Department of Biological Sciences

This website is part of a larger project at Idaho State University to enhance teacher preparation in the sciences by emphasizing inquiry and experimental approaches to science teaching. In the Biology Teaching Methods course, pre-service biology teachers engage in inquiry-based lessons, familiarize themselves with modern scientific equipment and techniques (videomicroscopes, electronic probeware, electrophoresis equipment), and have multiple opportunities to practice teaching. This website provides these students with the continuity they need to implement the inquiry-based approach in their own classrooms.

The effectiveness of this approach is demonstrated by student performance objectives, student teaching activities, and the success of our students in science classrooms. The long-term impact is improved scientific literacy of teachers and their students.

Project Bios:

Rosemary J. Smith is an Associate Professor of Biology at Idaho State University. Sharolyn J. Belzer is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Idaho State University. They are both actively involved in the preparation of science educators- both future high school and future college biology teachers. At ISU they co-teach the Biology Teaching Methods course for pre-service K-12 students as well as a series of six topical seminars in College Biology Teaching for doctoral students pursuing careers in higher education. They have presented workshops and papers on science education for Project Kaleidoscope, NSF's "Forging a Link" conference, the National Science Teachers Association, the National Association of Biology Teachers, Idaho Science Teachers Association, the Ecological Society of America, and Idaho Public Television.

For more information: link to faculty websites
Belzer
Smith: http://www.isu.edu/~smitrose/

Email Us:
Rosemary J. Smith (smitrose@isu.edu)
Sharolyn J. Belzer

Project Sponsors

The website project is sponsored by a Technology Mediated Instructional Improvement Grant (2002) provided by the Idaho State University Center for Teaching an Learning, and funded by the State Board of Education of Idaho.

Additional funding and support provided by the ISU Department of Biological Sciences, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the ISU College of Education.