22910314 - TEACHING OF NATURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

The course of Natural and Environmental Science Education is aimed at offering insightful and operational didactic tools to bring children closer to the knowledge of the natural world and scientific thought. In this regard, the course has the following educational objectives:
- present some basic knowledge elements on earth sciences and biogeochemical cycles, offering insights into the scientific research methodology.
- present some basic knowledge elements on ecology and nature conservation, offering insights into the scientific research methodology.
- present and discuss the aims and contents of science teaching in the early stages of education, the stages, the guiding ideas and the teaching methods from kindergarten to primary school.
- promote an understanding of the social, technological, economic, and cultural implications of scientific research on the environment.

By studying Natural and Environmental Science Education, the student will achieve the following learning objectives.
As regards knowledge and understanding:
-knowledge on the inter-relationships among organisms and with the physical environment, the effects of anthropogenic impacts on ecosystems and the prospects for nature conservation.
- awareness on scientific research and ongoing international debates on the preservation and sustainable management of natural resources.
-knowledge on research on and focuses of natural science education during childhood.
As regards applying knowledge and understanding:
- ability to illustrate and uphold basic elements of earth sciences and ecology, in the prospect of teaching in kindergarten and primary school.
- ability to develop and implement educational and didactic projects on natural and environmental sciences in the classroom, preparing the necessary materials, planning, and carrying out didactic experiments.
- ability to involve the students, through educational tools, while respecting the environment and other living beings and to promote responsible behaviors in terms of sustainability.
As regards independent thinking:
- awareness on the methodological aspects of current research on natural and environmental sciences and of their advancements
-awareness on the professional responsibility of the teacher in compulsory school in terms of environmental ethics.
As regards communication skills:
-ability to communicate contents related to natural and environmental processes through a technical-scientific language, calibrated with the contextual school level.
- ability to set up teaching methodologies for group work, storytelling, class discussion aimed at understanding the natural processes and phenomena and related scientific knowledge.
As regards learning skills:
- openness to discussions and willingness to always improve their own skills and knowledge about nature and the environment and Natural and Environmental Science Education using the available recent literature on the topics.
- aptitude towards transmitting the acquired knowledge about natural and environmental topics in a comprehensible way, through continuous updates about issues related to natural processes and environmental conservation.

scheda docente | materiale didattico

Programma

The course will be taught using student-centered learning techniques, using various teaching approaches in order to stimulate students with different learning styles. Specifically, these strategies will be applied in the teaching of the topics reported below, integrating both creativity and a sound knowledge of the subject.
Introductory Lesson. Evolution. Evolution mechanisms and Speciation. Terrestrial and aquatic Ecosystems. Biomes. Climatic changes. Relationships among living beings and Ecological pyramids. Biogeochemical cycles. Biological communities. Biodiversity and Biodiversity conservation. Ecological niches. Relationships between organisms and the physical environment. Stressors for organisms. Landscape ecology. Urban ecosystems. Ecosystem services. Strategies for teaching Natural Sciences.

Testi Adottati

Thomas M. Smith & Robert Leo Smith, Elementi di Ecologia, Pearson Editor.
Didactic notes provided by the instructor.

Office Hours: before or after class by appointment by email: valentina.savo@uniroma3.it

Bibliografia Di Riferimento

Thomas M. Smith & Robert Leo Smith, Elementi di Ecologia, Pearson Editor. Didactic notes provided by the instructor. Office Hours: before or after class by appointment by email: valentina.savo@uniroma3.it

Modalità Erogazione

THE COURSE ENTAILS FRONTAL LESSONS. DURING THE FRONTAL LESSONS, THEORETICAL CONCEPTS ARE EXPLAINED USING CLASS DISCUSSIONS AND POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS.

Modalità Frequenza

THE COURSE ENTAILS FRONTAL LESSONS. DURING THE FRONTAL LESSONS, THEORETICAL CONCEPTS ARE EXPLAINED USING CLASS DISCUSSIONS AND POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS.

Modalità Valutazione

THE EXAM IS WRITTEN WITH FOUR QUESTIONS WITH A DIFFERENT DIFFICULTY: THE FIRST QUESTION IS SIMPLER AND LONGER, ON A GENERAL TOPIC, AND AS SUCH IT IS CONSIDERED FUNDAMENTAL: FAILING THIS QUESTION MEANS FAILING THE EXAM. THE SECOND AND THIRD QUESTIONS HAVE A MEDIUM DIFFICULTY AND LENGTH WHILE THE LAST QUESTION IS SHORT AND RELATIVELY HARDER. THE FIRST QUESTION GIVES YOU 18 POINTS, THE SECOND AND THIRD QUESTION GIVE FIVE POINTS EACH WHILE THE FOURTH QUESTION GIVES YOU TWO POINTS.