Distance Learning Montana State University-Bozeman

For CERTIFIED HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS
Graduate Semester Credit: 3
Time Commitment: 9-12 HOURS PER WEEK
Cost: $750

Today's science teacher faces challenges and issues which were just beginning to gain attention 10, 15, or 20 years ago. And, teaching today's science requires both an integrated background and approach in the classroom. Water Quality in the Classroom - A Characterization of the Science and Issues - is a 'must' course for teachers involved in any aspect of biological sciences. Water quality can be called an "integrating" science, serving as a platform for expanded applications of chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, geology, earth science, political and social sciences, and creative arts. The Water Quality in the Classroom course has three central foci:

1. To increase teacher knowledge and assessment skills about the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of water quality investigations.
2. To help teachers develop and implement new pedagogies for teaching water quality concepts in the secondary school science classroom, and Increase teacher awareness and understanding of some of the more significant global water quality issues that will face science teachers and their students in the 21st century.
3. This course teaches water quality concepts and how to demonstrate, explain, and teach them in the science classroom. Course format includes weekly "kitchen counter" experimentation, library and independent research, written homework, discussion.

INSTRUCTOR: James W. Bauder, Ph.D., Soil and Water Quality Specialist in Land Resources and Environmental Sciences at Montana State University. Dr. Bauder is a graduate instructor at MSU and has taught numerous courses for teachers, pre and post-college students, including soil science and water quality. The Dirty Dozen - his course on Soil Science for science teachers - is one of the longest-running courses of the NTEN program. He also designed and taught courses for the Science Teaching Institute of the Rockies at MSU and has conducted summer youth and science teacher continuing education institutes for more than 15 years. Dr. Bauder is also Director for Distant Ed programs of the College of Agriculture and technical Editor for the Soil Science Society of America Journal. He is also a Fellow of two international professional societies.

CREDIT: LRES 580-02 (Land Resources and Environmental Sciences), 3 graduate semester credits.

PREREQUISITES: Bachelor's degree, two years of experience teaching science at the secondary level and completion of a science education methods course.

TIME COMMITMENT: 9 to 12 hours per week. If you are unfamiliar with this field of study and/or telecommunications, this course may require more of your time.

TARGET AUDIENCE: This course is designed for secondary earth science, physical science, geology, geography, and environmental science teachers.

TEXTBOOK/MATERIALS: All course materials will be provided by the instructor and are included in the course materials fee. The primary text books for this course include:

• National Geographic Special Edition, Water - the Power, Promise and Turmoil of North America's Fresh Water, November, 1993
• Field Manual for Water Quality Monitoring, 11th edition, by Mitchell and Stapp
• Montana 4-H Water Is Water Quality - Teacher Training and Resource Manual, by Bauder
• Household Drinking Water Protection and Treatment, Montana State University Bulletin EB102
• Save our Streams - Monitor's Guide to Aquatic Macroinvertebrates, Loren Larkin Kellogg of the Izaak Walton League of America
• LaMotte Stream Monitor's Handbook