Inquiry-based science instruction is a major goal of science education reform. However, there is little research examining how preservice elementary teachers might be motivated to teach through inquiry. This quantitative study was designed to examine the role of background experiences and an inquiry science methods course on interest in science and interest in teaching science. The course included many activities and assignments at varying levels of inquiry, designed to teach content and inquiry methods and to model effective teaching. The study involved analyses of surveys completed by students in the course on their experiences with science before, during, and at the end of the course. The following questions guided the design of this study and analysis of the data: 1.What science background experiences (school, home, and informal education) do participants have and how do those experiences affect initial interest in science? 2.Among the hands-on activities in the methods course, is there a relationship between level of inquiry of the activity and the motivational quality (interesting, fun, and learning) of the activity? 3.Does the course affect participants’ interest and attitude toward science? 4.What aspects of the course contribute to participants’ interest in teaching science and choice to teach science? Descriptive and inferential analysis of a background survey revealed that participants with high and low initial interest in science differed significantly on remembering about elementary school science and involvement in science related activities in childhood/youth. Analysis of daily ratings of each hands-on activity on motivational qualities (fun, interest, and learning) indicated that there were significant differences in motivational quality of the activities by level of inquiry with higher levels of inquiry rated more positively. Pre/post surveys indicated that participants increased in interest in science and a number of variables reflecting more positive feelings about science and science teaching. Regression analysis found that the best predictors for interest in teaching science were experiencing fun activities in the science methods course followed by the interest participants brought to the course. This study highlights the motivational aspects of the methods course in developing interest in science and interest in teaching science.

There were several purposes to this study using a Spearman Rho correlation mixed method design. The first aim of this study was to address notable themes about science engagement from school leaders and science writing. The second purpose was to determine how postsecondary students' description of student engagement in elementary K-6 science classrooms correlate with students' writing quality. The final purpose of this study focused on a call for guidance to determine how students’ ratings of engagement from various teaching models, strategies, and techniques during elementary K-6 science activities correlate with students’ writing quality. Data were collected in the study using two instruments consisting of a survey and writing quality samples. The participants completed the Post-Secondary Survey of Science Engagement-Elementary Version (PSSSE-EV) survey and a college writing sample assignment from an introductory biochemistry course. The results of this study demonstrated postsecondary biochemistry students' memories of their elementary science engagement and college writing quality sample had no significant correlation between students' K-6 science engagement. Results also indicate the principals and assistant principals have no direct involvement in leading the students to engage in elementary K-6 science classroom engagement. Finally, results from the themes that emerged from the participants’ writing samples indicated students' inspiration and motivation to further their education in a science related field emerged. It also revealed that students who became involved in science did so because of their own efforts and encouragement of great teachers as leaders.

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