Supporting Preservice Earth Science Teachers in the Geoscience Major
Compiled by Char Bezanson, Science Teacher, Eastview High School, Apple Valley, Minnesota, and Instructor in Education, St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota.
Summaries reference the 2003 workshop Developing the Earth Science Teacher Workforce.While less than 20% of science teachers in secondary schools have a major or concentration in the Earth sciences, those teachers are critical to the earth science literacy of millions of students. At many institutions that prepare science teachers, many or most of those majoring in the earth sciences are planning to teach. In addition, many who are not planning to teach as undergraduates do find their way to teaching later in their careers, or are involved in education as part of their role as earth science professionals in museums, colleges, and government.