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Graduate Science Education

The M.A.T. curriculum is designed to promote excellence of teaching, research and scholarship, and dedication to service. Underlying this excellence is the set of professional standards and competencies that form the foundation for continued growth and development in all areas of education. The program is designed around a professional core of education and content courses that provide a foundation and framework in learning theory, philosophy, pedagogy and research while integrating content. The capstone experience provides the opportunity to demonstrate the translation of theory into practice in a supervised educational setting. Students are expected to develop competencies in critical thinking, collaboration, diversity, leadership research and applied use of technology.

The Master of Arts in Teaching in Science Education program will enhance the science content knowledge and further develop the scientific process and inquiry skills of middle and high school science teachers. The program will provide the opportunity for a beginning teacher to gain the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions necessary for the development, implementation and assessment of meaningful science programs in their school district. These efforts will help ensure that science teachers in this program will be effective classroom teachers and be prepared according to the National Science Education Standards and the National Science Teachers Association Standards for Science Teacher Preparation. This program is intended for individuals holding a degree in a science field but not yet certified or for individuals making a career change from a science related field.

The M.A.T. in Science Education is designed to promote science learning for teachers by doing science through the use of both innovative teaching methods in the classroom, laboratory and field, and authentic assessment strategies that are applicable to their own classrooms. The program is based on the research, goals, vision and best practices derived from the science education community.

Program Objectives

The general objectives of the M.A.T. in Science Education program are:

• Increase the science knowledge and skills of teachers, including the use of technology, through study in biology, chemistry, meteorology, biotechnology, Earth systems or the physical sciences.
• Introduce and update the candidate’s knowledge about current issues and best practices in science teaching, learning and assessment in the classroom and laboratory setting based on national and local school data.
• Introduce and develop the candidate’s understanding and application of the national and state science education standards to classroom science teaching and learning.
• Provide both formal and informal educational experiences for the candidate with middle and high school students.
• Provide a pathway for candidates to obtain certification as a science teacher.

Related Programs and Facilities

• M.S. in Science Education
• M.S. in Environmental Science and Policy
• Center for the Environment at Plymouth State University
• The Atmospheric Science & Chemistry undergraduate department
• Mark Sylvestre Planetarium at Plymouth State
• Mindflight Summer Program at Plymouth State

Contact Information

Dr. Warren Tomkiewicz - e-mail the coordinator
Chair, Environmental Science & Policy
MSC 48
17 High Street
Plymouth, NH 03264