EARTH SCIENCE EXPOSURE: HOW DO NEW YORK AND MAINE PREPARE THEIR EDUCATORS TO INTRODUCE EARTH SCIENCE IN SIXTH GRADE?

Sixth grade earth science is often overlooked in K-12 science education. However, it builds a solid foundation for the appreciation of the earth sciences as well as lifelong interest in our environment. New York and Maine have similar sixth grade science curricula, however the presentation of these curricula varies widely due to the content required by the states as well as teacher preparation and knowledge. Both New York and Maine certify sixth grade teachers as generalist, which means that these teachers can and do have varied, and sometimes limited, science backgrounds. This can serve as a detrimental factor in the early development of science appreciation. By comparing two schools, one in New York and one in Maine, we hope to highlight the differences in the states' early earth science exposure and shed light on the experiences of the professionals hired to teach sixth grade.