C978: Science Methods—Secondary Earth Science

Science Methods—Secondary Earth Science closes the Earth Science endorsement track with genuine three-dimensional teaching methods and real laboratory safety certification.

What C978 covers

The course focuses on teaching methods specific to science for graduate students seeking an endorsement in secondary earth science. Course content focuses on the design and teaching of standards-based lessons using the three dimensions of science (science and engineering practices, crosscutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas) and the appropriate integration of technology into those lessons.

Students work within their content areas to evaluate, enhance, and plan appropriate science instruction. This course includes laboratory safety training and certification, covering safe laboratory practices, procedures for science classrooms, and proper use of personal protective equipment. Previous coursework in curriculum, instruction, and assessment is a prerequisite.

The C978 performance assessment

Expect a performance assessment requiring you to design a standards-based secondary Earth science lesson using the three dimensions of science, plus evidence of lab safety competency.

Key topics in C978

• Three-dimensional Earth science teaching methods
• Standards-based lesson design
• Laboratory safety training and certification
• Technology integration in Earth science teaching

Writing tips for C978

Follow the task instructions and rubric line by line

WGU performance assessments for C978 are graded against a fixed rubric — every rubric line has to be visibly addressed, usually with a labeled heading that mirrors the rubric language. Skipping a rubric point because it seems minor is the single most common reason a competent submission comes back "Not Yet Competent" for revision.

Remember this program serves already-licensed teachers adding an endorsement

M.A. Science Education courses like C978 are designed for candidates who are already licensed teachers seeking an ADDITIONAL science endorsement, not first-time teacher-candidates. Written work can assume a baseline of classroom experience and should focus on the specific science content and pedagogy gap the endorsement fills.

Because WGU is self-paced, don't let "no deadline pressure" become no submission

There's no weekly due date forcing progress, which means procrastination costs more at WGU than at a traditional term-based school — a stalled task can quietly eat weeks of a term. Treat your own target date for each C978 assessment as a real deadline.

Why students seek help with C978

Candidates sometimes address only disciplinary core ideas and skip crosscutting concepts and science/engineering practices — the rubric typically wants all three dimensions genuinely integrated, not content knowledge alone.

How GradeEssays helps with C978

Share your topic and rubric, and your writer will build a lesson genuinely integrating all three dimensions of science, not disciplinary content alone.

Prerequisites and program context

C978 requires previous coursework in curriculum, instruction, and assessment as a prerequisite.

• Master of Arts Science Education (Secondary Earth Science)

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