By ERIN HOPKINS
Staff Writer

Bayer Facts of Science Education X, a national survey that polled teachers and education students, suggests that students majoring in education may not be as prepared to teach science as they would be reading, writing and math.

Misty Chapman, a junior elementary education major, said English and language arts are important because if education majors do not know to explain the material properly, they are not going to be successful in teaching science or any other subject.

"The children may not necessarily need to be taught the higher sciences so it is not stressed as much as reading, writing and math," Chapman said.

According to the survey, conducted by Bayer Corporation of Bayer HealthCare LLC, science is still a subject placed last in importance in both college teaching programs and in the classrooms.

Dr. Connie LaBorde, the associate dean of undergraduate studies and field clinical experiences and associate professor of health and exercise studies, said a strong background in education is important in order to be a well-rounded teacher.

"[The education department] has incorporated a new science program to better equip our students," LaBorde said.

LaBorde said the College of Education is working alongside the College of Engineering and Sciences to incorporate more hands-on classes, such as labs, for the students.

Dr. Jenna Carpenter, an associate professor of mathematics and statistics, said math and science are connected in many ways, though the students may not see them.

"Our goal is to take the introductory math, chemistry, physics and biology that the students need to take and try to help [the education students] connect better," Carpenter said.

Carpenter said the classes will engage the students more and, if the students can understand the connections, they will be able to learn the material easier. Carpenter also said the physics, chemistry and biology departments have renovated and re-equipped a lab in Carson-Taylor Hall with new technology using the money received from a grant received from the National Science Foundation.

"We are going to be teaching chemistry and physics all in one lab, which will prove to be more efficient for the students," Carpenter said.

Carpenter said this will more efficient because it will bring all the materials into one classroom instead of having them in different locations. Classes in science and math are not just beneficial for their learning but for their ability to teach the material.

Carpenter said it helps the students see how math and science are connected so they can better understand those subjects and how to teach them in a classroom.

"For education majors this is not just so they learn this information," Carpenter said" "But also to model to them a good way to teach science and math."