Welcome to Science Education!

The MU Science Education Center is dedicated to the improvement of science teaching and learning, K-20, and to the concomitant generation and communication of knowledge about science teaching and learning. The Center accomplishes its mission through the active collaboration among scientists, science educators, and school-based colleagues. 

MU programs in Science Teacher Preparation help individuals develop knowledge and skills for teaching at different grade levels (early childhood, elementary, middle school, and secondary). Our programs serve students who are science teaching majors, as well as those who hold undergraduate degrees in science and want to become science teachers.

Science Education Graduate programs prepare individuals for K-12 and college science teaching, research and science teaching education careers, and leadership positions in science education. Programs of study are planned individually with a faculty committee based on the student’s background, experience, and professional goals. Our graduate students are fully funded through research and teaching assistantships.

Science Education Faculty are nationally and internationally recognized scholars known for their teaching and research excellence. Our research takes place in K-12 and college classrooms where science education faculty members and graduate researchers, in collaboration with scientists and K-12 teachers, conduct studies of science teaching and learning. We are engaged in a number of research and teacher enhancement projects funded by external sources, such as:     

Finally, MU science educators collaborate with scientists and K-12 schools to offer quality programs for students and for teachers. For example: 

Our teacher preparation and graduate programs, our research, and our outreach to K-12 teachers and their students are all aimed at improving science teaching and learning in Missouri, across the nation, and globally.