Teaching Science for All Children: An Inquiry Approach

The Fifth Edition of this popular elementary science methods text emphasizes learning science through inquiry, implementation of the Learning Cycle, NSE standards, constructivism, technology, and strategies for teaching diverse learners.

Teaching Science for All Children employs an inquiry model throughout, especially apparent in the design of its learning cycle lesson plans. Engaging Questions, Exploration, Explanation, Expansion, and Evaluation make up the “Es” of this modern learning cycle based on the model first invented by Robert Karplus as part of the Science Curriculum Improvement Study in the 1960s. The text provides methods for future teachers to foster awareness and understanding among their students of the nature of science; to construct understandings of and connections between various science content; to encourage application of science inquiry processes in the classroom; and to develop their students’ understanding of the interactions between science, technology, and society.  The final sections of the book incorporate Life Science, Physical Science, and Earth and Space Science lessons as a means to convey important pedagogical content knowledge and ideas to implement in the elementary classroom.

Dr. Ralph Martin is Professor of Science Education at Ohio University, Athens, OH. During his 35 years as an educator, he has taught science lessons and led projects spanning K-16. His research and scholarship has produced more than 15 books and manuals (various editions) and netted millions in funding for teacher professional development in science and math. He has received numerous Ohio and national awards in recognition of his teaching and leadership and has coordinated, directed, and chaired many university programs and faculty units. Presently he serves as Chair of the Science Review Board for the Ohio Resource Center for Mathematics, Science and Reading (www.ohiorc.org) and is Co-Director of the South East Ohio Center for Excellence in Mathematics and Science (www.seocems.org), which conducts research, provides professional development programs, and supports educational improvement efforts focused on Appalachia Ohio.

Dr. Colleen Sexton is an Associate Professor of Science Education at Governors State University, University Park, IL. She is the Academic Director of the South Suburban Consortium for Grow Your Own Illinois Teachers. This initiative is designed to provide a college degree to teacher candidates committed to teaching in traditionally hard-to-staff school districts. She has a special interest in Environmental Education and effective Integration of Educational Technology in the classroom. She has traveled to Turkey and Cyprus to deliver professional development in science education to K-8 teachers and to present keynote addresses at International Technology Conferences on the effective use of educational technology tools in science classrooms. Prior to GSU she was an Associate Professor and Secondary Education Coordinator at Ohio University in Athens, OH. Dr. Sexton also served for four years as the Program Manager for the Ohio SchoolNet Plus Initiative. This $495M initiative was designed to provide one interactive workstation in the classroom for every five children throughout Ohio’s K-5 classrooms. While with Ohio SchoolNet she was also directly responsible for the professional development opportunities for the interactive video projects. From 1988-1996 Dr. Sexton served as instructor and then as an Assistant Professor for the College of Education at Ohio University, serving as Curriculum Director for the Appalachian Distance Learning Project — a 3^rd grade interactive video pilot. Her K-12 experience includes eight years of high school science teaching in the Chicago area and one year of teaching introductory biology at the community college level. Her research areas include the use of handhelds in higher education, the integration of educational technology into the science curriculum, and teacher dispositions in an online learning environment.

Dr. Teresa Franklin in an Associate Professor in Instructional Technology at Ohio University, Athens, OH. Her love of teaching and learning through the integration of technology in the K-12 and higher education curriculum spans thirty years. As a science teacher in 1979, she began to use computers in her middle school Life Science and Earth Science lessons to help students gather data and solve problems. Teresa has served on the Ohio Technology Academic Content Standards Committee and the International Society for Technology in Education–National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers writing committee. Research interests include the integration of technology within the science curriculum, virtual environments for learning, handheld technologies in the classroom, and online course development.

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