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University of York

STEM Teaching: Teaching Science Beyond The Boundaries

University of York via FutureLearn

Overview

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Gain an introduction to interdisciplinary science

On this three-week course, you’ll deepen your understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of science and its importance in human decision-making.

This knowledge will give you more confidence in communicating to your students the role of science in society, and equipping them with the skills necessary to make evidence-informed decisions.

You’ll start by gaining an introduction to interdisciplinary science teaching as you explore resources and practical strategies that support working with other disciplines. By the end, you’ll have the tools to help ensure the next generation of scientists is more aware of what the sciences can – and cannot – do.

Unpack useful teaching strategies

You’ll discuss what successful interdisciplinary teaching looks like and how barriers, which prevent it, can be overcome.

With this understanding, you’ll delve into practices and teaching strategies that will help you implement this approach.

Learn to embed interdisciplinary teaching into your curriculum

You’ll then gain an insight into how interdisciplinary teaching can be successfully embedded into your own practice.

By evaluating the research project ‘science beyond the boundaries’, you’ll see interdisciplinary teaching in action to understand the learning outcomes and teaching units you can use in your classroom.

Learn from science education specialists at the University of York

The team from the University of York are specialists in science education research and practice. You’ll be guided throughout from experts in the field, to ensure you finish the course with the knowledge and confidence to start teaching interdisciplinary science.

This course is designed for science teachers who are interested in broadening their curriculum and learning to teach complex and controversial issues in science.

It will be particularly useful for secondary science teachers, post-16 science teachers, and teachers of general studies.

Syllabus

  • What is interdisciplinary teaching?
    • A welcome and introduction the course
    • Why is teaching science beyond the boundaries important?
    • Why do some topics need an interdisciplinary approach?
    • What is interdisciplinary teaching?
    • Approaches to teaching and learning science beyond the boundaries
    • Case study: Prenatal ultrasound (medical diagnosis)
    • Review of week one
  • What does successful interdisciplinary science teaching look like?
    • Introduction to week two
    • Outcomes of successful interdisciplinary science teaching
    • Creating the conditions for interdisciplinary science teaching
    • Barriers to interdisciplinary teaching
    • Overcoming barriers to interdisciplinary teaching
    • Review of week two
  • Teaching Science Beyond the Boundaries
    • 'Engage' with the 5E model of instruction
    • ‘Explore’ Science Beyond the Boundaries
    • ‘Explain’ Science Beyond the Boundaries learning outcomes
    • 'Explain' Science Beyond the Boundaries teaching units
    • 'Elaborate' on what is understood
    • 'Evaluate' Science Beyond the Boundaries
    • Planning to teach Science Beyond the Boundaries

Taught by

Lynda Dunlop

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