The APS Department’s General Astronomy track was developed to facilitate student involvement and accreditation in K-12 teaching here in Colorado, so students preparing for K-12 teaching should take course requirements to fulfill the General Astronomy track with special attention given to the specific recommendations given below for the various K-12 levels.  Recent APS graduates are now enrolled in Masters’ education degree programs or have teaching jobs in the area (e.g., Lakewood, Boulder, etc).

All students preparing for K-12 teaching careers should consult with Education School advisors about Ed school requirements at your earliest convenience for the specific grade levels you are interested in.

All students preparing for K-12 teaching careers should obtain classroom teaching experience while here at CU.  A joint program between several science departments (including APS, Physics, the Biologies, and Applied Mathematics) and the Education School seeks to provide science teacher training while you are here at CU.  Stipends are available for classroom work by “peer learning instructors” (a.k.a. “learning assistants” or “undergraduate TAs”) in our introductory classes for non-majors.  Watch for announcements about this program and ask your mentor if you want to become involved.

High School Teaching

Physical Science teaching at the High School level will require you to teach Physics, and possibly Chemistry, in addition to Astronomy, if the school where you teach offers Astronomy (not all do).  Therefore, a solid background in Physics is required, which could include either:

  • Astrophysics/Physics APS degree track OR
  • General Astronomy track with the following courses minimally required:
  • PHYS 2130 General Physics 3 (3) [requires Calculus III] or
  • PHYS 2170 Foundations of Modern Physics (3) [requires Calculus III]
  • (+ we suggests: PHYS 2150 Experimental Physics (1) [Taken with PHYS 2170])
  • Calculus III in either Math or Applied Math Departments
  • Chemistry I 1113 & 1114 + Chemistry II 1133 & 1134 (10)

Either emphasis within APS is appropriate: Planetary Science or Stars and Galaxies.

Middle School Teaching

In Colorado the Middle School requirement for physical science is called “Earth and Space Science”.  Therefore, the most appropriate concentration area in APS is Planetary Science.  The General Astronomy track is adequate for this career goal.

Your other science sequence should be taken in Geology.  You should also take at least one weather and/or climate course from the Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences Dept. like:

  • ATOC 1050: Weather and the Atmosphere (3)
  • ATOC 1060: Our Changing Environment: El Nino, Ozone and Climate (3)
  • ATOC 1070: Weather and the Atmosphere Laboratory (1)

While this career goal does not specifically require you to take Calculus III and Physics III, you will have a greater choice of upper division coursework in APS if you do.  Otherwise, for your sophomore level APS requirement take either:

  • ASTR 2500 (ASEN 1400) Gateway to Space (3) {check availability}! OR
  • ASTR 2600 Computational Techniques (3)
Primary Grade Teaching

It is wonderfully laudable for you to consider teaching at this level with a science background because you could easily find yourself as the resource person in science for your entire school.

The General Astronomy track is adequate for your needs.  Like preparation for Middle School, you do not need to take PHYS III and Calculus III, and so you should take:

  • ASTR 2600 Computational Techniques (3)
  • ASTR 2500(ASEN 1400) Gateway to Space (3) {check availability}!

Unlike Middle School preparation you have more choice in other science courses you can take to meet the General astronomy degree requirement.

Take advantage of the Fiske Planetarium while you are here at CU.  You can even consider doing practicum work at Fiske developing learning modules and outreach projects in conjunction with the Fiske staff.