Science Education Department

College of the Sciences
Ellensburg
Science Bldg., room 107

509-963-2929
Fax 509-963-1222
www.cwu.edu/~scied
See the website for how these programs may be used for educational and career purposes.

Faculty
Chair
Martha J. Kurtz, PhD

Professors
Martha J. Kurtz, PhD, chemistry and science education
Bruce Palmquist, PhD, physics and science education

Associate Professor
Ian J. Quitadamo, PhD, biological sciences and science education

Assistant Professors
Jennifer Dechaine, PhD, biological sciences and science education
Vanessa Hunt, PhD, science education
Beth Pratt-Sitaula, PhD, geological sciences and science education
Tim Sorey, PhD, chemistry and science education

Staff
Lucinda Lunstrum, secretary senior

Department Information
The primary function of the science education department is preparing people to teach science. Coursework in science pedagogy is offered for students in the teacher preparation programs as well as for teachers in the schools. The science education department works with science departments in the design and operation of degree programs for students who are preparing to teach in the secondary schools. We believe that students learn via the active construction of knowledge. To facilitate that process, all of our instruction follows the learning cycle model.

Our program seeks to help students become facilitators of learning in a diverse world. To that end, the science education department has the following goals for an effective science teacher:

Demonstrate an ability to individually and collaboratively engage in inquiry and integrate the nature of science
Explain and apply fundamental science content concepts, principles, and methods
Demonstrate an ability to effectively facilitate learning for all students
Create safe, effective learning environments that support inquiry, collaboration, intellectual risk-taking, ethical decision-making, and student construction of knowledge
Demonstrate an ability to assess teaching and learning outcomes using multiple methods, effectively evaluate teaching and learning effectiveness, and improve practice based on reflection and data
Demonstrate an ability to make science personally and socially relevant to individual and community by incorporating current events within collaborative and social networks

Students seeking endorsement for certification to teach a specialized science at the high school level must satisfactorily complete the teaching major within the specific science department. Students desiring to become middle or junior high school specialized teachers of science are encouraged to obtain a teaching major in one or more of the following areas: biology, chemistry, Earth sciences, general science, or physics. All students are advised to work toward a second major or minor endorsement.

All students enrolled in science majors leading to certification are required to have an approved schedule on file with a science education advisor as early as possible and before endorsement for student teaching.

Science Education Department

Programs