Master's Program Update

Much has been happening with the MS program. Three students graduated this past spring, a new option was approved, a new cohort of students joined us this fall.

New Graduates

Linda Warner Mank, Amy Edmundson and Alan Van Divort all graduated this past spring.

Linda's thesis, Exploring student achievement by examining the assessment of inquiry-based hands-on science in two fifth grade classrooms through norm-referenced standardized testing and authentic embedded assessments, was under the direction of Maureen McMahon. She looked at the combined effects of gender, race, SES, parent education level and reading on forms of assessment in science. Linda earned her MS with an elementary option. She teaches at John G. Whittier elementary school in LBUSD. She joined the faculty at CSULB this fall and is teaching a section of SCED 401.

Amy's thesis, Learning English Through Science under the direction of Laura Henriques, looked at improvements for English learners enrolled in a science focused summer school experience. Among other things, she compared CELDT scores for students enrolled in the program versus comparable students who did not participate.

Amy earned her MS with an option in elementary science education. She is a Teacher on Special Assignment this year for Centralia Elementary School District. She is overseeing a multi-year science professional development program for her district and other Orange County districts.

Alan's thesis, under the direction of Alan Colburn, studied The effects of computer-enhanced instruction on the academic achievement of English learner and non English learner students in the high school science classroom. The purpose of his study was to investigate the influence of the use of computers as an instructional method. He compared the effectiveness of computer enhanced lessons and its effectiveness for EL and non-EL students. Alan's degree is with the secondary option. He teaches at Jordan High School in LBUSD.

Congratulations to our newest graduates!

New Option for the MS in Science Education Degree!

Jim Kisiel helped usher in a new option for the Science Education master's program. We now offer an option in Informal Science Education. This degree is specifically designed for folks who work in informal science education settings such as zoos, aquaria, science centers and the like. The degree includes a course about teaching in settings outside the classroom and a course on managing volunteers and non-profit issues. We hope to be able to offer workshops and professional development for our informal science education colleagues.

New Cohort Joins the Program

About a dozen new students joined the MS program this fall. Three are informal science educators, five will be doing the elementary option and four will be doing the secondary option. They are a particularly strong group with two being Nationally Board Certified. We are pleased to have these new students aboard - they are a welcome addition to our program.