Lesson 1 Institution’s VMGO and the Course

Why do we have to learn about the course on Teaching Science in

the Elementary Grades (Biology and Chemistry)? Does it help achieve
the vision, mission, goals, and objectives of the institution? In what
way/s? Like any other courses, Teaching Science in the Elementary
Grades open an opportunity for students like you to transform society
and achieve local to country’s development. It prepares you to
understand, contribute and succeed to cope up and meet with the
challenges the world offers. With this course, you will be trained to be an
elementary science teachers in the near future making you one of the
advocates and change agents in the society.

Lesson Outcome:
At the end of this lesson, 75% of the students will be able to:
explain the BU and BUCE VMGO; and
analyze the significance of the course to the vision and mission of the university and to the
VMGO of BUCE.

Activities/Tasks:
Let’s Try This!

How familiar are you with the vision and mission of Bicol University? How about the
vision and mission of the College of Education? In your own words, indicate the vision and
mission of your institution by filling it in the box below with your corresponding answer.

Bicol University College of Education

Vision

Mission

Let’s Read!

Bicol University’s Vision states, “A UNIVERSITY OF EXCELLENCE characterized by

scholarship engagement for the community towards sustainable development.” To achieve this
lofty ideal, it’s mission then stipulates, “shall primarily give professional and technical training
and provide advanced and specialized instruction in literature, philosophy, the sciences and
arts, besides providing for the promotion of scientific and technological researches (RA 5521,
Sec. 3.0)”.

Let’s Study!
 Teaching Science in the Elementary Grades (Biology and Chemistry) is one of the major
courses of a BEED student like you. Its primary aim is to equip the pre-service teachers with the
pedagogical content knowledge in science as well as skills in instructional materials
development and knowledge of the design, selection, organization and use of appropriate
assessment strategies for the primary elementary grades. This course would allow you to
demonstrate and hone your teaching skills in elementary science as you are expected to do a
teaching demonstration at the end of this course. It is an opportunity for you to apply what you
have learned and discover more learnings as you do so.

Now, you may ask a lot of questions like, “what are we going to teach?” or “how are we
going to teach it?” or most importantly, “why do we need to teach science in the elementary
grades?”

Science in itself is a subject worthy to be studying about. It helps us understand from the
bodily functions we have to the world we live in and even the activities beyond this planet. We
benefit from it in solving our everyday scientific problems. And, we do so in a scientific manner
by applying processes in which we can arrive at a sound, logical conclusion. It trains us to be a
scientifically literate individual who is responsible and productive global citizens. Bell, et. al.,
authors of online Teaching Tools for STEM Education, identified four reasons for science to be
a core part of the elementary school learning. According to them, Science can support: (a)
development of a knowledgeable citizenry, (b) meaningful learning of language and
mathematics, (c) wonderment about how the natural world works, and (d) preparation for STEM-
related careers. We live in a world that functions in a delicate pattern. In order to understand
these natural functions, the education sector must produce scientifically literate citizens who can
do decision-making and active participants in civic, political, and cultural discussions related to
science.

When did science education started in the Philippines? During the decade of year
1950s, leading scientists made the Philippine authorities aware of a very inadequate science
teaching from grade school level to college levels both in public and private schools. Efforts to
address this issue were spearheaded by people in authority. It was in the year 1957 when the
Philippine government made the teaching of science compulsory in all elementary and
secondary schools. However, there are still more efforts to be exerted because at this present
time the Philippines is still at the bottom of the TIMSS, Trends in International Mathematics and
Science Study, test. The TIMSS test shows the status of science teaching and students’
achievement in science of our country. Science educators play a very vital role for the
attainment of teaching the subject well.

You are now in preparation to equip yourself not only as a science teacher, but as an
elementary teacher in the near future. Do not waste this opportunity. Are you up for the
challenge? 

Let’s Think About This!

Does having this course achieve the institution’s VMGO? In what way or ways? Write
your answer in the shape below.

Let’s Remember…

BU and BUCE’s VMGO is the institution’s goal and steps to achieve its ideal in the future. Being a
premiere state university in the Bicol Region with a College of Education as Center for Teaching
Excellence, is dedicated to provide service to its students and community to produce productive
 Studying the course, Teaching Science in the Elementary Grades, upholds the VMGO of Bicol
University and College of Education as it provides you with professional and technical training as
well as advanced and specialized instruction in science.

As an elementary pre-service teacher, it is important for you to prepare and equip yourself with the
content and pedagogy in the subject/s you will be teaching.

How much have you learned?

INSTRUCTION: Do what is asked for each item. (5 pts. each)

1. Explain the institution’s VMGO.

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2. How is the course aligned to BU’s VMGO? Answer briefly, but concise.

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