Science Education, B.S.
Program Director: Pamela Fraser-Abder
Address: East Building, Room 637E
239 Greene Street
New York, NY 10003
Phone: 212-998-5460
Helping Others to Explore the Wonders of Science
Every day, science expands its profound role in our lives - for instance, through biotechnology, space exploration, medical research, and ecological discoveries. The goal of the science teacher is to stimulate in students' minds deep interest in understanding the world, to help them experience the challenge of exploring natural phenomena on this planet and beyond, and to encourage aptitudes that may lead to careers in science, teaching, research, or professional practice.
A Program in the National Forefront
Since their inception, the Bachelor of Science Programs in Teaching Science, Grades 7-12, has been a leader in the nationwide movement in teacher education to stimulate the study of science, technology, and society in high schools. Today, we supplement our emphasis on science, technology, and society with a focus on training teachers to adapt curricula to multicultural environments, especially in urban areas, so that all students feel more at home in studying science.
Science, Education, and Liberal Arts
You prepare to teach either biology, chemistry, earth science, or physics.
All science courses are taken in NYU's College of Arts and Science, along
with humanities and social science courses required for the liberal arts core.
In The Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, you
take courses in methods for teaching science and the development of curricula
for junior and senior high school students. You study microcomputer applications
to teaching science and instructional techniques for attracting more women
and minorities to science. The teaching strategies that you learn are designed
to help make your own students feel more comfortable with scientific concepts
and practices.
Small Program, Constant Feedback
Our program is small, permitting one-to-one academic and professional counseling from our faculty. We also use peer feedback and evaluation; student teaching is videotaped for critique sessions in which students review and discuss each other's techniques and lesson plans.
Your Teaching Internship
To ensure continuity between the classroom and the real teaching world, you
complete 100 hours of observation and two semesters of student teaching in
an urban public or independent school selected for its diversity of student
population. You are supervised by experienced teachers of science and by our
own faculty.
Recent placements, for example, have been in Beachon High School, East Side
Middle School, Landmark High School, University Neighborhood High School, and
Institute for Community Education.