• Year-long program
• 200 contact hours/20 PLUs
• Comprised of 3 separate courses, with an additional embedded authentic residency/field experience requirement
• Virtual/blended delivery model; local school or school system delivery models may vary
  • Up to 50% of the class may be face-to-face and up to 50% virtual 

Candidates will:

• integrate science and engineering practices, crosscutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas in science.
• use safety practices, apply “real world” phenomena, and integrate science disciplines and other subject areas including mathematics and literacy.

To be eligible to enroll in the K-5 Science endorsement program, the educator must have: 

• A valid, T-4 or higher Induction, Professional, Advanced Professional, or Lead Professional teaching certificate in one of the following fields:
  • Elementary Education (P-5)
  • Middle Grades Science (4-8)
  • Special Education General Curriculum/ Elementary Education (P-5)
  • The following certificates combined with a core academic content concentration in Science:
    • Special Education General Curriculum (P-12)
    • Special Education Adapted Curriculum (P-12)
    • Special Education Behavior Disorders (P-12)
    • Special Education Learning Disabilities (P-12)
    • Special Education Deaf Education (P-12)
    • Special Education Physical and Health Disabilities (P-12)
    • Special Education Visual Impairment (P-12) 
    • Gifted Certificate (P-12) 
• A minimum of one year of teaching experience

Tuition Costs

• Metro RESA Model (Available October 2023)
  -The individual course cost is $525 (includes NSTA membership and Learning Center access, embedded residency, and non-consumable science materials).
  -The total cost for all three required courses is $1575.
  -Participants will not be allowed to begin each course until payment is received by Metro RESA.
  -All fees are non-refundable.
   
• System, District, or School Model
  -Please contact the Metro RESA K-5 Science Endorsement Coordinator at reagan.biwott@mresa.org for more information.

Course I focuses on preparing K-5 science endorsement candidates to:

• Select and use a variety of formative and summative assessment techniques to monitor student progress, gauge students’ scientific understanding, reflect on practices, and plan/adjust instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners.
• Understand and utilize the major reform documents of science education, such as A Framework for K-12 Science Education, as they are applied in the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE)
• Understand the major concepts and principles of the science disciplines (life, physical, and earth and space) and interdisciplinary science perspectives as defined by A Framework for K-12 Science Education
• Integrate science content, science & engineering practices, and crosscutting concepts in order to develop conceptual understanding and engaging 3-dimensional learning experiences for students. 

Candidates will complete the following Culminating Task during Course I:

• Differentiated Science Unit – Candidates will develop a plan to assess students, analyze data, and determine how to differentiate based on assessment data, interest, learning style and/or ability as students use science practices, crosscutting concepts, and core ideas to make sense of phenomena. 

Course II focuses on preparing K-5 science endorsement candidates to:

• Plan and facilitate 3-dimensional learning that integrates science with technology and other disciplines such as literature, social studies, mathematics, art, etc.
• Understand and utilize the major reform documents of science education, such as A Framework for K-12 Science Education, as they are applied in the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE)
• Understand the major concepts and principles of the science disciplines (life, physical, and earth and space) and interdisciplinary science perspectives as defined by A Framework for K-12 Science Education
• Integrate science content, science & engineering practices, and crosscutting concepts in order to develop conceptual understanding and engaging 3-dimensional learning experiences for students. 

Candidates will complete the following Culminating Task during Course II:

• Integrated Science Unit - Candidates will plan a unit that centers technology as a tool for student sensemaking and communicating and requires student use of a combination of science, literature, social studies, or mathematics core ideas and practices to make sense of real-world phenomena.

Course III focuses on preparing K-5 science endorsement candidates to:

• Understand the vertical alignment of science core ideas across grades K-8 and utilize this understanding to plan and facilitate learning paths students may take as they work toward mastery of various science core ideas.
• Develop and facilitate lessons at K-2 and 3-5 grade bands that highlight the use of engineering practices to solve relevant, authentic engineering design problems and that help support students’ understanding of the related science/math/technology standards at the grade level of focus.
• Understand and utilize the major reform documents of science education, such as A Framework for K-12 Science Education, as they are applied in the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE)
• Understand the major concepts and principles of the science disciplines (life, physical, and earth and space) and interdisciplinary science perspectives as defined by A Framework for K-12 Science Education
• Integrate science content, science & engineering practices, and crosscutting concepts in order to develop conceptual understanding and engaging 3-dimensional learning experiences for students. 

Candidates will complete the following Culminating Tasks during Course III:

• Learning Progressions/Vertical Alignment Lessons –Candidates will work in collaborative pairs to develop lessons around a science core idea that vertically progresses across the K-2, 3-5, and/or 6-8 levels.
• STEM Lessons – Working in pairs at different grade bands, candidates will develop two lessons that facilitate student use of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to solve an authentic problem.

The authentic residency or field experience/internship is an ongoing component of the K-5 science endorsement, providing candidates with an opportunity to be immersed in observing and teaching students at the K-2, 3-5 and/or 6-8 levels. Candidates curate a portfolio of artifacts based on their experiences throughout the endorsement.

Resource Requirements

• Computer with working camera, audio, and stable internet capabilities compatible with Chrome and supporting the Blackboard platform
• Consumable materials to be purchased by the participant at a cost of up to $25 per course.