course work with my planning for the classroom. The course is challenging, but definitely "do-able". I have also enjoyed coming together with my peers to discuss the trials, tribulations and successes of teaching math and science in the elementary classroom. --Michelle

Current Instructors Susan Oesterle (Mathematics and Contemporary Issues) PDP; MSc (Mathematics); PhD(Mathematics Education) Jennifer Kirkey (Physics) MSc (Physics); 20+ years as “Scientist in the Schools”; Instructional Skills Workshop Facilitator for 15 years Paul O’Connor (Chemistry) PhD (Chemistry); Certificate in Technology-Based Distributed Learning (UBC Faculty of Education)

Morgan Whitehouse (Biology) BSc (Biology and Earth & Environmental Science), BEd(Minor in Secondary Mathematics Education), MSc (Biology), BC Certified Teacher Jim Milross (Earth Science) BSc (Geophysics), MEd (Curriculum & Instruction), 20+ years high school teaching experience, co-author of Earth Science unit for K-12 program for the Pan Canadian Science Project Doris Baltruschat (Popular Culture) BA (Joint Major in Communication & Latin American Studies), BEd(Elementary), MA (Mass Communications), PhD (Communication), BC Certified Teacher

More information The next intake is Fall Registration is now open. Deadline: May 31, For more information about the program, contact the program coordinator: Susan Oesterle Phone: