College of Education and Human Development George Mason University Science Education News Spring 2005

Science Education Leadership years of support including tuition, coaches, New Doctoral Cohort Fall 2004 and mentors. Dr. Donna R. Sterling is lead investigator, Dr. Anastasia Kitsantas serves The Science Education Leadership (SEL) as program evaluator, and Dr. Wendy program welcomes a new group of doctoral Frazier is the program manager. For more students. These science teachers come from information please check online at: four Virginia school divisions and represent http://gse.gmu.edu/centersoffices/crest/resea elementary, middle, and high school. rchprograms/nstsn.htm

Congratulations Dr. Olkin Virginia Earth Science Collaborative

Arlene Olkin completed her dissertation In an effort to support Virginia teachers’ Outcomes of a Science Teacher licensure in Earth Science (the greatest Development Program for Middle-level science shortage area in Virginia), nine Interdisciplinary Teams: Relationships colleges and universities, two non profit Among Teachers’ Beliefs, School Contexts, organizations, and 71 school divisions have and Implementation. partnered to develop coursework designed to improve the quality of Earth Science New Science Teachers’ Support Network instruction as well as meet licensure requirements for teaching, thus increasing The New Science Teachers’ Support the number of highly qualified Earth Science Network (NSTSN) is a collaboration of teachers. GMU’s Donna Sterling (CREST George Mason University, Fairfax County and lead investigator), Dr. Rick Diecchio Public Schools, and Prince William County (Environmental Science and Policy), and Dr. Public Schools to conduct research on an Wendy Frazier (CREST) are designated integrated support system for provisionally investigators on this project. This summer, licensed science teachers in secondary two courses, Physical Geology I and schools. The goals of NSTSN are to help Oceanography, will be offered at GMU. beginning teachers succeed at teaching and Next summer, two courses, Virginia remain in the profession, thus helping to Geology and Astronomy, will be offered. reduce the teacher shortage in secondary This statewide initiative is being led by the schools. The program, which is funded by Mathematics and Science Center in the National Science Foundation, provides Richmond, VA. For more information go to: provisionally licensed teachers with two http://VirginiaEarthScience.info Science Camp – Motor Mania SEL Faculty and Student June 27-July 8, 2005 Presentations and Publications

Middle school students get very excited Donna R. Sterling (2005, January). about science when they do problem-based Assessing understanding. Science Scope learning, when the problem extends over 28(4), 33-37. several weeks. They feel that they are acting like scientists and they are! Motor Mania is Wendy M. Frazier & Silvana M.Watson the theme of camp this summer where (2005, January). Training Teachers to Teach student scientists will investigate automotive Science For All Students. Association for engineering and safety as they design, build Science Teacher Education International and test car models. Students will use Conference, Denver, CO. multiple forms of technology and visit scientists in their labs. The experience will Juanita Jo Matkins (formerly of CREST), conclude with a Grand Prix Challenge. Donna R. Sterling, Mollianne George, and Space is limited to 24 students on a first- Wendy Frazier (2004, December). A come, first-served basis. For registration Survival Guide for Provisionally Licensed information, go to Teachers. National Science Teachers http://gse.gmu.edu/centersoffices/crest/camp Association Regional Conference, Richmond, VA. Awards Wendy M. Frazier & Charleene E.Fleener Erin E. Peters received Honorable Mention (2004, December). Growing Inquiry at the American Association for the Through Poetry. National Science Teachers Advancement of Science 2005 Student Association Regional Conference, Poster Competition for her poster entitled, Richmond, VA. Student Work Analysis to Develop Teacher Knowledge of Inquiry Science. Erin E. Peters (2004, December). Reforming Cookbook Labs into Critical Thinking Labs. Donna R. Sterling received the Science Virginia Association Science Teachers Educator of the Year Award from the Conference, Richmond, VA. Virginia Association of Science Teachers in December 2004. Erin E. Peters (2004, September). Maximizing Student Time-On-Task. Erin E. Peters received a Virginia Science Scope. Association of Science Teachers Recognition Award for Middle School Linda Peterson-Chin & Donna R. Sterling Science in December 2004. (2004, April). Looking at density from different perspectives. Science Scope 27(7), Erin E. Peters was awarded National Board 16-20. Certification for Early Adolescent Science in November 2004. Melissa C. Sleeper & Donna R. Sterling (2004, March). The in-class science Bill Van Evera received the Doctoral exhibition. Science Scope 27(6), 49-52. Dissertation Award from GSE in May 2004. Student Funding New Name for Education at GMU

CREST actively seeks to support science The College of Education and Human education students. Development (CEHD) is the new name for the Graduate School of Education (GSE).  Linda Chin received the 2004-2005 This new name better represents our CEHD SEL Master’s Degree $500 undergraduate and graduate programs. Student Fellowship Award.  Molli George received a graduate research Assistant Director of CREST assistantship to conduct research on the New Science Teachers’ Support Network, Wendy Frazier joined CREST as the an NSF funded research program in Assistant Director. Her interests focus on CREST. She has also received a GMU elementary and secondary science teacher student travel award for $350 and a training, equity issues in science education, NSTSN travel award for $500 to present and integrated science curriculum research at the National Science Teachers development to support extended student Association Conference in Dallas, TX. investigations. Wendy can be contacted at:  Jennifer Hansen received a graduate [email protected], 703-993-2043 research assistantship to conduct research on the New Science Teachers’ Support New Secondary Education Coordinator Network.  Omar Qargha received a graduate Kabba E. Colley is Associate Professor of research assistantship to conduct research Science Education and Program Coordinator on the New Science Teachers’ Support for Secondary Education at George Mason Network. University. His research interests focus on  Manish Thakur received a graduate project-based science instruction, gender research assistantship to be the CREST issues in science education, after-school webmaster. science programs, science curriculum evaluation and science teacher researchers. Alumni Accolades [email protected], 703-993-4817

Amy Bordeaux works for the Federal CREST Bureau of Investigation designing professional development and training The Center for Restructuring Education in initiatives for the Counterterrorism Division. Science and Technology (CREST) at George Mason University, focuses on providing Alfred Hall is Project Director of the quality science, mathematics, and Memphis Urban Systemic Program technology education from early childhood (MUSP), a National Science Foundation through adulthood. For more information initiative for the Memphis City Schools. about CREST check online at: http://gse.gmu.edu/centersoffices/crest/

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