A Course-Based Research and Teaching Experience for Science Majors and Preservice Educators

Abstract

We designed a course to provide undergraduate science students and preservice teachers with authentic research and teaching experiences. Teams of students and preservice teachers complete supervised field ecology research projects and develop teaching activities based on their research in order to learn practices in both science and science teaching while improving skills in collaboration, leadership, and different forms of communication. Students apply their learning by educating local school groups on ecological concepts in the field and share their scholarship with faculty, peers, and community partners during a poster symposium. Each student team completes a research project and teaching activity proposal, conducts research and develops a teaching activity, and writes a research paper and lesson plan in the format of a professional manuscript. Teams use mentor feedback and their reflections on drafts and practice sessions to improve the research proposal and paper, teaching lesson plan, delivery of the teaching activity, and poster presentation. Improved grades on revised assignments and self-reported gains in knowledge and skills provide evidence of student learning.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Timothy Stewart

Timothy Stewart ([email protected]) is an associate professor, Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management

Janette Thompson

Janette Thompson is a professor, Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management

Kristina Tank

Kristina Tank is an associate professor in the School of Education, all at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.

Joanne Olson

Joanne Olson is a professor in the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Culture in the College of Education and Human Development at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.

Michael Rentz

Michael Rentz is an associate teaching professor, Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management

Peter Wolter

Peter Wolter is an associate professor, Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management