California State University, Fresno

Carol Fry BohlinFrederick Nelson

California State University STEM Conference29 October 2013 ~ CSU East Bay

The Fresno State Liberal Studies STEM team gratefully acknowledges the support of the S.B. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation and the CSU Chancellor’s Office in the development of this project.

Exemplars in Transformative Undergraduate Preparation of Future K-6

Teachers in STEM: Fresno State’s Liberal Studies

STEM Concentration

California State University, Fresno

Preparing Preservice Teachers for Tomorrow’s Classrooms

California State University, Fresno

An Integrated Approach to Instruction

“The [CCSS] call for a more integrated approach to delivering instruction across all subjects. The CCSS are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world... They require student collaboration; ...and the development of strong complex reasoning, problem solving, and communication skills.” – California Department of Education – January 2013

California State University, Fresno

California State University, Fresno

Liberal Studies STEM ConcentrationInterdisciplinary Partnership

Education • Engineering • Science and Mathematics

Karl Runde

Fred Nelson

Don Williams

Mara BradyFariborz Tehrani Nell Papavasiliou

Carol Fry Bohlin

LloydCrask

Campus CO/MSTI

California State University, Fresno

New Liberal Studies STEM Concentration• Liberal Studies major Future K-8 teacher• 120-semester-unit Liberal Studies major at

Fresno State includes 9 sem. units of math + 12-13 sem. units of science

• Concentration: 12 upper division sem. units • Approved (5/1/13) 4-course STEM Concentration:– “Environmental Earth and Life Sciences” (NCSI 115-Revised)

– “Energy, Technology, and Society” (NSCI 116-Revised)

– “Physics Pedagogy and Outreach” (Physics 168S-Revised)

– “Engineering Literacy” (ENGR 191T-New)

California State University, Fresno

Bechtel Grant via the CSU Chancellor’s Office

California State University, Fresno

Features of the STEM Concentration• Foundation: CCSS-M, CCSS-ELA/Literacy,

Framework for K-12 Science Education, NGSS• Crosscutting Concepts (e.g., energy & matter

in systems) used as themes for making connections across courses

• Integration of Practices into Content Standards/Disciplinary Core Ideas

• Inquiry-based instruction; PBL; labs• Service-learning and outreach• Cohort model

California State University, Fresno

Instructor Professional Development

• Background: Common Core State Standards, Framework for K-12 Science Education, Next Generation Science Standards

• Crosscutting concepts and common themes• Instructional theory; constructivist

epistemology• Inquiry-oriented, student-centered

pedagogy

California State University, Fresno

Physics Pedagogy and Outreach Course• 3-semester-unit course (Physics 168S)• 2 hours of seminar followed by a 3-hour service-

learning outreach experience (the next day)• Primarily Liberal Studies and Multiple Subject

credential students; some science, math, and physics majors

California State University, Fresno

Course Topics

Physics Content• Pressure• Torque• Mechanical Advantage• Linear Momentum• Angular Momentum• Bernoulli’s Principle• Electricity• Magnetism

Pedagogy• Constructivism• Discrepant events• Misconceptions• Conceptual change• Service learning

California State University, Fresno

NSCI 115: Earth & Environmental Life Science

• Explores environmental issues, sustainability, and interactions among earth’s systems

• Lead-in course from Liberal Studies major• Existing course: upper division GE – Integrate material from lower division courses

• Two 75-minute lecture meetings per week• High enrollment course (~50 students)• Multiple instructors, departments

California State University, Fresno

Energy, Technology, and Society – NSCI 116

• Energy transformations• Hydroelectric• Geothermal• Nuclear• Solar• Wind• Evaluating alternatives• Explicit connections to

Engineering Literacy

California State University, Fresno

ENGR 191T: Engineering Literacy

• Equity and Justice– Environmental and Social

Justice, Livable Communities

• Ecosystem and Habitat– Biodiversity, Conservation,

Land Preservation

• Culture– Aesthetics, Historic and

Cultural Preservation

• Air/Water/Space/Land Quality– Greenhouse gases, Storm-

water runoffs, Wetlands, Hazardous Waste, Noise, Health

• Energy– Consumption and Efficiency

• Materials– Hazardous Waste, and

Recycle

California State University, Fresno

Math and Science Teacher Initiative (MSTI) (MSTI):

Engaging K-8 Teacher Candidates• Facilitate connections with national, state, and

local professional communities• Support participation in STEM workshops and

conferences, as well as coursework (STEM content plus middle school pedagogy courses).

• Support success in K-8 STEM teacher pathways (including FLGS & FLM credentials)

• Promote STEM accomplishments/professional identity development.

California State University, Fresno

$800 Liberal Studies STEM Fellowship!• Receive $200 of the $800 Fellowship when you take Physics

Pedagogy and Outreach (PHYS 168S) Receive $200 when you take Environmental Earth and Life Science (NSCI 115) this fall or in a future semester (must also be taking or have taken PHYS 168S to receive the stipend).

• Receive a total of $400 ($200 each) when you take Engineering Literacy (ENGR 191T) and Energy, Technology, and Society (NSCI 116).

• Bonus! Students who pass the two CSET tests that lead to a credential in Foundational-Level General Science (FLGS) or Foundational-Level Mathematics (FLM) will not only receive reimbursement for the tests, but an additional $200 stipend!

California State University, Fresno

California State University, Fresno

Successes

California State University, Fresno

Challenges

California State University, Fresno

Questions?Comments?