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Staci Thomas

Teaching Assistant Professor

Teaching, Learning & Educational Sciences

Orcid identifier0000-0003-1416-6610 (opens in a new tab)⁠
  • Teaching Assistant Professor
    Teaching, Learning & Educational Sciences
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TEACHING SUMMARY

Phenomena is all around us, and science can be defined as making sense of that phenomena. As a science teacher, I believe that my job is to provide opportunities for students to ask questions, design experiments, analyze data, and draw conclusions in order to construct an understanding that is meaningful and applicable. I acknowledge that students are unique individuals with their own prior knowledge and experiences, but are all capable of utilizing 21st century skills to demonstrate scientific literacy.

TEACHING

  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Teaching Science in the Elementary School (Grades 1-8)
    9 Mar 2026 - 1 May 2026
    Curriculum, materials, methods, and procedures related to the theory and practice of science teaching in grades 1-8. Course previously offered as CIED 5083.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Assessment in Science Education
    12 Jan 2026 - 6 Mar 2026
    Guided readings, discussions, and group activities focus on strengthening students' understanding of state and national assessments in science education. Previously offered as SMED 6013.Prerequisite(s): Completion of a Bachelor's degree.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Authentic Research in the Science Classroom
    12 Jan 2026 - 1 May 2026
    This course is designed to strengthen pre-service science teachers’ understanding of how scientific knowledge is generated by engaging in an authentic research experience under the mentorship of a STEM mentor. Students will also learn how to write a scientific manuscript.Prerequisite(s): SMED 1011; SMED 2011; SMED 3013; SMED 4013; and concurrent enrollment in SMED 4613.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Honors Thesis Preparation
    12 Jan 2026 - 1 May 2026
    A guided preparation course for students completing the requirements for college or departmental honors awards leading to an honors thesis, project or report under the direction of a faculty member from one of the undergraduate colleges, with a second faculty reader. This preparation course is typically taken the semester before HONR 4993.Offered for variable credit, 1-3 credit hours, maximum of 6 credit hours.Prerequisite(s): Honors College participation, Senior Standing.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Nature Journaling: Standards-Based Science in the Outdoors
    12 Jan 2026 - 1 May 2026
    Nature journaling involves blending science with art to better understand the natural world through the regular recording of observations, perceptions, patterns, and questions about the natural world. Topics cover a range of scientific background to prepare for teaching grades PreK-8. Course consists of field studies, readings, tutorials, and individual journaling. Best pedagogical practices, common student misconceptions, and the nature of science will be a focus within each topic.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Nature Journaling: Standards-Based Science in the Outdoors
    12 Jan 2026 - 1 May 2026
    Nature journaling involves blending science with art to better understand the natural world through the regular recording of observations, perceptions, patterns, and questions about the natural world. Topics cover a range of scientific background to prepare for teaching grades PreK-8. Course consists of field studies, readings, tutorials, and individual journaling. Best pedagogical practices, common student misconceptions, and the nature of science will be a focus within each topic.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Teaching the Nature of Science Through an Inquiry Approach
    12 Jan 2026 - 1 May 2026
    This course is designed to assist pre-service science teachers in developing skills to teach science through an inquiry approach. Guided readings, discussions, group activities, and classroom field experiences, will focus on strengthening views on the nature of science. Course previously offered as CIED 4613. May not be used for degree credit with SMED 5203.Prerequisite(s): Full admission to professional education.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Science in the Elementary School Curriculum
    18 Aug 2025 - 5 Dec 2025
    The purposes, selection and organization of content, teaching and learning procedures and evaluation of outcomes in elementary school science. Course previously offered as CIED 4353.Prerequisite(s): Completion of 12 hours with a grade of 'C' or better in required science courses and be fully admitted to Professional Education.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Science in the Elementary School Curriculum
    18 Aug 2025 - 5 Dec 2025
    The purposes, selection and organization of content, teaching and learning procedures and evaluation of outcomes in elementary school science. Course previously offered as CIED 4353.Prerequisite(s): Completion of 12 hours with a grade of 'C' or better in required science courses and be fully admitted to Professional Education.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Science in the Elementary School Curriculum
    18 Aug 2025 - 5 Dec 2025
    The purposes, selection and organization of content, teaching and learning procedures and evaluation of outcomes in elementary school science. Course previously offered as CIED 4353.Prerequisite(s): Completion of 12 hours with a grade of 'C' or better in required science courses and be fully admitted to Professional Education.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Teaching and Learning Science in the Secondary School
    18 Aug 2025 - 5 Dec 2025
    Assists students in developing safe classroom practices, science curriculum, and educational assessments supported by teaching and learning theories. Weekly classroom field experiences are required. Must be taken the semester prior to student teaching/internship. May not be used for degree credit with SMED 5713.Prerequisite(s): CIED 4613, and full admission to Professional Education.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Teaching Science in the Elementary School (Grades 1-8)
    10 Mar 2025 - 2 May 2025
    Curriculum, materials, methods, and procedures related to the theory and practice of science teaching in grades 1-8. Course previously offered as CIED 5083.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Authentic Research in the Science Classroom
    13 Jan 2025 - 2 May 2025
    This course is designed to strengthen pre-service science teachers’ understanding of how scientific knowledge is generated by engaging in an authentic research experience under the mentorship of a STEM mentor. Students will also learn how to write a scientific manuscript.Prerequisite(s): SMED 1011; SMED 2011; SMED 3013; SMED 4013; and concurrent enrollment in SMED 4613.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Science in the Elementary School Curriculum
    13 Jan 2025 - 2 May 2025
    The purposes, selection and organization of content, teaching and learning procedures and evaluation of outcomes in elementary school science. Course previously offered as CIED 4353.Prerequisite(s): Completion of 12 hours with a grade of 'C' or better in required science courses and be fully admitted to Professional Education.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Senior Seminar in Secondary Mathematics and Science Education
    13 Jan 2025 - 2 May 2025
    Explores classroom management and discipline approaches as well as teacher research, parental involvement, school climate and community relations. May not be used for degree credit with SMED 5723.Prerequisite(s): SMED 1011, SMED 2011, SMED 3013, SMED 4013, SMED 4023, CIED 4613 or CIED 4003, and CIED 4713 or CIED 4053, and full admission to Professional Education.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Teaching the Nature of Science Through an Inquiry Approach
    13 Jan 2025 - 2 May 2025
    This course is designed to assist pre-service science teachers in developing skills to teach science through an inquiry approach. Guided readings, discussions, group activities, and classroom field experiences, will focus on strengthening views on the nature of science. Course previously offered as CIED 4613. May not be used for degree credit with SMED 5203.Prerequisite(s): Full admission to professional education.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Assessment in Science Education
    19 Aug 2024 - 6 Dec 2024
    Guided readings, discussions, and group activities focus on strengthening students' understanding of state and national assessments in science education. Previously offered as SMED 6013.Prerequisite(s): Completion of a Bachelor's degree.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Science in the Elementary School Curriculum
    19 Aug 2024 - 6 Dec 2024
    The purposes, selection and organization of content, teaching and learning procedures and evaluation of outcomes in elementary school science. Course previously offered as CIED 4353.Prerequisite(s): Completion of 12 hours with a grade of 'C' or better in required science courses and be fully admitted to Professional Education.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Science in the Elementary School Curriculum
    19 Aug 2024 - 6 Dec 2024
    The purposes, selection and organization of content, teaching and learning procedures and evaluation of outcomes in elementary school science. Course previously offered as CIED 4353.Prerequisite(s): Completion of 12 hours with a grade of 'C' or better in required science courses and be fully admitted to Professional Education.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Science in the Elementary School Curriculum
    19 Aug 2024 - 6 Dec 2024
    The purposes, selection and organization of content, teaching and learning procedures and evaluation of outcomes in elementary school science. Course previously offered as CIED 4353.Prerequisite(s): Completion of 12 hours with a grade of 'C' or better in required science courses and be fully admitted to Professional Education.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Authentic Research in the Science Classroom
    16 Jan 2024 - 3 May 2024
    This course is designed to strengthen pre-service science teachers’ understanding of how scientific knowledge is generated by engaging in an authentic research experience under the mentorship of a STEM mentor. Students will also learn how to write a scientific manuscript.Prerequisite(s): SMED 1011; SMED 2011; SMED 3013; SMED 4013; and concurrent enrollment in SMED 4613.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Science in the Elementary School Curriculum
    16 Jan 2024 - 3 May 2024
    The purposes, selection and organization of content, teaching and learning procedures and evaluation of outcomes in elementary school science. Course previously offered as CIED 4353.Prerequisite(s): Completion of 12 hours with a grade of 'C' or better in required science courses and be fully admitted to Professional Education.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Science in the Elementary School Curriculum
    16 Jan 2024 - 3 May 2024
    The purposes, selection and organization of content, teaching and learning procedures and evaluation of outcomes in elementary school science. Course previously offered as CIED 4353.Prerequisite(s): Completion of 12 hours with a grade of 'C' or better in required science courses and be fully admitted to Professional Education.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Senior Seminar in Secondary Mathematics and Science Education
    16 Jan 2024 - 3 May 2024
    Explores classroom management and discipline approaches as well as teacher research, parental involvement, school climate and community relations. May not be used for degree credit with SMED 5723.Prerequisite(s): SMED 1011, SMED 2011, SMED 3013, SMED 4013, SMED 4023, CIED 4613 or CIED 4003, and CIED 4713 or CIED 4053, and full admission to Professional Education.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Teaching the Nature of Science Through an Inquiry Approach
    16 Jan 2024 - 3 May 2024
    This course is designed to assist pre-service science teachers in developing skills to teach science through an inquiry approach. Guided readings, discussions, group activities, and classroom field experiences, will focus on strengthening views on the nature of science. Course previously offered as CIED 4613. May not be used for degree credit with SMED 5203.Prerequisite(s): Full admission to professional education.