EMSE 3123

Math and Science in Education

Introduction:
Welcome to the Teaching Profession

Presented by
Frank H. Osborne, Ph. D.
© 2015
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 Introduction
Welcome to the Teaching Profession. You are in
the process of becoming a Math and Science
Teacher. This will require you to
– Understand the purposes of teaching
– Organize instruction
– Recognize personal meaning in teaching and
learning
– Personalize the teaching of math and science
– Manage classrooms/laboratories and maintain
discipline
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 S.T.E.M.
S.T.E.M. refers to Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics.
Mathematics is the purest science.
Science generally means the natural sciences,
including Physics, Chemistry, Earth and
Space Sciences and Life Science
Engineering and Technology are applications
of mathematics and the sciences.

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 Position of US in the World
Position in science is 23rd.

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 Position of US in the World
Position in mathematics is 36th.

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 Becoming an Effective Teacher
Important considerations are involved in math
and science teaching.
Instructional Theory
• Instructional Theory is the statement of the
principles on which instruction is
based. These principles provide the
foundation for science instruction in
conjunction with learning theory.

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 Becoming an Effective Teacher
Important considerations are involved in math
and science teaching.
Learning Theory
• Learning Theory is the statement of the
principles on which learning is
based. These principles provide the
foundation for science instruction in
conjunction with instructional theory.

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 Becoming an Effective Teacher
Important considerations are involved in math
and science teaching.
Personal Differences
• Different students learn in different
ways. Knowledge of Learning Styles can
help the teacher to reach all students in the
science classroom.

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 Becoming an Effective Teacher
Important considerations are involved in math
and science teaching.
Classroom Management
• The importance of maintaining a safe and
supportive environment as well as
classroom discipline is important to the
overall effectiveness of math and science
teaching.

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 Becoming an Effective Teacher
Important considerations are involved in math
and science teaching.
Time Management
• Everyone in the education business lives
by the clock and the calendar. Time
management involves the skills of planning
lessons and laboratory activities that fit
within the allotted time schedule as well as
being able to complete an entire course of
study in the term permitted.
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 Becoming an Effective Teacher
Important considerations are involved in math
and science teaching.
Experience
• All of us in the education business learn
from our experiences. Reflection on our
experiences and those shared by others
helps us to utilize what works well and
discard methods or activities that do not
work effectively.
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 Becoming an Effective Teacher
Important considerations are involved in math
and science teaching.
Preparation
• Probably the most important factor of all.

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 Levels of Math and Science Instruction
Elementary Instruction
This is now generally understood to mean
grades K-4, K-5 or K-6, depending on the
structure of the school district. It can
generally be accomplished by Elementary
Educators without any specialization in math
or science.

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 Levels of Math and Science Instruction
Middle School Science Instruction
It used to be that teachers with elementary
certificates taught middle school math and
science. The modern way is to use middle
school specialists. In New Jersey, this
means the following:

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 Levels of Math and Science Instruction
Middle School Instruction
a. a teacher with elementary (K-6) certification
who has also completed
15 credits in a science area
adolescent psychology
the appropriate Middle School Praxis exam
b. a teacher with P-12 certification in the
appropriate area

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The End

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