Several media outlets recently published stories using the word “termination” in conjunction with the graduate student programs in science education at the University of Iowa College of Education. However, the programs have not been terminated. In fact, they are thriving. Let me explain.

Several years ago, organizational changes within the College of Education resulted in transforming the graduate degree programs in Science Education into a subspecialty within the Graduate Program in Teaching and Learning. The organizational change simply brings Science Education into line with other programmatic sub-specialties in the College of Education.

The Iowa Board of Regents recently voted on closing the old programs in order to offer science education degrees in their new administrative home, the Department of Teaching and Learning.

The complete story here demonstrates that the UI Science Education Graduate Programs are flourishing, with 36 master’s and doctoral students, five faculty members, and more than $2 million in public and private external funding for research and practice.

As key participants in the important work of Gov. Branstad’s STEM Advisory Council, we at the UI College of Education want to let everyone know that UI science education has had an impressive past, but it also has a strong present and an even brighter future.

Margaret Crocco

Dean and Professor

University of Iowa College of Education