Keywords
science, classroom instruction, teacher attitudes
Abstract
Science instruction in elementary school classrooms is frequently lacking in the United States. One factor that impacts the amount and quality of science instruction is teacher attitudes toward science. The Earth Science Mini-Lesson Project is a strategic program created to help improve preservice elementary school teachers' attitudes toward science in a one-semester college class. Students participating in this project create earth science mini-lessons on topics taken from the Utah Core Curriculum Standards and teach them to elementary students at a local Title I grade school. Attitude survey results from both semesters showed that this service-learning outreach program positively affected students' attitudes after minor adjustments to the project organization. This is a simple, inexpensive, yet effective, project that can be implemented in a one-semester college science course for preservice elementary teachers that can help improve their attitudes toward science.
Original Publication Citation
Thompson, K., Bickmore, B. R., Graham, C. R., & Yanchar, S. C. (27). Earth science mini-lessons: A service-learning strategy for improving attitudes toward science of preservice elementary teachers. Journal of Geoscience Education, 55(3), 228-234.
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Thompson, K.; Bickmore, B. R.; Graham, Charles R.; and Yanchar, S. C., "Earth science mini-lessons: A service-learning strategy for improving attitudes toward science of preservice elementary teachers" (2007). Faculty Publications. 250.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/250
Document Type
Peer-Reviewed Article
Publication Date
2007-06-06
Permanent URL
http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/2077
Publisher
NAGT
Language
English
College
David O. McKay School of Education
Department
Instructional Psychology and Technology
Copyright Status
© 2007 NAGT
Copyright Use Information
http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/