Exemplars in Transformative
Undergraduate Preparation of Future K-6
Teachers in STEM:
Fresno State’s Liberal Studies
STEM Concentration
Carol Fry Bohlin
Frederick Nelson
California State University STEM Conference
29 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.
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 Concentration
Interdisciplinary Partnership
Campus
Education • Engineering • Science and Mathematics
Fred
Nelson
CO/MSTI
Don Williams
Carol
Fry Bohlin
Lloyd
Crask
Karl
Runde
California State University, Fresno
Fariborz Tehrani
Nell Papavasiliou
Mara Brady
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
At California State University, Fresno
Physics Pedagogy
& Outreach
PHYS168S
Energy, Technology,
& Society
NSCI116
Environmental Earth
Engineering Literacy
& Life Science
ENGR191T
NSCI115
Pedagogy,
NGSS, CCSS,
Faculty PD
MSTI, Liberal Studies,
CSM, LCOE, KSOEHD
Bechtel Grant via the
CSU Chancellor’s Office
California State University, Fresno
Presented to the
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 servicelearning 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
California State University, Fresno
Pedagogy
• Constructivism
• Discrepant events
• Misconceptions
• Conceptual change
• Service learning
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, Stormwater 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)
Engaging K-8 Teacher Candidates
(MSTI):
• 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?
California State University, Fresno