Workshops/Classes

Summer Try Out the Classroom Workshop

The ASU C-STAF faculty will offer a 5-day program held on the ASU campus. The workshop will be taught with area teachers, and will introduce students to education, stressing communication and teaching skills. Specific focus will be on methods for scientific inquiry, an understanding of the nature of science, and awareness of Arkansas Frameworks in science and mathematics.  Students will be introduced to teaching of science as inquiry, various teaching strategies, incorporating technology in the science classroom, and classroom management techniques and laboratory safety.  At the end of the workshop, students will develop lesson plans and activities, with assistance and feedback from ASU and classroom faculty.   

 Spring Semester Try Out the Classroom Course

ASU C-STAF faculty will offer a 3-credit hour course entitled “Try Out the Classroom” during the spring semester for STEM undergraduates who are considering teaching.  Similar to the summer program, this course will introduce students to the classroom and to AR Science/Mathematics Frameworks, and will focus on preparing three activities/lessons to be used in the classroom.  Area teachers will allow ASU students enrolled in this course to visit their classrooms to observe and to lead activities.  

Projected Syllabus: 

Week 1 --  Getting to Know You – student interests; Introduction to participating area schools and teachers; The adolescent learner; social and cognitive development

Week 2 --  Managing the classroom; Laboratory safety

Week 3 --  AR frameworks; Research, design 2 activities (lower level + upper level, including assessment)

Week 4 --  Continue; Align activity with AR frameworks

Week 5  --  Practice first activity with peers

Week 6  --  First activity in the classroom

Week 7  --  What went wrong, what went right; Revisiting classroom management

Week 8  --  Journal updates; students meet individually with course Instructor for assessment; Research third activity

Week 9  --  Start to develop third activity; Practice second activity with peers

Week 10 --  Second activity in the classroom

Week 11 --  Assessment of classroom experiences

Week 12 --  Third activity in the classroom

Week 13 --  Assessment of classroom experiences; Relate activities to ASU science courses/experiences

Week 14 --  Description of C-STAF program, POS/METP programs; Future education opportunities (student groups, volunteer opportunities); Course evaluation

Student assessment will be based on participation and thoroughness of lesson plans and activities, as well as recommendations by supervising teachers. ASU faculty will make one classroom visit to observe and assess each student.    

This website is maintained by A. Grippo (agrippo@astate.edu)

06/23/09