Interdisciplinary Science
Unlock the Mysteries of Science
Lisa Carloye teaches science courses for non-science majors, and she’s pretty sure that after taking her interdisciplinary course on science, you’ll come away with a new appreciation.
What's different about Professor Carloye's science class?
Carloye's classes are not about vocabulary and memorizing definitions. Since our scientific understanding is always changing and growing, students in her classes study how theories work in science and develop arguments based on evidence.
A quick answer that repeats the simple facts might do in high school, but in college — especially in science — you need to learn how to fully explain in detail how and why something works. That is challenging, but it's a first step in learning how to be a scholar.
"When students can think big and put it on paper, they are prepared for a college career," says Carloye.
A history major teaching science?
"I had no idea what I wanted to study when I first went to college," says Carloye. "I ended up getting a degree in history, which I really appreciated, but I still didn’t know what to do with my life."
"I got a job that took me into the sciences, and then went to graduate school and earned master’s and doctorate degrees in entomology. As a graduate student, I got a teaching assistantship, and that’s when I fell in love with teaching."
What does a science teacher do for fun?
"I have a young family, so right now I play with my kids, go ice skating, and garden. When I have more time, I love to camp and backpack. I love to go to Kamiak Butte, one of my favorite places, and Laird Park in Idaho has a great swimming hole. It’s so much fun to camp close to home."
