Science Education

The Fairmont State University Science Education program prepares students to meet current expectations for classroom teachers

Typical classroom instruction and lecture is a part of the Science Education program. Science Education majors should also expect hands-on learning opportunities early in their Fairmont State careers. Our instructors oversee a curriculum that encourages:

Participation in the Science After School Program with middle school students

Attendance at workshops hosted by the NASA IV&V Facility Educator Research Center

Radio telescope research at the Green Bank Observatory in Green Bank, WV

The Science Education program includes five specializations of study. They are:

Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Earth & Space Science
General Science

Graduates with a degree in Science Education can immediately become instructors of Biology (9-Adult), Chemistry (9-Adult), Physics (9-Adult) and General Science (5-Adult).

Successful Science Education majors will develop a portfolio to show they can:

Meet the needs of diverse learners
Incorporate lab skills and scientific technology in lesson plans
Meet state and national content standards

Career Opportunities

It is common for Fairmont State University Science Education majors to enter classrooms upon graduation. Some may start out as middle school teachers and work their way up to high school classrooms. Our graduates are often recruited prior to graduation for teaching positions in WV, MD, VA and NC. Science Education graduates may also find themselves in professional positions outside of the classroom setting. Potential institutions include:

Medical, developmental or research laboratories
Pharmaceutical companies
Hospitals
Governmental agencies

Mission

The mission of Fairmont State University's Science Education Programs is to ensure teacher candidates in biology (9-adult), chemistry (9- adult), physics (9-adult), Earth & Space (5-adult) and general science (5-adult) have sufficient knowledge, skills, and dispositions in their area of licensure to be effective science teachers in service to their school and community at large. The Science Education program creates opportunities for teacher candidates to engage as professionals in formal and informal educational settings, as well as, their fields of science. Teacher candidates demonstrate competencies in science content, nature of science, scientific practices (inquiry), and science pedagogical content knowledge (PCK).

Contact Info

Dr. Deb Hemler

Science Education Coordinator, Department of Biology-Chemistry-Geoscience

216 Hunt Haught Hall

304-367-4393

dhemler@fairmontstate.edu

Model Schedules

Biology Education Model Schedule

Chemistry Education Model Schedule

Earth & Space Science Education Model Schedule

Physics Education Model Schedule