2026-2027 Academic Catalog

Mar 20, 2026

2026-2027 Academic Catalog

EDUC 386 - Ways of Knowing in the Physical and Natural Sciences (Elementary, Middle/Secondary)

The course begins by studying disciplinary core ideas in the candidate’s area of science specialty based on the Massachusetts Frameworks: physics, Chemistry, Biology, middle school science and engineering. This is guided by the fact that when teachers have a strong subject matter knowledge, they can teach it well. In this course teacher candidates are required to look at the depth and breadth of content knowledge needed to support all students in mastering expectations outlined in the Massachusetts Frameworks. Students are expected to unpack the standards by identifying key scientific content ideas, the scientific vocabulary associated with the standard and how to teach it using varied pedagogical approaches. Basing our approach on the way scientists themselves learn about nature, this course explores science learning through experiment and theory. Our students are often simultaneously cast as both learner and teacher, in which roles they investigate a variety of science curricula and experience different classroom learning environments. Through discussions, readings and hands-on science lessons, they confront science content, science pedagogy, and the real-world constraints of state curriculum frameworks, professional standards and high-stakes testing. Observations in Worcester Public School classrooms provide a rich resource for testing the ideas against the everyday realities.

Anticipated Terms Offered: Annually