Masters and doctoral programs in science education are based on the premise that prospective and practicing teachers must become more directly involved with the source of contemporary knowledge--the scientific research laboratory--so that they can bring the substance and spirit of contemporary science into the schools.

Programs emphasize the need for teachers to:

• Possess an integrated, up-to-date background in science so they can represent it in the schools;
• Represent scientific knowledge in terms of models and analogies that are derived from laboratory experiences and that are consistent with students' learning styles and ability levels;
• Identify and integrate into their own instructional programs materials available via communication technologies such as the Internet;
• Establish some ongoing link with the scientific community so they can continually represent the investigative nature of science.

Technology plays a crucial role in all graduate programs in this program area, and all of the faculty are carrying out projects that involve technology as a pedagogical tool.