Why Study 6-12 Secondary Biology Education
Students who wish to combine their CoSTEM biology knowledge and skills with the COE pedagogy education courses can learn best science practices that engage 6-12 students to conduct more of an inquiry-based approach in the classroom. Students will learn how encourage 6-12 students to take a more active role in figuring out how natural events work instead of being taught those lessons by an instructor. Students will additionally develop science literacy skills that inform decision-making, civic participation, cultural engagement, and economic productivity.
A student’s academic interests include a serious and sincere commitment to wanting to teach relevant everyday events as a basis of science instruction that fosters interest and curiosity. Academic interests include understanding the process of conducting hands-on science experiments in a 6-12 classroom. As a result, 6-12 students are encouraged to develop exploratory questions and hypotheses to explain events or science phenomena. Possible hobbies as a science teacher might include enjoying nature and the outdoors.
The biology program concentrates on investigating all living organisms’ origin, distribution, structure, and function. Biology helps students understand the living world and the ways it’s many species (including humans) function, evolve, and interact. Advances in medicine, agriculture, biotechnology, and many other areas of biology have brought improvements in the quality of life.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the number of jobs was anticipated for high school instructors, including biology teachers, by eight percent from 2020-2030, adding approximately 78,200 jobs. Graduates with science education degree may also find work in science museums, government institutions, and private research institutions.
Students will benefit from both the College of STEM sciences and the College of Education pedagogy in earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, the 6-12 science traching license is highly desired by employers. The collaboration between both colleges provides unique expertise and practical insight for biology students to learn how to implement strategies that can engage 6-12 students to learn biology.
The Biology Program is an advanced degree appropriate for those seeking teaching licensure who have completed the prerequisite science courses in their undergraduate degree program. The program will equip teachers to become proficient leaders in science education, and aligned with state standards for science and the national frameworks for science education.
What will I learn
- Investigative skills
- Identifying problems
- Assessing risks
- Defining expected/potential results
- Research /Quantitative skills
- Defining problems
- Utilizing laboratory equipment
- Recording observations
- Interpreting results
- Utilizing statistical tests to predict outcomes
- Analytical skills
- Reasoning logically
- Categorizing data
- Evaluating the effects of phenomena
- Communication Skills
- Summarizing research findings
- Explaining complex ideas for technical and nontechnical audiences
- Designing charts, graphs, and other visual aides
