Throughout its long and distinguished history, the Science Education Program has stressed the preparation of leaders in education. These leaders are successful scholars in their discipline, as well as theoretically and practically based educators. The faculty and staff are committed to the idea of leadership training through a variety of courses, workshops, and research experiences. Many of these are performed in collaboration with private, public, and parochial schools; informal science centers (i.e., museums, outdoor education, etc.); and community-based organizations in the tristate metropolitan region.

Through funded projects, dissertation research, training, and service to national teacher organizations, the faculty and students in science education have helped to frame the curriculum and methodology used in the schools of this and other nations. Science courses are organized around a global systems perspective so that resources, natural phenomena, and the human impact on nature can be investigated and translated into new science curricula.

 

Master’s-level offerings in science content are coordinated with methodology and supervision appropriate for both initial and professional teachers. Advanced master’s and doctoral programs complete preparation for a variety of positions including teaching, supervisory, and research roles spanning the elementary through college levels of instruction. Some courses offered through these programs are intended especially for students from other areas of study at Teachers College who need to acquire knowledge and skills in science but who do not wish to earn a degree in these areas.