Middle Grades Science Teaching Certification Program - Graduate - CSAM

Many teachers in the middle grades are assigned science classes but do not have the necessary specialized preparation to effectively teach today's recommended curriculum, which is dramatically different from what it was even a few years ago. This four course certificate program is specifically designed to provide those teachers with the background and education they need to be effective science teachers in the middle grades.

The primary objective of the Certification in Middle School Science Teaching is to increase the scientific knowledge and related pedagogical skill of New Jersey middle grade science teachers. The program is designed for teachers, with New Jersey certification in disciplines other than science and closely related fields, who are teaching science in the middle grades or preparing for such an assignment. The program of study emphasizes the fundamental principles that underlie the core scientific disciplines and introduces hands on experiments that have been demonstrated to provide the most effective development of science understanding among students. Teachers who successfully complete the sequence of four courses will be taught how to communicate the science and model effective teaching pedagogy and will be prepared for the PRAXIS II exam. Their increased content knowledge and pedagogical skill will help to strengthen the instructor’s enthusiasm and comfort with science topics, which will in turn foster a deeper understanding, and appreciation of science in their students. Students thus prepared will have more options in terms of high school course selection, post high school education and career paths.

The courses that are offered under this program are:

SCIM 503 Earth and Space Science for Middle Grade Teaching (4 sh):
This course introduces teachers to the origin and evolution of the Solar System, the physical processes that shape planetary surfaces, and the interactions between planetary atmospheres, hydrospheres, lithospheres, and for Earth, the biosphere. Teachers will learn the tools and techniques of field and laboratory earth and space science while providing tips on innovative teaching strategies and curriculum improvement, preparation for the Middle School Science PRAXIS II exam, and content alignment with NJDOE science standards.

SCIM 501 Biology for Middle Grade Teaching (4 sh):
This course introduces teachers to the study of life from molecule to organism, with a focus on the structure and function of cells, mechanisms of heredity and change, biodiversity, phylogenic relationships among organisms, biology of populations and organisms and ecosystems. Teachers will learn the tools and techniques of modern biology while providing tips on innovative teaching strategies and curriculum improvement, preparation for the Middle School Science PRAXIS II exam, and content alignment with NJDOE science standards.

SCIM 502 Physics for Middle Grade Teaching (4 sh):
This course introduces teachers to the fundamental concepts and principles of physics and astronomy and their unified energy-based presentation. Additionally, problem-solving skills and techniques needed to help students understand and apply these physics concepts and skills in the middle grades will be presented. Topics covered include mechanics, thermodynamics, fluids, wave motion, sound, optics, electricity, magnetism and astronomy while providing tips on innovative teaching strategies and curriculum improvement, preparation for the Middle School Science PRAXIS II exam, and content alignment with NJDOE science standards.

SCIM 504 Chemistry for Middle Grade Teaching (4 sh):
This course introduces teachers to the concepts of chemistry, with a focus on changes of state, solutions, simple chemical reactions and the properties of chemical compounds and elements. Teachers will learn the tools and techniques of modern chemistry while providing tips on innovative teaching strategies and curriculum improvement, preparation for the Middle School Science PRAXIS II exam, and content alignment with NJDOE science standards.