Science Teaching & Outreach Graduate Certificate
JUST 12 CREDITS
The certificate in science teaching and outreach prepares science graduate students for careers that include teaching and communicating science to the public. More information on the courses.
DEVELOP A TEACHING PORTFOLIO
Design experiences for the college classroom or for public audiences.
INCREASE YOUR MARKETABILITY
This certificate shows competence in an area that employers value.
Contact information
Dr. Laura Conner
Phone: 907-474-6950
Email: ldconner@alaska.edu
Learn how to communicate science in terms that everyone can understand and help people make better informed decisions.
Explore innovative teaching techniques.
Inspire future scientists.
Practice communicating across the disciplines and with diverse collaborators.
Enhance your resume.
Many grants require an outreach component. Know how to deliver.
REQUIRED CORE COURSES
(7 CREDITS)
STO 666 Scientific Teaching
(2 credits)
Students learn effective active learning techniques for teaching science at the university level, develop teaching activities, and create components of a teaching portfolio.
STO 601 Communicating Science
(2 credits)
Students design science communication efforts and present their own science to peers.
STO 602 Mentoring in the Sciences
(2 credits)
Students learn research-based methods of effective mentoring and develop a mentoring philosophy.
STO 603 Instructional Design
(1 credit)
Students learn pedagogical theory and design a college-level course.
INTERNSHIP (STO 604)
CHOOSE ONE FOCUS
(4 CREDITS)
Higher Education
(4 credits)
Students are paired with a faculty member who will oversee the development and delivery of active learning activities during a regular course within the student’s discipline. Prerequisite: STO 666.
Science Communication
(4 credits)
Students develop a strategic science communication plan and content intended for an external audience, such as a social media campaign, event, or communication effort in other settings/formats. Prerequisite: STO 601.
Out-of-School Education
(4 credits)
Students develop and deliver teaching activities for out-of-school time, such as science camps, museum programs, or other formats or venues. Prerequisite: STO 601.
ADDITIONAL SEMINAR
PICK ONE (1 CREDIT)
STO 692 Current Topics in Scientific Teaching
(1 credit)
This seminar focuses on current pedagogical literature related to science teaching.
MATH 600 Teaching Seminar
(1 credit)
This seminar focuses on skills needed to effectively teach mathematics.
PHYS 605 Physics Teaching Seminar
(1 credit)
This seminar course focuses on the special skills needed to effectively teach physics.
Learning how to design effective educational experiences in the sciences (from a public seminar, to a whole college course) is an invaluable training as a scientist. I highly recommend the program to everyone!Laura Oxtoby, Â鶹¹ÙÍø Technician, Space Physics and Aeronomy at UAF's Geophysical Institute
I am convinced that my College Teaching Certificate (similar to a STO certificate) made me a much more competitive candidate for a tenure-track faculty position and it gave me practical and theoretical skills to be confident and successful in the classroom once arriving at UAF.Sarah Hayes, UAF Assistant Professor of Environmental Chemistry