CURRENTLY FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECTS
Constructing and Critiquing Arguments in Middle School Science Classrooms
Currently funded by both the Carnegie Corporation of NY and the National Science Foundation (Co-PI with Dr. Suzanna Loper, Lawrence Hall of Science; Jacqueline Barber, Lawrence Hall of Science; Dr. P. David Pearson, University of California, Berkeley), this project is a collaboration with the Lawrence Hall of Science focusing on reading, writing and talking arguments in middle school science classrooms. The goal of this project is to develop and research a rich assessment system and multimedia educative curriculum materials (MECMs) to help teachers better support their students in constructing and critiquing arguments in science across the modalities.
I am looking for new doctoral students for this project. Click here for more information on the Ph.D. program in Curriculum and Instruction at Boston College.
Science Educators for Urban Schools
This project is funded by the National Science Foundation (Co-PI with Dr. Audrey Friedman, Boston College; Dr. Vidya Madhaven, Boston College). This grant focuses on the preparation, support and retention of individuals who received an undergraduate degree in the sciences to earn a masters in science education and then teach science in urban schools.
PREVIOUSLY FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECTS
Supporting Grade 5-8 Students in Scientific Explanation.
This project was funded by both the National Science Foundation and Boston College. We developed a book for educators about how to support grade 5-8 students in constructing scientific explanations and arguments, which included examples of student writing and video cases from science classrooms. Furthermore, we also conducted a research study to investigate the impact of the book and accompanying professional development on teachers' beliefs and classroom practices to support students in constructing scientific explanations.
Urban EcoLab: How do we develop healthy and sustainable cities?
Funded by the National Science Foundation (Co-PI with Dr. Eric Strauss, Boston College; Dr. Mike Barnett, Boston College; Mr. Frank Reece, The Urban Ecology Institute; Dr. Tracey Hall, Center for Applied Special Technologies), this grant focused on the development and study of an urban ecology curriculum that engages youth in science by providing a locally relevant, field-based course for urban high school students. During the 2008-2009 school year, we piloted the curriculum with approximately thirty-five teachers in Boston, NYC, Chicago, San Diego, and Tucson to evaluate the effectiveness of the curriculum as well as how as different factors (e.g. teachers adaptations and features of the curriculum) impacted student learning.
Currently funded by both the Carnegie Corporation of NY and the National Science Foundation (Co-PI with Dr. Suzanna Loper, Lawrence Hall of Science; Jacqueline Barber, Lawrence Hall of Science; Dr. P. David Pearson, University of California, Berkeley), this project is a collaboration with the Lawrence Hall of Science focusing on reading, writing and talking arguments in middle school science classrooms. The goal of this project is to develop and research a rich assessment system and multimedia educative curriculum materials (MECMs) to help teachers better support their students in constructing and critiquing arguments in science across the modalities.
I am looking for new doctoral students for this project. Click here for more information on the Ph.D. program in Curriculum and Instruction at Boston College.
Science Educators for Urban Schools
This project is funded by the National Science Foundation (Co-PI with Dr. Audrey Friedman, Boston College; Dr. Vidya Madhaven, Boston College). This grant focuses on the preparation, support and retention of individuals who received an undergraduate degree in the sciences to earn a masters in science education and then teach science in urban schools.
PREVIOUSLY FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECTS
Supporting Grade 5-8 Students in Scientific Explanation.
This project was funded by both the National Science Foundation and Boston College. We developed a book for educators about how to support grade 5-8 students in constructing scientific explanations and arguments, which included examples of student writing and video cases from science classrooms. Furthermore, we also conducted a research study to investigate the impact of the book and accompanying professional development on teachers' beliefs and classroom practices to support students in constructing scientific explanations.
Urban EcoLab: How do we develop healthy and sustainable cities?
Funded by the National Science Foundation (Co-PI with Dr. Eric Strauss, Boston College; Dr. Mike Barnett, Boston College; Mr. Frank Reece, The Urban Ecology Institute; Dr. Tracey Hall, Center for Applied Special Technologies), this grant focused on the development and study of an urban ecology curriculum that engages youth in science by providing a locally relevant, field-based course for urban high school students. During the 2008-2009 school year, we piloted the curriculum with approximately thirty-five teachers in Boston, NYC, Chicago, San Diego, and Tucson to evaluate the effectiveness of the curriculum as well as how as different factors (e.g. teachers adaptations and features of the curriculum) impacted student learning.
