Features of the Fort Hays Science Teacher Program

• A common set of goals for methods course across all secondary science areas has been established. This is coordinated through a university-level committee.
• All science departments collaborate with respect to preservice secondary science education majors (creation of a common science teaching methods course and creation of a common recruitment brochure)
• State performance assessment included also in methods classes
• Preservice science teachers are required to teach university laboratory classes with university faculty
• Science and Mathematics Education Center: www.fhsu.edu/scimathcenter  
• A student chapter of National Science Teachers Association is active
• An annual trip to the state science teachers meeting is offered to all science teachers, K-12 – KATS – establishing professional connections
• Annual/Bi-yearly trip is organized to a national/regional science teachers meeting (AAPT, NSTA)
• Opportunities for employment of secondary science teachers exist through obtained grants
• Student membership in discipline-specific student clubs is strongly encouraged - Physics Club, Astronomy Club, Chemistry Club etc.
• Currently, we are creating a Science and math outreach center which would provide development opportunities for both preservice and inservice science teachers.