Human development researchers consider adolescence a rich time for interest development and identity exploration. A relatively new movement in the Free-Choice Learning (FCL) arena, the Maker movement, offers learners interest-driven, experiential, often collaborative, and process-oriented activities ranging from game design (computer-based and otherwise) and robotics, to sewing LEDs into clothing...
The purpose of this study was to locate and analyze experimental
studies of teacher training that tested elements of Bandura's
social learning theory. Bandura's theory emphasizes the role of
modeling in the acquisition of new modes of interpersonal behavior,
and it also provides for the integration of practice and feedback...
Due to the overwhelming concern for the current state of our oceans, The Pew Ocean Commission (2003) and the U.S. Commission on Ocean policy (2004), have both strongly recommended an increase in our society’s ocean literacy. An increase in ocean literacy can be achieved through informal education institutions such as...
In this study I discuss the state of Free-Choice Learning research, and an investigation into the use of personal ubiquitous technology on visitors' experiences at a science center. The three manuscripts included in this document:
1. Review published research on free-choice learning from 1997-2007 from selected journals
2. Examine visitors'...
Recent state and national standards have increased the interest in engineering at the K-12 level. Science standards, in particular, have begun to make the case for including engineering throughout the K-12 scope of study. Despite the increased attention to engineering, the characteristics and uniqueness of the field of engineering are...
The majority of research in environmental education (EE) has focused on measuring knowledge, attitudes, and behavior using quantitative tools and methods. Few studies have attempted to elicit and characterize children's conceptions of the environment or nature, particularly those resulting from a residential EE experience, which contextualize knowledge, attitudes, and may...
The purpose of this report is to provide a mid-way evaluation document. This report serves as a record of project status and a set of recommendations for consideration. It is intended to facilitate reflective and adaptive process so that the BID collaborative can renew the project plan and optimize project...
This exploratory investigation aimed to identify preservice science teachers' conceptions of the nature of science (NOS), and worldviews that represent their culturally dependent beliefs about the world, in the context of Taiwan. The interrelationships between the responses elicited from both the assessments of NOS understandings and worldviews were examined. Participants...
This final evaluation report shares findings from the summative evaluation study of the Connected Science Learning: Linking In-School and Out-ofSchool STEM Learning (CSL) journal as well as themes that emerged across the broader three-year evaluation study. The ongoing study was conducted by researchers at the Center for Research on Lifelong...
This dissertation consists of a set of three manuscripts exploring features of effective professional development (PD) for science teacher educators. Literature about context-specific PD for science teacher educators is sparse. The first manuscript, a literature review, outlines theoretical lenses through which PD can be understood, the features of effective PD,...