Science teaching is a highly rewarding career that is also a high-demand profession. As society grows ever more technically demanding and technology dependent, America needs a population that understands and appreciates science. That means well-trained science teachers. The science education program at UW-Stout will prepare you for a career in teaching science at the middle school and secondary levels. Graduates of the program are eligible for broadfield science licensure in Wisconsin.
Preparing for UW-Stout
Interested?
For a successful career in science teaching, you should have an aptitude for helping others and a love of science. As a high school student, you should complete four years of math and one year each of biology, chemistry and physics. College prepatory English and basic computer and communication skills will also be helpful in your preparation for college. We strongly encourage gaining experience in helping others learn by being a tutor, working in study groups, and participating in extra-curricular activities involving science or teaching.
Starting Out
Your first semesters in the program will include coursework in general education topics such as English, speech and math. You will also start building your science content core with physics and biology courses. In your second year, you will continue to build expertise in the sciences with chemistry, biology, and earth science courses. You will also begin to study the theory and practice of teaching with courses in educational psychology and the foundations of education.
As You Progress
After your first two years, you will focus on rounding out your scientific knowledge with further courses in physics, chemistry, biology, and earth and space sciences. You will also develop expertise in teaching theory and practice through coursework and fieldwork in areas of science curriculum and instruction, assessment, classroom management, multiculturalism, and the teaching profession.
Field experiences throughout your program will lead up to a full semester of student teaching in the classroom, working with a cooperating teacher. We encourage our students to participate in teaching experiences both within and outside of the program, such as Science Olympiad and science fairs.
Admission Requirements
In addition to fulfilling the universityís basic admission requirements, you must also rank in the upper 40 percent of your graduating class or have an ACT composite score of 22 and a mathematics score of 22. If you are a nontraditional or transfer student, the director of the Science Education concentration will establish criteria for your admission in accordance with freshman standards.
Entry Positions
Science education is a high demand area. School districts reported 100 emergency hires to Wisconsin's Department of Public Instruction in 2004-05, illustrating a current shortage of science teachers in the state. The National Education Association (NEA) also reports a science teacher shortage in Wisconsin. According to a recent NEA report of school statistics, the average 2004-05 teacher salary in Wisconsin was $44,299 and in $46,906 in Minnesota. UW-Stout's teacher education programs have reported consistently high employment rates.