Re: 2 million teachers in 2007!

["Daniel L. MacIsaac" <Dan.MacIsaac@NAU.EDU>]

> How many science courses must one take to gain k-5 or k-8 or whatever that
> certification is?  Remember, these teachers must learn how to teach reading,
> writing, math, history, health, etc.  There really isn't much time left to
> really learn science.
>
> Sam
In AZ, 6-9 (Middle School) is considered secondary certification.  Primary
cert programs require 2 lab science courses for elementary teachers; these
are overwhelmingly BIO100 and ENV101 here at NAU.  These classes are huge,
and money makers for the respective depts.  A few el ed students take
GLG1xx, fewer a CHM1xx and rarest of all, we have <3 / semester who take
a PHS1xx or PHY1xx course, usually our Conceptual Physics from Hewitt.

We have just instituted a PHS101 (physical science for el ed) based on the
AAPT/NSF Powerful Ideas in Physical Science package that will run for the
first time this fall.  Stay tuned.

Dan M

Dan MacIsaac, Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Northern AZ Univ
danmac@nau.edu          http://purcell.phy.nau.edu         PHYS-L list owner