College Course

Scientist? How to broaden your impact...

NSF’s emphasis on educational outreach and the broader impact of research has led to a number of programs designed to help scientists share their knowledge and skills in K-12 classrooms. Communicating Ocean Sciences (COS) is one of the initiatives of the California Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE). Goals of COS are (1) to promote collaborations between scientists and science educators that help scientists communicate their research to the public, (2) to increase the amount of ocean sciences taught in K-12 classrooms, (3) to provide diverse college role models for K-12 students, especially under-represented students, and 4) to ensure that future scientists are prepared to be effective teachers and providers of broader impact activities COS is designed to be co-taught by a research scientist and a science educator or master teacher. The target students for the course are science majors interested in obtaining teaching experience.

COS provides opportunities for scientists to discuss their research with University students and to incorporate aspects of their research into K-12 science outreach. It is an effective vehicle for educational outreach to K-12 students and the wider public through the efforts of the University students, and it benefits K-12 students since concepts and topics about the ocean rarely appear in K-12 curriculum, standards or assessments.

The course is structured to be offered as part of undergraduate and graduate science programs (at UC Berkeley COS is co-listed by the Departments of Integrative Biology and Earth and Planetary Sciences). Undergraduate and graduate students are introduced to inquiry-based science teaching and learning theory through activities that focus on ocean sciences content. Pairs of students then apply what they learn by teaching six ocean sciences lessons in K-12 classrooms. Five of the lessons are derived from existing ocean sciences curriculum materials (e.g. MARE curriculum developed by Lawrence Hall of Science). One lesson is developed by the students themselves using the principles and approaches learned in the course. Graduate students receive additional curriculum development and teaching experience to prepare them for likely future roles in university education.

We are currently inviting colleges, universities and organizations with educational programs (e.g. museums, aquariums) to adapt and offer the COS and COSIA courses. Please look over our list of frequently asked questions for more information about the courses.

Please contact Catherine Halversen at chalver@berkeley.edu

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Scientist? How to broaden your impact...

Award Winning

Several scientists are now using this course for their broader impact:

Lynn Ingram
Earth and Planetary Sciences
UC Berkeley

Jan Hodder
Oregon Institute of Marine Biology
University of Oregon

Ali Whitmer
Marine Science Institute
University of California, Santa Barbara

Adina Paytan
School of Earth Sciences
Stanford University

Janice McDonnell
and
Scott Glenn
Institute of Marine & Coastal Studies
Rutgers University

Lauren Mullineaux
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution