THE SCIENCE BACKGROUNDS AND COMPETENCIES OF STUDENTS PREPARING TO TEACH IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

The article investigates the background and knowledge of the subject matter of science possessed by elementary student teachers who were completing their training U.S. schools. The attitudes of teachers in certain areas of science were also investigated, as well as a comparison of their knowledge of science to certain high school students. Results showed that elementary student teachers had taken chemistry in high school more than any other science, and also showed that student teachers preferred biology over other science classes. Reports revealed that student teachers had taken only 0-67 hours of science work in college, and the mean number of semester hours averaged 15.1. Recommendations were made for future student teachers of science.