Instructional Methods for Middle Grades Science (EDU-238)

This course provides an overview of instructional methods, learning theories, and content knowledge essential for teaching science in the middle grades, emphasizing inquiry, scientific reasoning, and conceptual understanding aligned with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. Emphasis is placed on designing student-centered, hands-on instruction that integrates life, physical, and earth sciences with real-world applications, technology, and engineering design practices that encourage curiosity and critical thinking. Upon completion, students should be able to plan and implement standards-based science lessons that promote inquiry, data analysis, problem-solving, and evidence-based reasoning while adapting instruction to meet the diverse developmental and learning needs of middle grades students.